#794320 - 10/29/08 05:57 PM
Pain meds and stomach problems
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DolphinDreamer
Newbie
Registered: 12/27/07
Posts: 38
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Does anyone who takes pain meds daily have problems with constipation alot?
Is this normal?
I started taking some fiber one with it but it's not as regular as it was a year ago.
And i can't go to my doctor and say yea I can't use the bathroom because I have been ordering pain meds online because you refuse to prescribe me any for pain.
That's why when hubby brings up the doctor i say, nah he can't do anything.
I have constant rib and back pain.
The back pain got worse 2 weeks ago.
And, if you take 6-8 pills per day it that too many that could cause liver, kidney or colon problems.
I have been searching the boards and web for answers, but haven't found too many..
TIA
TIA
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#794329 - 10/29/08 06:27 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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funkybreakz
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/24/04
Posts: 1307
Loc: My Living Room
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And, if you take 6-8 pills per day it that too many that could cause liver, kidney or colon problems.
I have been searching the boards and web for answers, but haven't found too many..
TIA
TIA
if they are 10/325 even at 8 you are at 2.6 grams of apap. well below the recommended max dose of 4 grams. if they are 10/500. you are at max dose at 8 pills. probably not the healthiest to take day in and day out... but if you are healthy with no liver problems, i have heard other docs say the 4 grams is a conservative number...
maybe chem could chime in?
_________________________
cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile, nothin left to do but smile smile smile!
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#794354 - 10/29/08 07:10 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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nephro
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/04/06
Posts: 8817
Loc: UK, despite the rumours
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Does anyone who takes pain meds daily have problems with constipation alot?
Is this normal?
I started taking some fiber one with it but it's not as regular as it was a year ago.
And i can't go to my doctor and say yea I can't use the bathroom because I have been ordering pain meds online because you refuse to prescribe me any for pain.
That's why when hubby brings up the doctor i say, nah he can't do anything.
I have constant rib and back pain.
The back pain got worse 2 weeks ago.
And, if you take 6-8 pills per day it that too many that could cause liver, kidney or colon problems.
I have been searching the boards and web for answers, but haven't found too many..
TIA
TIA
If your constipation is opioid-induced (which is not only normal, but virtually inevitable for long-tern opioid use), you may wish to consider lactulose. It is not a stimulant laxative, but works by osmosis, so can be used long-term without the problems associated with stimulant laxatives. Indeed, it's used frequently for opioid-induced constipation, and is OTC in the UK.
The pain you describe may be due to the constipation, such as inflammation of the colon, or possibly the small intestine due to paralytic ileus. Keep an eye out for mucus or blood in the stool, but even if you don't wish to divulge certain info to your GP, it would be wise to report this pain.
It's really worth trying to avoid such intestinal problems, as they can last for many years, if not for life, if you let them get out of hand.
Would it be possible for you to see a different doctor, or at least speak to another medical professional?
The fibre-rich diet sounds like a good start, as is drinking lots or water. I hope you can get some treatment on this.
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#794376 - 10/29/08 07:51 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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ff66
Journeyman
Registered: 08/08/07
Posts: 66
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DolphinDreamer,
I take a fairly high dose of oxy daily and suffered, and I mean SUFFERED from constipation. Increasing fiber and taking docusate did nothing, nor did stimulants like exlax. My doc scripted me miralax which works wonders. I only have to use it about every 3 days and stay fairly regular. I mix it with orange juice and it is completely tasteless. Miralax is available OTC and is a little pricey but well worth it. I agree an occasional fleet enema would help if things get bad.
Good Luck,
ff
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#794600 - 10/30/08 06:45 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: funkybreakz]
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patient2all
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 05/16/02
Posts: 3473
Loc: usa
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buy some docusate sodium at the drug store. stool softener that can be taken daily. unlike most laxatives. although it is a bit pricey. my PM was nice enough to script it for me so i get 30/month for 5 dollars. you will thank me after 3-4 days of taking it
Excellent answer. Except Funkybreakz, what's your definition of 'pricey'?
When my MIL got Percocet after surgery, she had horrible problems. I got the store brand, same ingredients (just says stool softenter). It couldn't have been more than $6.00 for 100 and there was a 'buy one get one free' offer.
That's roughly the price anywhere for 'stool softener' which it OTC everywhere, AFAIK. Same ingredients, store vs. brand.
I see OTC 'stool softeners' also contain 8.6mg of Sennosides (Nephro,  ) in addition to 50mg of the docusate sodium per capsule. I'm assuming that is standard, but don't want to assume....
-----
Another excellent piece of advice came from Nephro right above.
1) Get it checked out by your Doctor. You needn't mention opioids. Your problem is quite common in people of all ages.
In fact, after I had my gall bladder out, I was given Percocet and thought I was going to die. Nephro suggested Lactulose, for which I'll be forever grateful.
While it is OTC in the UK, it's Rx in the USA (of course), but any Doctor should be willing to Rx it. My US Doctor didn't realize it was Rx, so suggested I just get it at the drugstore 
Since I didn't want to go back to the jerk to argue that Lactulose is Rx, I ordered it from a legitimate Canadian pharmacy where it is OTC. I did get a phone call from the Canadian Pharmacist to make sure I wasn't a "laxative abuser" (I had never thought there were such until I read of "super-models").
Since the gall bladder removal combined with a rare disease that's might be 'triggered' by fried or high-fat foods, I greatly modified my diet and rarely require Lactulose or Stool Softener anymore. However, now and then I mess up on my diet. When I 'mess up', either/both work like a charm.
Still, get it checked out as Nephro suggests (Lower GI Series?). Your health is too important to simply attribute it to opiates or let your Doctor blow it off as because you use opioid meds. Myself, I don't have that issue when taking hydro, but we are all different. However, if I take any codeine 2 days in a row, I do get in trouble. A shame..... So much codeine sitting around here, so little use for it 
Actually, my wife takes the low dose codeine products though I watch her consumption since I don't want her to suffer that near universal side effect of codeine use.
Good luck,
patient2all
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#794619 - 10/30/08 07:32 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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moodylee
Member
Registered: 03/23/05
Posts: 111
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i was at the absolute worst point with constipation ,i had to literly break it up,and shovel it out by hand,it was disqusting and horrible.finally, my doc put me on miralax,you can buy it over the counter,or if money is tight,you also can get a perscription for it. it works wonders,it actually puts water back in the bowel.
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#794655 - 10/30/08 08:23 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: moodylee]
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merrill613
Journeyman
Registered: 10/02/08
Posts: 59
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TMI wow-you were majorily impacted!! that cannot be good. I experinced similar-I say eat your prunes avery day.
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#794675 - 10/30/08 08:45 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: Linrue]
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funkybreakz
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 01/24/04
Posts: 1307
Loc: My Living Room
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i was at the absolute worst point with constipation ,i had to literly break it up,and shovel it out by hand,it was disqusting and horrible.finally, my doc put me on miralax,you can buy it over the counter,or if money is tight,you also can get a perscription for it. it works wonders,it actually puts water back in the bowel. I was getting ready to head out for lunch but I think I just lost all appetite.
This is a reality for many long term opiate users. He was just being honest. And I can guarantee he isn't the only one who has ever had to do this. His post may even comfort some that have had to do this very same thing and were worried about it.
Bad constipation is a reality for most on PKs...
Edited by funkybreakz (10/30/08 08:47 AM)
_________________________
cat on a tin roof, dogs in a pile, nothin left to do but smile smile smile!
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#795591 - 10/31/08 02:32 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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konagirl222
Journeyman
Registered: 12/16/03
Posts: 83
Loc: The 9th island
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I've been on daily narcotic pain meds for over 5 years. Constipation was the most common side effect. After several months of trial and error I found that enteric coated fish oil gels were the best solution for me. Walgreens house brand run about $10 for #200 bottle of 1000mg tabs which lasts about 3 months. I take 2-3 a day when I take a dose of my pain meds and things have been moving daily for over 4 years. For me they are the answer to this annoying side effect. The enteric coating keeps the "fishy" after taste away, and you will find nothing cheaper.
KG
_________________________
Life's most valuable lessons were indeed taught in kindergarten: play well with others, share, and always apologize,the rest will fall into place...
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#796264 - 11/01/08 05:38 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: DolphinDreamer]
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bdit
Threadhead
Registered: 02/23/07
Posts: 974
Loc: Mid South
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I have read that other medications should not be taken within 2 hours of a laxative as they may not be absorbed by the body. I would suggest researching whatever laxative you plan to take and then space it out between medications.
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#796407 - 11/01/08 11:44 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: pillar]
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nephro
GRAND Pooh-Bah
Registered: 09/04/06
Posts: 8817
Loc: UK, despite the rumours
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Senokot is a stimulant laxative, albeit a fairly gentle one. A doctor may supervise long-term use, but otherwise the manufacturer recommends no longer than 7 days.
Some of the most powerful purgatives are plant-based - jalap and cascara for example. It's marketing tactics. One manufacturer will promote "All-Natural" as being great, while another will denounce it, for example this one:
http://www.dulcolax.se/com/Main/Constipation/TreatmentOfConstipation/purgatives/index.htm
which tells you that non-standardised plant-based laxatives may cause cancer.
Senokot is a good product, but not because it's all-natural; rather because it's standardised and sensibly dosed.
Prevacid and Nexium are PPIs aren't they? They reduce the production of stomach acid, but aren't really laxatives. They made nausea and vomiting worse for me, which was what they were trying to control in the first place.
Edited by nephro (11/01/08 11:48 PM)
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#796555 - 11/02/08 08:57 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: nephro]
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Milvus
Member
Registered: 09/13/07
Posts: 104
Loc: the depths of East Asia
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I find papaya is good, and it's tasty. It grows all over the place here, so it's cheap as well. Persimmons are good too.
Edited by Milvus (11/02/08 09:00 AM)
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#799354 - 11/06/08 09:58 PM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: Milvus]
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rewfus22
Board Addict
Registered: 04/07/06
Posts: 342
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If you stop taking hydro you will have the opposite problem! cha cha cha!!!
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#799391 - 11/07/08 03:25 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: JokerOwling]
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whatsaywhat
Enthusiast
Registered: 07/30/07
Posts: 220
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JOKER!!!!
I WAS SITTING EATING MY BREAKFAST, AND HAD TO READ ABOUT YOUR GRANDMA'S ENEMAS?!? WTF?!?!
Just joking...
The best advice for constipation, is to stop taking opiates for a day or two... Just until you start to get uncomfortable.
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#799525 - 11/07/08 10:57 AM
Re: Pain meds and stomach problems
[Re: whatsaywhat]
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martind
Threadhead
Registered: 05/01/08
Posts: 816
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JOKER!!!!
I WAS SITTING EATING MY BREAKFAST, AND HAD TO READ ABOUT YOUR GRANDMA'S ENEMAS?!? WTF?!?!
Just joking...
The best advice for constipation, is to stop taking opiates for a day or two... Just until you start to get uncomfortable.
I think trying to address the constipation problems caused by opiate treatment by abruptly stopping the medication is very unwise. Especially if done repeatedly. Talk about out of the frying pan into the fire.
Since consistent treatment with opiates usually comes with the side effect of constipation, a better solution would be a change in diet and regular use of a stool softener such as Colace. Do read the precautions regarding Colace to be safe before using it.
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Moderator: Heidi, Melody
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maybe too well. i had to eat half of one because a whole one is too much. Lots of relief.
