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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Verapamil and Contipation
        
(Message started by: Kenzie60 on May 4^th, 2003, 3:36pm)

Title: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by Kenzie60 on May 4^th, 2003, 3:36pm

:( :( :(

I know that this has probably been addressed before on here and I searched the archives and can not find anything. I have been on 480 mg of Verapamil for a week and am very constipatated. Any advice?

Roseanne

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by Frank on May 4^th, 2003, 3:52pm

I have also been on 480mg verapamil for a couple of years... does not affect me that way though.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by domm on May 4^th, 2003, 8:04pm

Roseanne - I had the same problem with Vera. Had to change my diet to include lots and lots of roughage. It seemed to eventually go away, but it was weeks before I got normal again. The PFDANs were worth it, though.
Good luck
domm

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by eyes_afire on May 4^th, 2003, 8:11pm

Hi Roseanne. As Domm sez, eat much more fiber (like bran cereal). Also drink natural apple juice. If that doesn't do it, then ya have to go for the nukes.... good ol fashioned prune juice (or prunes). Tastes yucky but is THE best natural laxative.
Hope that helps.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by Karla on May 4^th, 2003, 8:23pm

My dr. recomended Docusate Sodium. I take the maxium dosage allowed 400mg in am and 400mg in pm. This is a stool softner. My dr. recomended that I start out at 100mg in am and 100mg in pm and work my dosage up to 400mg as needed. My dr. said go no longer than 3 days with no bowl movement and then add a laxative for that day. You can find this over the counter at walgreens or another pharmacy. If you have any further questions you should talk to your dr. about this.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by Bob P on May 5^th, 2003, 8:23am

If you look at the verapamil survey results at the OUCH site, you'll see that constipation is the most common side effect. My next bout the doc is going to have to give me an industrial strength laxative to go with the verap.

Title: Re: Verapamil and Contipation
Post by BILLY on May 13^th, 2003, 10:09am

I thought this Verapamil link was pretty good as it addressed this issue:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2200/2263.asp?index=9201

Constipation can be prevented/helped by doing two or more of the following:

Drink eight 8oz glasses of water daily.
Increase the fiber in your diet to 20- 35 grams each day. Start reading labels. High fiber foods include: beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, brussel sprouts, cabbage and carrots.
Daily exercise
Take a fiber laxative such as Metamucil, Citrucil or fiber-all.
Eat stewed prunes of drink prune juice.