Constipation is an issue, partly because of my pain medicine but also just in general. What can I do about constipation?

There are many ways to deal with constipation. To begin with, your diet can help. You need to try and eat foods that help keep your bowels regular, including everything from fiber and bran, to fresh or dried fruits. You need to drink a lot of water, more than you probably did before. Exercise, even just a short daily walk, can help.

There are medications for constipation. They start with stool softeners, like Colace, and progress to laxatives like milk of magnesia, mineral oil, Dulcolax, and others that your doctor can prescribe. You should be taking something regularly, which your doctor should recommend.

If you are very constipated, there are suppositories and enemas available over the counter. You need to discuss this with your doctor to make sure you don’t get a serious blockage.

It is best to try and keep to a good diet the whole time, and use the milder medicines early, so that you don’t need to use the stronger ones later. However, if you need enemas and suppositories, they do work. But you need to check with your doctor first.