10 replies to this topic

[hammer of dusk]

Has anyone tried peppermint oil pills for med-induced constipation?

I'm already drinking tons of water and fiber supplements and still having to use (non-stimulant) laxatives every other week. No luck with "stool softeners" really. A friend of mine says peppermint oil pills work well for this, but they're kind of expensive. Just wondering if anyone's tried or heard of this working.

[dymphna]

Has anyone tried peppermint oil pills for med-induced constipation?

I'm already drinking tons of water and fiber supplements and still having to use (non-stimulant) laxatives every other week. No luck with "stool softeners" really. A friend of mine says peppermint oil pills work well for this, but they're kind of expensive. Just wondering if anyone's tried or heard of this working.

Don't go near peppermint oil if you have migraine.

Compounding pharmacists use peppermint to mask the taste of damn near everything. But they can't use it on migraine meds, because it is one of the few things that will absolutely make them worse.

Have you tried plain old dates and prunes?


Dymphna

[Blue Heron]

I tried it, and had an allergic reaction. Not worth it.

[notfred]

Peppermint relaxes the muscle that functions as a valve (sphincter) between the stomach and intestine. That is why peppermint is given at the end of the meal, to ease the process of movement of food through. It's not going to help your problem

Adding fiber once you are stopped up is not a good always idea. It's a good idea to use to prevent constipation. Stool softeners can take 3 days to work, that is the best first line treatment. Laxatives are OK short term, the one you want has been OTC for a few years, Miralax.

nf

Edited by notfred, 05 October 2011 - 02:19 PM.

[Myshkin]

Magnesia has always been my preferred aid. You can up the dosage to 1500 mg which should make it happen. Has kept me pretty happy for all my many years with constipation due to crazy meds.

[hammer of dusk]

Don't go near peppermint oil if you have migraine.

Compounding pharmacists use peppermint to mask the taste of damn near everything. But they can't use it on migraine meds, because it is one of the few things that will absolutely make them worse.

Have you tried plain old dates and prunes?

Oh wow. Thanks so much for letting me know--I would never have guessed. I really dislike prunes but maybe that's the way to go. Put them in a smoothie or something.

(Edit to add: Hmm, I wonder how they give Maxalt Melt that god-awful "minty-fresh" flavour, unless it's a grand conspiracy to get you buying more. )

Peppermint relaxes the muscle that functions as a valve (sphincter) between the stomach and intestine. That is why peppermint is given at the end of the meal, to ease the process of movement of food through. It's not going to help your problem

Adding fiber once you are stopped up is not a good always idea. It's a good idea to use to prevent constipation. Stool softeners can take 3 days to work, that is the best first line treatment. Laxatives are OK short term, the one you want has been OTC for a few years, Miralax.

nf

Thanks for the explanation, NotFred! I guess I'll try stool softeners again, daily for a while.

It's so worth it not to be whaleshit depressed, but kind of a pain in the ass. Literally even. (Ugh, sorry.)

Edited by hammer of dusk, 05 October 2011 - 04:28 PM.

[hammer of dusk]

Magnesia has always been my preferred aid. You can up the dosage to 1500 mg which should make it happen. Has kept me pretty happy for all my many years with constipation due to crazy meds.

As in Milk of Magnesia? That's been my go-to laxative.. How often do you take it (if it's okay to ask)? The main thing is you have to take it at least two hours before or after gabapentin, so the spacing can get kind of tricky when I'm ideally meant to be taking gabapentin every 4 hours. Still, good to know--thanks!

Edited by hammer of dusk, 05 October 2011 - 04:23 PM.

[dymphna]

Ever notice that Maxalt doesn't work?


D

[notfred]

Thanks for the explanation, NotFred! I guess I'll try stool softeners again, daily for a while.

No problem. I took care of dad toward the end and he was on loads of opiates. The home hospice nurse gave me the run down on how to deal with med induced constipation.

nf

[hammer of dusk]

Ever notice that Maxalt doesn't work?

Weirdly enough it's the most effective triptan for me, whether in pill or melty form. Maybe I'm one of the lucky/weird few.

[Sweetest1]

You could also try Senna leaf tea with licorice. Works great for me.