I just started the alli plan and am a little worried.  I'm on vicodin for chronic back pain and I know from friends that with Alli you tend to move out the fat.  My question is, the vic. tends to make me constipated.  Will this prevent the Alli from working or will things just pile up until I explode?

Beth

I have taken Vicodin with Alli and have had no issues ... still have back/pain issues but no problem taking my prescribed medication with Alli.

Hi Beth,

I recommend that you check-in on the pharmacists board for medication interation questions.

The keys to preventing constipation are:

• Fat - if you have not been reaching your fat goal at each meal this could be contributing to the problem. Many people find relief once they reach their fat goal.
• Iron - if your multivitamin has iron in it you will want to change to one without iron if you are not iron deficient
• Fiber - many people do not get enough fiber in their diet. You can take a supplement like Metamucil to help with this.
• Fluid - without enough fluid, your fiber intake will not matter. The fluid is going to help you go so try for 64 oz per day, with at least half from water
• Binding foods - the BRATT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, tea and toast) is used to treat diarrhea because it is binding. Cut these foods out until you are regular again. Cheese can also cause a problem so limit that for now.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Betty Kovacs, MS, RD

Hi Beth,

Believe me you will not explode! :) I too take Norco10/325 a Hydrocodone product on occassion as I had my 3rd back surgery in 2005. I had  a right hemi laminectomy and dicectomy of L4-L5 and S1. Consitpation can happen with these products but it seems increasing my activity and eating more fruits and vegtables really helps control this. Myalli for me, has not caused any problems other than the occassional side effects taht we all know about, mainly it happens for me when I over indulge. Good Luck on your journey with alli, hope you don't hit too many rocks in the road!

Chris