Painkillers & Constipation

PaperMonster

Strong coffee and a bar of chocolate might help.

Dark chocolate - and maybe only 2/3 squares……..

Strong coffee and a bar of chocolate might help.

I think the worst thing about constipation caused by medications is the suddenness of it. You go to bed fine with no problem and wake up with a big problem. And there is so little warning given by the medics.

I know the warnings on the boxes of tablets say that it is a side effect but often so is diarrhoea and a list of other possible effects which don't happen luckily.
And by the time it is a problem it is too late to change your diet. There seems to be a reluctance to prescribe suppositories, but they work. Tricky to insert and sometimes slip through your fingers and down the loo. And you need to hold them in for at least 30 minutes if not an hour I find. I lay on the bed and read and have a cup of tea. But at least you can relax as you know it will work.
I always have a box at home, but luckily rarely need them as not on codeine based painkillers or anti emetics. And I eat lots of fruit anyway.

prunes
prune juice
i know some folk eat pluots

HelterSkelter1

Nadateturbe 2 squares of dark choc no problem. But a GN said to eat a bar of chocolate and that took me back to one Easter when my 5 year old daughter ate toooo much chocolate and had a big problem.

Oh dear, that was fun! I didn't realise chocolate could do that.
I forgot someone had said that. I would never eat a whole bar of chocolate.
Thanks.

I am very glad that the suppositories worked for you. I think that you must be very sensitive to the other effects of codeine, because as well as it's excellent analgesic properties, it will also slow down the peristalsis movement in the large bowel (colon) causing constipation. I would suggest that you take regular senna or dulcolax whenever you need to take any pain medication containing codeine.
Codeine is related to morphine, so if you ever are prescribed morphine please ask for some constipation relief medication too.

A physiotherapist recommended a firm clockwise tummy massage when I was suffering from constipation caused by medication. That helped as did a warm bath. Constipation is ghastly - the first time I had it I couldn't believe how awful I felt.

Nadateturbe 2 squares of dark choc no problem. But a GN said to eat a bar of chocolate and that took me back to one Easter when my 5 year old daughter ate toooo much chocolate and had a big problem.

As a child I suffered rom chronic constipation, caused by a condition called Hirschsprungs Disease, it is probably still lurking. But as a young teenager I discovered that the solution was fibre, fluid and exercise, and a lot of both.

a few prunes, bowl of rhubarb ets , didn't touch it, but a very large bowl, and I mean LARGE bowl of bran cereal, allbran, granola or whatever, lots of milk, a glass of water followed by a good brisk walk, almost always worked. Failing that the only solution is Senokot, as many as required,

If you have half a tin of prunes each day, that should sort you out, wont harm you. Good Luck . Worked for me after my last hip operation.

HelterSkelter why do you advise avoiding chocolate? I ask as I have a couple of squares of dark chocolate every day.

My old excellent GP 's anti-constipation advice was the three Fs
Fruit , Fluid, Fibre.
I also find that that dark German Rye bread goes through me like a dose of salts.
It's common for painkillers to cause constipation. my OH was once prescribed three different drugs for Sciatic pain , all of which had constipation warnings. That was an experience we don't want to repeat.
All sympathy to you. Constipation is really, really uncomfortable and distressing.😒

I am so pleased for you RebeccaJ. It is such a relief. I thought about you this afternoon!!!

Now follow the other advice from everyone although I would avoid chocolate. Lots of water and Laxido, Lactulose or Movicol. Tinned prunes etc etc. Hopefully you can cut down on the painkillers soon. And Sudocream or a piles cream will help the soreness. A warm bath is soothing

Suppositories are my best friend.

RebeccaJames

My bottom is still so sore though from all of the pushing I've done over the past few days - it really, really hurts at the moment

I've had a look with a mirror (as best I can - it's obviously not easy) and it looks so red and sore. I am now dreading when I next need to go.

Sudacreme is your friend here

I too am suffering with this problem caused by medication. I've stopped taking anything with codiene but it's made no difference. I eat plenty of fruit, veg, lentils, weetabix or porridge. Gp has referred me to a clinic but how long that will take ...who knows. I've been trying psyllium husks tired into food or water, tried kefir but honestly it does nothing. I have to resort to ducolax which help slightly. Lactulose and fybogel does nothing. Sometimes it's 7 days before I go then only if I use dulcolax. I worry my bowels will burst!!! It's horrid. Think I'm gonna try those suppositories.

My bottom is still so sore though from all of the pushing I've done over the past few days - it really, really hurts at the moment

I've had a look with a mirror (as best I can - it's obviously not easy) and it looks so red and sore. I am now dreading when I next need to go.

Thank goodness! What a relief. I remember a previous poster saying that after his knee replacement op and resultant bowel issues, he phoned the coastguard to warn them after his bowels finally moved!

So pleased RJ.
I would try to cut down the pain killers if at all possible, and have serving of prunes daily

.

Great news , glad you are feeling better.

Don't over strain ! Or sit on the loo for too long. Chocolate and more chocolate plus a suppository from your nearest chemist. Try not to stress about it, I know it's horrible but it will happen!!

I became quite sore round my anus. I bought some cream for piles. This really helped. At the time my bowel movements were very loose. I’d had an operation and was taking morphine. I read about the constipation so I made sure to eat loads of veg and fruit. I then stopped the medication. Maybe your GP might give you some prescription laxative.

I do agree with all the other comments about lots of fibre. Prunes and any dried fruit can be good but water is essential. Syrup of figs used to be suggested. I hope you manage to resolve the issue very soon. It’s absolutely awful.

That's good. It is perfectly safe to use the suppositories every day if you feel you need to for a while

Hoorah! So pleased you are feeling better but take something to keep things moving whilst you are taking painkillers.

Thanks everyone so much - the suppositories worked!!!!

I can finally sit in a chair properly again and walk around without going cross-eyed!

I couldn't hold the first one in for long enough and it didn't work - the second one didn't work as well as I hoped (it was still incredibly difficult) but it made enough of a difference that I could finally open my bowels!

Thanks to everyone for your help with my majorly embarrasing problem

That’s my kind of meal thanks