I’ve found that the existence of Zappos has changed my life.
Well, maybe my shoe-buying life.
Another random question: what is the best way to fight constant constipation?
Ground flaxseed meal, oat bran. But start small. Read up on it and when contraindicated. Drink lots of water.
I just happen to be upping my fiber, got this recommendation from nutritionist. She said 2 parts F to one part OB. 1-2 T/day. Friend mentioned your issue and says she takes just the flaxseed meal.
Also eat lots of fruits and veggies regularly–and exercise. Helps keep things moving.
@3bm103, a daily probiotic (I like Culturelle) in addition to increasing fiber as suggested already, and 8+ glasses of water along with whatever else you drink, should help a great deal.
When extra fiber, fluids, fruits, etc didn’t work for me, my doctor suggested I try something called Natural Calm. I bought it on Amazon but recently saw it at our local CVS. It’s a magnesium supplement that is taken once/day mixed with hot or cold water. I started with a small amount and worked up over 7-10 days until I found just the right amount. It really helped me a lot.
Go see a gastroenterologist.
Actually, I agree with MoD. The self stuff is if you’ve already been discussing this with a doc, know it isn’t more serious.
Taking any medications? The answer may be different.
@VeryHappy , no, I don’t know what size she wears. But I think they are smaller than the standard display size.
@3bm103 , metformin. 
Seriously, I’m just kidding. How about Psyllium and a lot of water?
Why do cats love to jump after strings? They resemble mouse tails?
Sounds like culturelle is the best best. Have tried stool softeners and suppositories. Have been to Gastroenteroloist. THis is due to high amount of opiods which I cannot get off
Favorite way to remove pet hair from clothes/bed/couch? Non-fluffy pet just isn’t the same 
OPIOID- induced constipation is caused by the opioid binding to certain receptors in the gut causing decreased peristalsis and inhibiting fluid secretion into the gut.
Ideally, laxative therapy should start simultaneously when opioids are first prescribed. It’s gonna happen. 90 percent of people on chronic opioid meds have constipation.
To increase peristalsis the best thing is to take either senna (1 or 2 tablets twice daily)
OR Bisacodyl (1 or 2 tabs daily).
To get more water into the bowel there is Polyethlene Glycol (Miralax ,Glycolax) OR Magnesium salts (Magnesium Citrate, or Magnesium Hydroxide (400-800mg daily). There is also lactulose but it tastes awful.
AVOID BULK-FORMING laxatives like psyllium (Metamucil, flax seed). It may actually be HARMFUL in this instance.
Stool softeners have been shown to have NO effect in this case. They simply don’t work.
There are other drugs that also contribute to constipation–Ca channel blockers, some antihistamines, some anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, oral iron (and probably many others). If you take a number of meds and have to take opioids then have doc or pharmacist go over the list–maybe something can be changed.
Just in the past year some prescription alternatives have been introduced if nothing else works.
I could never become an opioid addict (barring something like cancer or the like) because it just does such a number on my GI system. I don’t know how people cope, even with medications to address it.
Nrds–A major problem is that people give up pain relief because (of all things) constipation gets in the way. There has been some progress in research and drug availability (but of course it’s all expensive now). Soon I hope there will be answers.
I’ve learned this stuff because my mom suffered. She had colo-rectal cancer. I didn’t learn soon enough to really help her but I’ve studied up on the subject ever since. We did a lot of wrong things along the way. Just hope someone benefits. My PSA.
Is there a “med” thread?
@gouf78, yes, I’m aware of that. I’m a nurse, and I know that people will sometimes give up on good pain relief because they’ve dealt with the constipation in the past. More often, they are worried about becoming addicted.
We really could benefit from a good pain medicine that has few adverse effects, and zero abuse/addiction potential. That would be a major medical breakthrough.
Well, some are hoping ingested forms of THC may help with that, but quality control over ingestables remains very challenging, I’ve heard.
@Himom, I have chronic pain issues, and as it stands, I could not use any THC products if I plan to continue working. As a nurse, I’m subject to random drug screens, and as far as I know, there are no Boards of Nursing that will not take action against a nurse reported for a positive THC drug screen. It’s not even clear that this would change if marijuana products were made legal on a federal level.
It’s frustrating.