1. < Chronic Pain

Constipation from meds

Posted by mshrink66 @mshrink66, Jan 9 8:23am

I have chronic nerve pain from a couple of failed back surgeries. I have been on Lyrica, Cymbalta and most recently Effexor. It seems that when I get to a therapeutic dose, I get severe constipation. I have tried Metamucil with Colace, and Miralax without success. Seems the only thing that works is s stimulating laxative which I know isn’t good to use long term. Since this is such a common side effect of these meds, has anyone had any success getting around this? These meds really help me so I hate to give up on them. Thank you for any advice!

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cessna150 | @cessna150 | May 15 2:05am
In reply to @cessna150 "Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone..." + (show)
@cessna150

Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone for 4 years...and suddenly began suffering with severe...really severe... daily constipation. My dr recomended a new medication and it's working! It's "Movantik". Ask your doctor. Because it's so new, he/she probably won't know about it... but convince him/her to study it. It's available in both 12 and 25 mg doses. I'm still experimenting with which dosage works best for me.

Hope this works for you. Please let me know if/how it works for you.

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In reply to @cessnal50, I forgot to mention that this new constipation medication is for patients who have used oxycodone for a long time. ANY opiod, I think.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 6:59am
In reply to @cessna150 "Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone..." + (show)
@cessna150

Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone for 4 years...and suddenly began suffering with severe...really severe... daily constipation. My dr recomended a new medication and it's working! It's "Movantik". Ask your doctor. Because it's so new, he/she probably won't know about it... but convince him/her to study it. It's available in both 12 and 25 mg doses. I'm still experimenting with which dosage works best for me.

Hope this works for you. Please let me know if/how it works for you.

Jump to this post

Hi Cessna,

I'm so glad Movantik works for you. I'm on a low but daily dose of Suboxone. I tried Movantik but it didn't help. I'm now trying Relistor, which works the same way, and have had some success, but still need dulcolax. And the Relistor is even more expensive than Movantik.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear a success story here. Good for you!

Joe

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 15 7:02am
In reply to @celia16 "Perhaps, I should be glad that I have a formula that works, but….it seems unfeasible to..." + (show)
@celia16

Perhaps, I should be glad that I have a formula that works, but….it seems unfeasible to do indefinitely. It’s been recommended by my primary and gastroenterologists.

Is it reasonable to drink a glass of Metamucil AND a glass of Miralax every day? And, be not too far from a bathroom, because I’ll likely need to go anywhere from 4-5 times a day. And, to deal with the soft consistency, which isn’t normal. And, to have the air that goes along with it? I wouldn’t call it gas, because it’s not gas. No odor and doesn’t even feel like gas, just air. I never feel bloated or have pain. I’ve been doing this for 16 months and it’s gotten old. It’s cramping my dating plans. Lol

If I mess with the doses, I won’t go. That’s not an option due to my hemorrhoids.

I drink lots of water and take probiotics. I have healthy, whole food diet, olive oil, healthy fats, veggies, daily exercise,…..have tried seeds, nuts, fruits, and all the things people swear by….And, yes, I will go if I take a dose of Milk of Magnesium, but doctors discourage this on a regular basis. I do take 300 mg of Magnesium supplement daily. Seems to make no difference.

Since this began, I’ve had 3 normal BMs over the course of 2 days….like old times. So I know I’m capable.

I’m scheduled for further tests soon. I’m trying to keep the faith.

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I think you're doing the best you can Celia to deal with CIC. I'm all in with diet and exercise and daily miralax and still need dulcolax for a push. It's frustrating but better than the alternative.

All the best to you. Joe

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celia16 | @celia16 | May 15 7:57am
In reply to @cessna150 "Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone..." + (show)
@cessna150

Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone for 4 years...and suddenly began suffering with severe...really severe... daily constipation. My dr recomended a new medication and it's working! It's "Movantik". Ask your doctor. Because it's so new, he/she probably won't know about it... but convince him/her to study it. It's available in both 12 and 25 mg doses. I'm still experimenting with which dosage works best for me.

Hope this works for you. Please let me know if/how it works for you.

Jump to this post

Thank you! I’ll inquire about it, since the meds I’ve tried haven’t worked.

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mikaylar | @mikaylar | May 15 8:49am
In reply to @cessna150 "Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone..." + (show)
@cessna150

Due to terrible pain from radiation for cancer treatment, I've been taking 10 mg of oxycodone for 4 years...and suddenly began suffering with severe...really severe... daily constipation. My dr recomended a new medication and it's working! It's "Movantik". Ask your doctor. Because it's so new, he/she probably won't know about it... but convince him/her to study it. It's available in both 12 and 25 mg doses. I'm still experimenting with which dosage works best for me.

Hope this works for you. Please let me know if/how it works for you.

Jump to this post

3 tablespoons of mineral oil at night - magic!

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beejaykay | @beejaykay | May 15 9:12pm
In reply to @suecutuli "I suffered from constipation for years. And now ive been on opioids for quite a few..." + (show)
@suecutuli

I suffered from constipation for years. And now ive been on opioids for quite a few years and have
Tried Everything. I finally found something that help/ works!
I take 1
Teaspoon of Calms at night
Before bed.
It also has other pleasant qualities. I have to be careful not to take too much as it can cause me to be too loose;
But after years of struggle this has worked for over a year!

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Suecutuli,
Could you please tell me what you are referring to by taking ‘Calms’ at night?
Thank you

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wendyhobbie | @wendyhobbie | May 16 12:49am

Stool softeners every day. I have “the Colin from hell”! It’s not unusual for me to go three days without “the special event”…5 days without I take sencote, it’s a natural laxative in pill form

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | May 19 7:33am

Milk of Magnesia works great for me when I need it. It only has 2 ingredients if I remember correctly....1 being magnesium. Also, taking 200 mg of magnesium capsules a day may help. Bless you.

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1 reply
skm101 | @skm101 | May 20 8:37am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Milk of Magnesia works great for me when I need it. It only has 2 ingredients..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Milk of Magnesia works great for me when I need it. It only has 2 ingredients if I remember correctly....1 being magnesium. Also, taking 200 mg of magnesium capsules a day may help. Bless you.

Jump to this post

I second the magnesium citrate. Works great everytime.

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