Painkillers & Constipation

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.😒

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

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

prunes
prune juice
i know some folk eat pluots

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.

Strong coffee and a bar of chocolate might help.

PaperMonster

Strong coffee and a bar of chocolate might help.

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

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?

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

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.

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

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!

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 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!

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!

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.

Codeine kills me takes away one pain adds another!

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.

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?

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. 🤞