Probiotics?

[drgirlfriend]

Hey y'all,

I don't know if this is the best category for this question, but I'd like to know if anyone takes/has taken any probiotic product for digestive issues. The boyfriend has always had constipation problems, even before dialysis, and as you know that's a big deal on pd. He takes Miralax but it tastes terrible and causes other issues. Nopalina is difficult to take if you can't eat yogurt or oatmeal every day. I've tried adding Hi-Maize to things but it isn't enough. Help!

[monrein]

I take a multi-strain probiotic once a day with my neph's approval but I'm transplanted now. 

[Lexxtech18]

I'm also interested in this thread as I get very constipated and don't know what to take, besides Miralax and that never seems to help.  Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning was helping me there for a little while, but not anymore. :/

[monrein]

Chia seeds are very high in fiber and have other benefits as well.  I started using them instead of psyllium fiber when I was on D since I couldn't drink all of the water required by the psyllium husk.  You should ask your doctor's opinion first though.

http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3061/2

[drgirlfriend]

monrein - I will check the chia out, but they are high in phosphorus.
Lexxtech18 - Keep in mind that the boyfriend does pd not hemo, but if you can fit yogurt or smoothies or oatmeal into your diet, Nopalina is highly recommended by our clinic. I have tried it and it will clean you out! The boyfriend takes Miralax every other day but it's unpredictable. Say, is that a Journey quote under your picture?

I think I'll contact the pd nurse about chia and probiotics. I'll let y'all know what he says.

[thegrammalady]

colace! wonderful stuff. rather expensive but there is a generic. over the counter and available at safeway, walmart, etc.

[Lexxtech18]

@drgirlfriend - love your screen name, btw. and yes it is Journey lyrics, I have the same ones tattooed on my back.

I was eating Activia yogurt twice a day for awhile and it helped a little. But it's a bit expensive for yogurt. Lol

[Rain]

I started taking probiotic pills since last year after two cases of food poisoning left me with digestion issues.  I am current on hemo.  I got my doc approval with no issues. 

[Razman]

  Here  are  copies of some email that I had from my  dietitian and pharmacist regarding constipation.  I  hope  they  help. 

Hi David, sorry for the very late response.  Our main concern with the Benefiber is that the powder needs to be taken with extra fluid and many renal patients are restricted in fluids.  Since you are not restricted in fluids, this would be OK for you to use at this time from my perspective.  Chicory does not seem to be a concern either (see excerpt below from ‘Natural Medicines Database’).  I will forward this message to one of our pharmacists to see if there are any concerns from her perspective.  There are other medications that are routinely used in the renal population which can be prescribed for constipation - the pharmacist could give you the names of these as well.
Regards,;   Diane , RD   


Hi Dave,
We agree with Diane's comments.  The constipation meds we routinely use for our renal patients are docusate sodium up to 1 capsule 2 times a day ("Colace" or "Surfak" are common brand names), sennosides up to 1 to 2 tablets daily ("Senokot") and lactulose syrup up to 30ml dailiy.   The docusate is not really a laxative, but a stool softener that when used regularly, may minimize the need for laxatives for some people.  All of these can be purchased without a prescription.
 
Hope this helps.,  Aflora, BScPhm, RPh

[drgirlfriend]

Thanks for all the input!
The boyfriend does take Colase in addition to Miralax. That tells you how bad the problem is! However, it isn't bad enough for Lactulose. That is the roto-rooter of constipation.

[Lexxtech18]

Oh! I just remembered that when I was on PD, I got really constipated at one point and it clogged my cath. (all together now: EWWWW!) But my PD nurse suggested I take a stool softner or laxative only with senna. As we all know magnesium is toxic to kidney patients. So I got some Senokot at Walgreens. It took FOREVER to work, but it did... eventually.

Also, I'm not sure if it's okay for dialysis patients or not, but I've heard Acai berry is good for constipation. They sell it in pill form and juice.