Painkillers & Constipation

Strong coffee, not string!

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!

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.

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.

Senna capsules from the chemist would 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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Lactulose works fine for me .

A large bowl of bran flakes last thing has me in the bathroom first thing. Coffee with your breakfast helps too. Good luck!

Suppositries …

Yes - coffee for sure.

Hubby eats lots of blueberries, raspberries and strawberries on his fibre breakfast. This seems to work for him. Takes fibrogel occasionally, which is more gentle on the bowel than lactulose.

Oh wise ones, anyone any advice for the opposite problem?
Can come on suddenly and it’s extremely difficult when out and about. Currently taking amitriptyline, doesn’t seem to be helping so far…….

Movicol has be bought without prescription, and I was told by the chemist this is the next thing to try if Lactulose, Senna etc haven't helped. It's quite expensive (£20 ?) but definitely worth it IMO
I now realise you need to take Senna and the same time as the painkillers to avoid this problem

A glycerine suppository should shift it initially then I recommend Lactulose regularly to keep you moving- plus pears which work well.

Nightmare - orange juice, spinach and eat liquorice (liquorice all sorts) also try CBD cream to massage the pain area - if it helps reduce the intake of painkillers - catch 22

Movicol sachets from the chemist or Psyllium husk capsules. Both work well. Don't worry -every has this problem with painkillers and afdter anaesthetics.

Painkillers can cause outrageous constipation. I deeply sympathise. Try All Bran, clementine oranges and laxatives from the chemist. They may help

stop taking the codeine. stick to paracetamol every four hours. get your bowels back.

When I was strong painkillers for arthritis in both my hips I was often constipated, my doctor prescribed Laxido sachets which I took several times a day for the first few days and once it was under control I took one sachet which stopped it coming back.

Whole can of baked beans usually does the trick for me. As well as plenty of fluids but not fizzy drinks. Whole orange juice too.