Painkillers & Constipation

I have diverticula disease so I veer between constipation and the opposite of that.

Someone recommended to me to buy a squatting stool which raises your legs up higher whilst on the toilet.
I found that helped a great deal.

I often have to take an Imodium tablet which in turn makes me constipated.
So, it can be three or more days before anything happens.

You can buy the stool from Amazon very cheaply.

Glad that the suppositories kickstart d the process. After an op.and being ok morphine (and feeling/being sick, and not really able to eat I ended up with a dreadful blockage. The doc gave me senna which got things going and eventually I was able to eat and things went back to normal but wish someone had told me that it was a side effect of morphine. If I ever need it again I will know. But the poor lady opposite me had had the same and what she'd been given has ended up with the opposite effect, and she was still in hospital until that was sorted

I use Laxido.. very gentle

If you have a sore bottom thecwuping with toilet paper won't help I suggest a product called Wype. In effect. it turns your toilet paper into a flushable wet wipe.

Have you tried laxido sachets?

A few years ago after an operation, I used suppositories prescribed by GP. Very helpful and necessary .

I had this problem too with co-codamol. Very painful. They should be given with a large warning on the pack! Everything above I’m sure will help but do keep taking the max dose of stool softeners, until you go. Otherwise a hard ball can form, which can be extremely painful to pass. I do feel for you. Good luck. If no success, do contact your GP surgery. They will be able to help.

In addition to the above suggestions drink plenty of liquids and decaffeinated tea. I find a bag of liquorice all-sorts can work. Consult a doctor of none of the above suggestions work.

Hi Rebecca - I only just saw this. Co-codamol is (in)famous for this problem, and some docs seem to think the results are almost amusing?!

You've had masses of advice, hopefully something has worked, BUT -- a friend who had just this nuisance suggests LIVE yoghurt (activia?) which apparently worked for them.

Movicol is best for me when I have to take codeine based analgesia.

I have always found that eating a big bowl of green or red seedless grapes (in the evening) does wonders for me ( the next morning.) when I have bouts of constipation.

Thanks everyone - I massively appreciate all of the advice on my embarrassing issue.

I managed to go yesterday thanks to the suppositories that people recommended

I take one packet of Laxido every other day whilst I am on co-codomol. Very gentle and works a treat. Glad you've "been" - such a relief!

I find a daily mug of Kefir helps enormously.

Hurrah Rebecca. What a relief 😅

Suppositories are best used lying on your side and then lie down for half an hour while they do their work. Otherwise they may drop out too soon. As one poster said you can use hem every day without harm whereas over use of laxitives can make the bowel lazy.

Were you prescribed tablets to take first thing in the morning to protect your stomach when taking strong painkillers?
In any case, I think you should see your GP again for some help.
You could try eating lots of spinach.
My "go to" in your position is a nice spicy curry with lots of spinach - chicken tikka saag with a dessert of laxatives before bedtime.

maddyone

I’m on Pregabalin which causes constipation and sometimes cocodamol and maximum dose paracetamol. I also take a Dosulepin every day. The medication makes me constipated and my doctor recommended Senna which really is the only thing that helps. She said she had patients who had to take seven to get things moving, but I take two or three and it works for me. Until I can get off the painkillers I will need to take them. Nothing else works. Fruit, juice, vegetables, nothing, it has to be Senna.

It has to be 2 or 3 Senna tablets at bedtime and a coffee at 10am. That usually works for me.
I'm going to look for a crouching device that others recommend it makes sense. I have mobility/balance issues and am the gardener in the household. I use a gardening stool and that can work my bowels as I stretch to garden.
For some unknown reason I've been struggling more recently.
It's three Senna tonight.

Senokot tablets work well. Add wheat bran to breakfast cereal.

As someone who has suffered with constipation for most of my adult life, I can sympathise with you, it's awful.

I second a glycerin suppository when you get to that desperate stage, it is the only thing that worked for me.

I now have to take a sachet of Laxido everyday to keep me regular.

Plus some hemorrhoid cream for the soreness.

Co Codamol! Notorious. I'd come off them. We dont touch them for same reason

If you bum is sore sudocreme is good or you can try Anusol cream - also available in suppositories if you are sore "inside". It has some good soothing qualities which will calm itching and rawness.

Try this: soak some chia seeds tbsp in a good organic kefir overnight in fridge. In the morning add organic plain yogurt and sprinkle ground linseed tbsp ( grind mine in a coffee grinder specially bought for that purpose) slice barely ripe banana . You could also add frozen or blueberries. Works for me

Magnesium (take too much and you get diarrhea--anyone hear of "Milk of Magnesia"? that's what's behind that) Glycerin suppositories are another option

I wasn’t warned about painkillers and constipation and I got it so bad it caused my diverticulitis to flare up!!! Fybogel works for me but I understand it is being taken off the market so need to find another solution. Grateful for all the advice on here and good luck Rebecca, hope you find a solution very soon