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Suggest Treatment For Severe Constipation While On Epilepsy Medication
Question: My uncle has a serious constipation problem (not refreshing for 10~12 days). All tests (colonoscopy) indications are normal. He is 72. He takes strong epilepsy medication (epilive). Is that the cause and how can it be treated. He is also weak and frail
Brief Answer:
Constipation is not a common side effect of Epilive.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
Though some have reported constipation with Epilive,however, it is not a common side effect of Levetiracetam(Epilive).
I would like to know that since when he is taking Epilive?If he is taking it from a long time back and constipation is just 10-12 days old,then it is unlikely to be due to Epilive.
Does he have any other gastrointestinal related disorder or any other medical illness?
If yes,please tell the details.
Meanwhile,please let him continue taking high fluids intake and high fiber diet.
Syrup Lactulose can be taken as it has a good efficacy.
Please be in follow-up with more details,as asked.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Constipation is not a common side effect of Epilive.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist,here to answer your query.
Though some have reported constipation with Epilive,however, it is not a common side effect of Levetiracetam(Epilive).
I would like to know that since when he is taking Epilive?If he is taking it from a long time back and constipation is just 10-12 days old,then it is unlikely to be due to Epilive.
Does he have any other gastrointestinal related disorder or any other medical illness?
If yes,please tell the details.
Meanwhile,please let him continue taking high fluids intake and high fiber diet.
Syrup Lactulose can be taken as it has a good efficacy.
Please be in follow-up with more details,as asked.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Panwar,
Thanks for your reply.
He has been taking Epilive for about 4~5 years and before that he has been on one epilepsy medicine or the other. His constipation has become much worse during the last 2~3 years. He has had colonoscopy done 2~3 times during the last two years but the results are always normal. What else could be the reason? and what are the treatment options. He takes a homeopathic medicine called yellow tab that helps to some extent. He is too weak for his age and the doctors put him on TB medication for the last 6 months which he just completed. Doctors were not sure if he had TB or not. They just put him on the TB medication based on the symptoms. His condition has not really improved. He also had full body MRI and other blood tests done but everything comes out normal.
Thanks.
Thanks for your reply.
He has been taking Epilive for about 4~5 years and before that he has been on one epilepsy medicine or the other. His constipation has become much worse during the last 2~3 years. He has had colonoscopy done 2~3 times during the last two years but the results are always normal. What else could be the reason? and what are the treatment options. He takes a homeopathic medicine called yellow tab that helps to some extent. He is too weak for his age and the doctors put him on TB medication for the last 6 months which he just completed. Doctors were not sure if he had TB or not. They just put him on the TB medication based on the symptoms. His condition has not really improved. He also had full body MRI and other blood tests done but everything comes out normal.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Blood sugar/Thyroid function tests
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Here we have to rule out the common causes first, not thinking straightaway that Epilive is causing his constipation.
Please get the following investigations done-
1)Blood sugar(fasting and post prandial)
2)Thyroid function tests
Further,please undertake the following measures which will help improve his constipation-
1)Give him plenty of water(at least 3 litres a day) and fiber in diet.
2)Limit overuse of laxatives temporarily for about 2 weeks.We want to see if Laxative overuse is not the reason for his refractory constipation.Give them only when absolutely needed.
3)Limit the intake of dairy products like milk,butter etc.
4)Promote his physical activity like brisk walk everyday for about 30 minutes.
5)Add fruits and vegetables in diet.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Blood sugar/Thyroid function tests
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Here we have to rule out the common causes first, not thinking straightaway that Epilive is causing his constipation.
Please get the following investigations done-
1)Blood sugar(fasting and post prandial)
2)Thyroid function tests
Further,please undertake the following measures which will help improve his constipation-
1)Give him plenty of water(at least 3 litres a day) and fiber in diet.
2)Limit overuse of laxatives temporarily for about 2 weeks.We want to see if Laxative overuse is not the reason for his refractory constipation.Give them only when absolutely needed.
3)Limit the intake of dairy products like milk,butter etc.
4)Promote his physical activity like brisk walk everyday for about 30 minutes.
5)Add fruits and vegetables in diet.
If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. Panwar,
Thanks for your follow up.
He does have diabetes but he checks his sugar routinely. Does diabetes have a role to play in his constipation or being weak?
His thyroid has been checked and it comes normal.
He is too weak to walk 30 minutes.
We do try to give him plenty of water.
Does dairy products help or worsen the constipation?
Thanks
Thanks for your follow up.
He does have diabetes but he checks his sugar routinely. Does diabetes have a role to play in his constipation or being weak?
His thyroid has been checked and it comes normal.
He is too weak to walk 30 minutes.
We do try to give him plenty of water.
Does dairy products help or worsen the constipation?
Thanks
Brief Answer:
Diabetes causes autonomic neuropathy,resulting in bowel disturbances.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Diabetes causes autonomic neuropathy,which can result in constipation.This is a common complication of Diabetes.Proper control of Blood sugar should be ensured.You should get a latest fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin(hba1c).
Dairy products may worsen constipation.
For now,please try to make lifestyle and dietary changes for him,as we discussed above and observe for the response.
If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Diabetes causes autonomic neuropathy,resulting in bowel disturbances.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for being in follow-up.
Diabetes causes autonomic neuropathy,which can result in constipation.This is a common complication of Diabetes.Proper control of Blood sugar should be ensured.You should get a latest fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin(hba1c).
Dairy products may worsen constipation.
For now,please try to make lifestyle and dietary changes for him,as we discussed above and observe for the response.
If you have some further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.
Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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