Pain and discouragement

@teresa
Hi Teresa
I went to the dr. yesterday & now they want me to take Cymbalta 60mg in the morning & to take a 100mg Gabapentin at night for a week & then increase the Gabapentin. I like the Cymbalta & have not noticed any real side effects. I just worry about constipation. Did you have any problems with constipation? I will try this & see what happens. I return to the dr, in a month. Thank you for your respond. It gives me a little hope bc I am in terrible constant pain. I can hardly walk bc it hurts so much.

@teresa
Hi Teresa
I went to the dr. yesterday & now they want me to take Cymbalta 60mg in the morning & to take a 100mg Gabapentin at night for a week & then increase the Gabapentin. I like the Cymbalta & have not noticed any real side effects. I just worry about constipation. Did you have any problems with constipation? I will try this & see what happens. I return to the dr, in a month. Thank you for your respond. It gives me a little hope bc I am in terrible constant pain. I can hardly walk bc it hurts so much.

@tigreyes2004

No medication has helped me with the pn pain except morphine sulfate contin. I take several meds that may be constipating, and I've been in the hospital for bowel obstruction and surgery several times in my stomach. So I take Lactulose at bedtime. It does well keeping things moving.

I don't think that constipation should be an issue if you take something like that. It's a thick, sweet liquid, and I take a tablespoon, but if I start feeling constipated I take a little more.

Jim

@tigreyes2004

Constipation has not increased with the Cymbalta, however, I just take 20 mg, once a day. Gabapentin, however, really resulted in serious constipation.

I know most of the medications do cause the constipation so i guess I have to deal with it. I have been told to take Ira Lax. Have you tried that? It sounds like you have been through a lot too. I wish you the best.

@tigreyes2004 Miralax can be quite helpful. I suggest you start with a small dose and increase the dose as needed. Keep posting, I'd like to know how you are doing.

@hopeful33250
Hi
Thank you for the info. I was always afraid to try it bc I was afraid I would get diarrhea while I was out. I was told you add to a drink & that it is tasteless. Is that correct? Do you take it only as needed? I better buy some & have it on hand. I will keep you posted. I am also dealing with pancreatitis & abdominal adhesions so I am dealing with a lot. Thank you for your help.

Hello @tigreyes2004, Yes, I add it to cranberry juice (personal preference) I hope it helps you. I have had 3 surgeries of the upper digestive tract, so I too have problems with constipation. You should use it as necessary. My doctor said I can use it daily, if needed, however, I don't use it that frequently. Find what works best for you. You might also try Smooth Move Tea, that can be helpful as well.

Hi @hopeful33250
Thank you so much. I am going to get some. I never had constipation problems till this last abdominal surgery so now that I'm on the new pills that can cause it, I better buy some & have it on hand..

I have a similar situation and I guess I’d have to say that there is a time when life isn’t always worth tolerating the intolerable. All of the well meaning therapy and encouragement is just talk.