Codeine constipation

How are you doing now travelsafar? Hoping for your sake it's a bit better.

Please don't ignore constipation .You don't want to have haemorrhoids nor anal fissures from straining at stool .

No need to feel embarrassed about talking to the Dr/pharmacist .
They are there to help you and they've heard it all before .

Unfortunately, I have to take pain killers ,which all cause chronic constipation .
So I eat fruit and fibre for breakfast plus one - three large oranges a day .
I would drink coffee which is a laxative , but can't .
You can also massage your abdomen when having a soak in the tub .
And try a gentle walk after a meal .
Take care .

My colon doesn't seem to realise that Codeine = Go Slow. I was on Co-Codamol 30/500 at maximum daily dose for 2 years before my hip replacement. I'm careful with my diet but managed to avoid constipation. On the day I had my surgery, the nurse who gave me my evening meds insisted I had some Lactulose (obvs on a cocktail of analgesics at that point) My brain must have been addled because I took the darned stuff. As soon as I'd had my first cup of coffee next morning I had to ring for the high speed commode, cursing under my breath
Never again!

I can vouch for Movicol. A very moving experience!

SusieB50

I found that lactulose with senna tablets when I was taking codeine worked pretty well . Bran based cereal , plus a couple of large oranges a day along with loads of water and green veg .I was also told by my pharmacist that Fybogel is not advisable if taking opiates ( codeine or morphine based stuff) .

Yes. It said that on the NHS website.

I'm on Codine based meds. I had a dear late friend who was a Hospital Dietician, who would recommend pure Bran from health food shop, cheap as chips, lasts months.
At first add a teaspoon full into something like a yoghurt or breakfast cereal slowly increase if you need to try and use every day .
I'm using Oat bran works a treat.

I found that lactulose with senna tablets when I was taking codeine worked pretty well . Bran based cereal , plus a couple of large oranges a day along with loads of water and green veg .I was also told by my pharmacist that Fybogel is not advisable if taking opiates ( codeine or morphine based stuff) .

When my IBS was really bad, I used to have colonics - they were good!! Didn’t have the coffee ones though!!

You could get coffee colonics MayBee70!

I was on cocodamol long term and thankfully never had this problem but I start the day with warm water, followed by two coffees and a glass of cold water - which always makes me go!!

Remember when colon cleansing was all the rage?I’m sure they used to pump people with coffee

I didn't know that Casdon.
I drink a lot of strong coffee but have to be careful because it gives me heart flutters.

Strong coffee is a great laxative, it stimulates your colon.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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 ?

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 start the day with three prunes.

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