Codeine constipation

Good old fashioned prunes.
Actually not old fashioned - there are some sold in sachets now, which are almost like sweets.

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Juliet27

Prune juice works for me

Oh yes! Sunsweet prune juice. In the US it always used to be my go-to for the whole family. One glass does the trick. Looks like motor oil but is lovely to drink.

Harder to get here unfortunately. Kiwis work OK though.

Dried Figs work but beware the sugar content!

I have Lactulose on prescription as my acid reflux tables cause constipation, you can buy it in the pharmacy too.

ON the subject of constipation I had a bad experience this morning, worst ever and really frightened me. Felt so unwell just got back into bed and have only just got out again. 4 pm. Still in pjs, frightened to eat ( no wish to add to the problem).
It’s like I was trying to give birth to a brick. Have been drinking water black tea etc all day as well as 3 sachets of the powder. All to no avail.
Constipation is really not funny. Not at all. No laughing
I said it’s not funny,

Definitely NOT trivial travels.

Sorry..
Have you erm... resolved the problem yet?

Not entirely [ shock] but thanks fir asking.

Oh no, I just saw what you wrote properly.
It is horrible, constipation.

westessexccg.nhs.uk/your-health/medicines-optimisation-and-pharmacy/clinical-guidelines-and-prescribing-formularies/01-gastro-intestinal-system/14-opioid-induced-constipation-pathway/file

This gives details of what is recommended by Essex NHS. To soften sodium ducosate combined with bisocodyl to act as a stimulant. Two products could be Dulcoease and Entrolax. As others have said plenty of fluids, fruit and vegetables especially green. I’ve been checking it out as I’m due a procedure soon and want to avoid constipation if possible.

www.dyno.com/prices

East and North Herts NHS also says to avoid bulk forming laxatives. I’m sorry I don’t have a link for this now.

I start the day with three prunes.

Thanks but I think I am past the prune stage....
I understand the principals but think MissAs suggestion is best, Dyno rod is what’s needed.

Chemists have just closed so will have to deal tomorrow,
I have a new bottle of dulcolax, wonder if it’s worth switching from my orange powder named upthread.

I remember my poor little granddaughter about 3 at the time, sitting on the potty and straining - her face red as a berry - I could do nothing but sit near her and rub her stomachand back. Finally, job done ….as silverlining says like a ‘brick’. It must have been such a relief for her. Poor baby. She is now 18 years old. I hope things are ‘moving’ better now. Must ask her ?

No it’s not funny silverlining - hope things have moved for you ?

Thanks Ayse, that was helpful, will max up the powders rather than start on something else. Wish me luck x

I use Senakot which I buy from Tesco. I try not to be too dependent on it My Gran used to drink senna tea.
Another 'must' is plenty of water.
The last few days I found that a red pepper salad which had 'gone off' but still tasty worked well as a laxative.

I was constipated for over a week. after being prescribed Co codomol. No one told me it would have that effect. What made it worse was that it was pressing against my urinary tract, so although I needed to pass urine it came out as a trickle! Very frightening. Dulcolax helped to soften the faeces and together with eating prunes straight out of the packet, the next morning I managed to go. Beware though that you need to be close to a toilet as soon as you feel you need to go.
I hope this helps Silverlining48

My GP prescribed Docusate to take alongside Co-Codomol initially but I seem to be ok without it now. Plenty of fluids, high fibre cereal & fruit & veg (pears are good) help. My mother swears by good old fashioned Milk of Magnesia if you can get hold of any.
The sugar free sweets are lethal, I worked with someone who greedily scoffed a whole bag of Thornton’s chocolates for Diabetics at her desk one day thinking they would be ok as she was on a diet, the results on her way home from work were explosive and very embarrassing.

Oh what I forgot to say was that I was also taking Fybogel which has always worked for me and I continued with it for a few days afterwards.
But do contact the pharmacist tomorrow, as after all they are the experts and know what is best for you.

It`s a side effect from taking codeine Travels.
Lemons in really cold water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach should do the trick.

I occasionally have to take codeine for arthritic pain as I cannot take NSAIDs and paracetamol doesn’t work for me, and it always constipates me despite a diet with plenty of fruit and veg.
Movicol seems to be what is recommended for older people and is gentle.
Another tip is to have a small footstool by the loo, to make sure your knees are higher than your hips, as it is a more natural position when defecating.

If I need to take cocodamol I drink a glass of cloudy apple juice first thing in the morning...Tastes delicious and gets your bowels moving