Painkillers & Constipation

Lactulose works fine for me .

Definitely stewed prunes,each morning,experiment to see what works,eat a couple with the juice,they are actually good for you as well,sorry you are so uncomfortable.

I have Zapain (40 codeine 500 paracetamol) on prescription for knee pain also prescribed with it is Docusate to overcome the sleepy bowel which ensues from Zapain
What is good is that it is a softener so doesn’t cause the problems and addiction which laxatives case.
Speak to your doctor.
BW

RebeccaJames

I'm just worried that it's now 5pm and the problem of not being able to move my bowels could go on all night and stop me from being able to sleep properly!

I'm so uncomfortable - the more stressed I get about it the less I am able to go! I've been straining without success.

Really appreciate all of your advice.

Please do not strain and please stop panicking it will happen, you can take as many fibogel sachets as you like, take 15ml lactulose and 2 Senna and I can guarantee, you will go. As someone else have said you can buy suppositories at the chemist if all fails, personally I hate them as I just cannot hold them in and they give me severe cold shivers.
You can also take docusate, but some of this is on prescription only, so do ask your GP to prescribe it for you ASAP as you will need it until you are regular again.
I am on 3 different very strong painkillers so take 2 Senna, 15 ml Lactulose and 2 docusate every evening and I still don't go every day. That is sadly what pain killers do to you, I eat masses of fruit and vegetables too. Good luck with getting this sorted.

If you take Lactulose you should drink plenty of water after. It doesn’t mention this on leaflet. My DH was taken off Lactulose & Senna, replaced by Movicol. He now feels more in control.

Grate a raw apple and mash a banana - combine...it's supposed to help.

Don't strain ! I'm an old hand at constipation due to meds and IBS prevention is better than cure so Prunes grapes sweet potato lentils oats Weetabix are all good to have on your diet in conjunction with apple juice orange juice at least two litres of water a day Laxido taken regularly daily as directed eight sachets at once works but tastes awful Recently I have found dulcolax works well and isn't unpleasant - just make sure you have a day to stay close to the loo Above all RELAX

Senna capsules from the chemist would help

In my experience it is beneficial to not only take a stool softener for constipation, but in addition take a stimulant such as senna at night along with increased fluid intake. Try not to drink too much tea as this can dehydrate as it acts like a diuretic.

I've had this problem for years. I can only tell you honestly what helps me. Obviously anything that contain codeine will cause constipation. So, finding the food to help is one part of the solution, ALL BRAN. This is roughage that actually does work in breaking up faeces. I also take one Senokot tablet before bed. After trying many different remedies and meds off the doctor, I find that the All Bran and Senokot keeps me regular. Hope this helps, worth giving it a go. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I had total knee replacement surgery last year and had a spinal anaesthetic and pain killers after. Took me about 5 days before I could go, but luckily I watched a ch4 programme all about gut health & the consultants on there always recommended KIWI for constipation as it is known as an evacuation fruit, it worked for me, min 2 per day!

Strong coffee, not string!

Oh you have my sympathies - a horrid way of being made to feel miserable. I'm generally OK, and find a coffee each morning helps shift matters! Currently not normal routine as I've been on painkillers since Wed after horrendous dental surgery. Can't eat anything or drink anything acidic due to stitched guns, and suspect the protein drinks I've mostly been surviving in may not be helping.
So along with all the other helpful advice, give a string coffee a go as well, and I really hope you are back to normal soon. 🤞

Either completely stop your intake of milk, cream and potatoes or cut them down, as these tend to be costive.

Cut back on other starchy foodstuffs too.

Drink plenty of water, and eat a large plateful of stewed prunes or stewed plumbs without milk or cream.

Eat anything that usually has a tendency to upset your digestion - onions tend to as we age.

Drink plenty of water, and if you can get hold of liquorice roots boil them and drink the water. Or simply go out and buy the largest bag of liquorice sweeties you can find and afford.

What did the physician who prescribed the painkillers advise?

Mum is usually bunged up to the eyeballs regularly but finds sweet corn daily helps. She's got that fibrogel drink, cosmocol sachets, tins and dried prunes, even has 4 senna pills nightly..... Still gets bunged up! Sweet corn EVERY day keeps her to "at least every 3-4 day major clearout".

We laugh about it! You have to. I tell her to stink her bathroom out, not mine.

Codeine kills me takes away one pain adds another!

Lactalose and the like needs to be taken with lots and lots of extra water. Include fruit juices. Fresh veg. Liquorice. Raisins. prunes etc. Perhaps in the short term try suppositories. Good to keep active and rub your tum. A little foot stool by loo puts you in more of a squatting possition but may be difficult with knee injury. Sympathies lie with you. It's good to highlight problems like this. Good luck with your endeavours.

dotpocka

prunes
prune juice
i know some folk eat pluots

Congratulations, * Rebecca*, on your ‘result’! And, Dotpocka I had to google pluots, I’ve never heard of or seen them!

I had some horrible times with constipation, mostly through childhood and then later on, bad episodes of premenstrual tension. In future I might well have to suffer again if in need of strong painkillers. Very pleased for you OP that you reached out on here and that the worst of that episode is over, in spite of lingering soreness. The numerous supportive responses will have told you that you’re certainly not alone!

Agree strong real coffee, general fibre and lots of other good suggestions......but no-one has mentioned root vegetables yet, roasted root veg (sweet potato, carrot, parsnip, swede...is my staple I think the fibre is gentler and more effective and of course delicious....don't agree with porridge, bungs you up. Good luck OP its horrible to be constipated

I empathise. I have had this problem all my life and I am now 78! For this reason I never take co codamol. When I had a badly broken elbow I was prescribed morphine for the pain, but it caused horrific constipation although it was an excellent painkiller. I couldn't decide which was worse - the pain or the constipation!

Very strong cafetiere coffee should give you a good purge, at least 2 or 3 cups !

I am on a regular dose of codamol taken twice daily and constipation is a real problem for me. I also have adhesions from abdominal operations. I have tried everything, all the 'bulkers' give me terrible cramps and bloating so they are not an option. I take 4 dulcoease daily, eat at least 8 portions of fruit and veg, drink orange juice 'with bits'. I also eat figs and liquorice every day. But the thing that I have found that seems to work better is chia seeds, I have a tablespoon on my cereal every morning - on top of all the other meds - and fingers and everything else crossed they seem to be wotking.

I had the same problem when I was taking meds for arthritis. Laxido from the chemist and plenty of water.

I've always found chocolate to have a laxative effect. I do like fruit and wholegrains so I eat a lot of them anyway. Maybe they're counteracting the chocolate?