Codeine 'Constipation'

[croyde]

My stomach is the bane of my life. It dictates how I live. Every different type of No2s usually 2 to 3 times a day, if not more, plus the constant feeling of having to go, wind and bloating.

No this isn't my dating profile

All this until last Saturday.

I had terrible toothache and ended up at an emergency dentist. Infection of two molars' roots so antibiotics and codeine prescribed.

3 days later and I haven't been since Saturday morning. I don't feel uncomfortable, no wind and no bloating. No idea where the food is going?

In fact this is the best I've felt in decades, well apart from the toothache.

Is this usual?

[KobayashiMaru86]

Yes but is temporary. Body gets used to it and you go eventually. Works a little like Imodium etc. I take them if I want a lot of dairy as I'm lactose intolerant but isn't a miracle cure.

[worsy]

Yup, can cause constipation. A doctor will also advise (or prescribe) lactulose as well to help.

[MG4XPower]

OP, get yourself some laxatives now - just do it. The first sachet or two may not do much, but take them until you do go to the toilet. And drink lots of water.

January 2017 I had the most horrendous back spasm - was given Codeine and Diazepam which was nice for a couple of days; by day 4, I had a really painful stomach. Once I'd managed to sit on the toilet, I passed what could only be identified as a very recently chopped down, 400 year old Oak tree. I genuinely needed painkillers after that movement. My GP found it quite funny - I did too, just not at the very moment I was trying to birth a fking massive dry log.

Get some laxatives so they can get to work immediately. And drink water.

You may need a good lay down afterwards!

Also, hope the toothache disappears!

Edited by MG4XPower on Tuesday 13th January 11:42

[MDUBZ]

What he said.. same boat and every three days I was passing an elephants trunk made of concrete, it hurt more than the back pain.

[Furbo]

croyde said:

My stomach is the bane of my life. It dictates how I live. Every different type of No2s usually 2 to 3 times a day, if not more, plus the constant feeling of having to go, wind and bloating.

No this isn't my dating profile

All this until last Saturday.

I had terrible toothache and ended up at an emergency dentist. Infection of two molars' roots so antibiotics and codeine prescribed.

3 days later and I haven't been since Saturday morning. I don't feel uncomfortable, no wind and no bloating. No idea where the food is going?

In fact this is the best I've felt in decades, well apart from the toothache.

Is this usual?

Opiates slow the gut and can reduce IBS type symptoms.

But... you've noticed a "backlog". Long-term that will cause you further IBS type issues, because.... well.... you're full of st.

Also, long-term opiate usage becomes addictive and it doesn't have to be THAT long. Those who have been on opiate-based pain meds for a long time are, from a treatment perspective, the same as heroin addicts. Just ask America.

[williamp]

Prunes and lots of water.

[ikarl]

similarly I'm currently on 30/500's and have to delay taking them every 2nd day, disregarding the pain as much as I can, until I've been to the toilet

as someone said earlier....400yr old oak logs are not 'ideal'

[croyde]

Furbo said:

Opiates slow the gut and can reduce IBS type symptoms.

But... you've noticed a "backlog". Long-term that will cause you further IBS type issues, because.... well.... you're full of st.

Also, long-term opiate usage becomes addictive and it doesn't have to be THAT long. Those who have been on opiate-based pain meds for a long time are, from a treatment perspective, the same as heroin addicts. Just ask America.

Tooth pain is more bearable today so I haven't touched the pain killers. Cheers

[geeks]

I was told by my Dr (I am sure others will be along to tell me I am wrong shortly) that Opiates dehydrate you, this is part of the reason for the constipation, drinking lots of water helps as does adding some extra fibre/roughage to your diet, which is generally good advice anyway.

[Nothingtoseehere]

geeks said:

I was told by my Dr (I am sure others will be along to tell me I am wrong shortly) that Opiates dehydrate you, this is part of the reason for the constipation, drinking lots of water helps as does adding some extra fibre/roughage to your diet, which is generally good advice anyway.

This makes sense. I've recently been on a low 8/500 dose and was getting a very dry mouth. I was given Sena to take each night to help move things along too.

However, I'm familiar with the Oak tree analogy!

[Badda]

Nothingtoseehere said:

I was given Sena to take each night to help move things along too.

However, I'm familiar with the Oak tree analogy!

Macrogol or lactulose are more effective as they're osmotics and encourage more water into the stool to soften it rather than just increase motility.

[Familymad]

MG4XPower said:

OP, get yourself some laxatives now - just do it. The first sachet or two may not do much, but take them until you do go to the toilet. And drink lots of water.

January 2017 I had the most horrendous back spasm - was given Codeine and Diazepam which was nice for a couple of days; by day 4, I had a really painful stomach. Once I'd managed to sit on the toilet, I passed what could only be identified as a very recently chopped down, 400 year old Oak tree. I genuinely needed painkillers after that movement. My GP found it quite funny - I did too, just not at the very moment I was trying to birth a fking massive dry log.

Get some laxatives so they can get to work immediately. And drink water.

You may need a good lay down afterwards!

Also, hope the toothache disappears!

Edited by MG4XPower on Tuesday 13th January 11:42

That !

[Hilts]

croyde said:

My stomach is the bane of my life. It dictates how I live. Every different type of No2s usually 2 to 3 times a day, if not more, plus the constant feeling of having to go, wind and bloating.

No this isn't my dating profile

All this until last Saturday.

I had terrible toothache and ended up at an emergency dentist. Infection of two molars' roots so antibiotics and codeine prescribed.

3 days later and I haven't been since Saturday morning. I don't feel uncomfortable, no wind and no bloating. No idea where the food is going?

In fact this is the best I've felt in decades, well apart from the toothache.

Is this usual?

Watch out for faecal impaction, I think this when all the digested food just piles up in the colon and as mentioned above when it's time to go it can feel like passing a watermelon, you also run the risk of piles.

Laxatives can help but I've found products like this work best:



You can also buy suppositories from the supermarket that will make you go.

[Steve_H80]

Besides laughing at the oak logs and elephant trunks comments I was also nodding my head as it brought back some uncomfortable memories
The last time I was prescribed codeine the doc included some laxatives which was a game changer.

[Cheib]

My son had a shoulder op recently, came home with prescribed codeine and tramadol. They also gave him some Senna tablets to deal with the constipation, took one every day whilst he was on the meds. He had no problems.

Can be bought over the counter.

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/senna/

[Earthdweller]

MG4XPower said:

OP, get yourself some laxatives now - just do it. The first sachet or two may not do much, but take them until you do go to the toilet. And drink lots of water.

January 2017 I had the most horrendous back spasm - was given Codeine and Diazepam which was nice for a couple of days; by day 4, I had a really painful stomach. Once I'd managed to sit on the toilet, I passed what could only be identified as a very recently chopped down, 400 year old Oak tree. I genuinely needed painkillers after that movement. My GP found it quite funny - I did too, just not at the very moment I was trying to birth a fking massive dry log.

Get some laxatives so they can get to work immediately. And drink water.

You may need a good lay down afterwards!

Also, hope the toothache disappears!

Edited by MG4XPower on Tuesday 13th January 11:42

I know it shouldn't but that genuinely made me laugh

[A500leroy]

If you've not gone after a week you may need medical intervention to negotiate the possibility of your bowel tearing and giving you sepsis.
That was not a fun night.

[croyde]

Oooooo

In case anyone was worried, OP here.

Yes, pure mahogany was produced but to be honest, so much better than my usual condition which, as of today, I'm sadly back too.

4 days on codiene was like being a normal human again. Not worrying about where loos are when I leave the house, even treating myself to coffee and food whilst out.

Have to be out of my home in seconds, not a problem.

I need to get toothache again

[Furbo]

I took a single 30mg codeine tablet at 04:00 for some post-op discomfort. No poo for me today.