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Opiod constipation from meds after surgery

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Posted 10/26/2011 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had femoral condyle bone decompression surgery with a bone graft on 10/21 and had some cardiac complications while in the OR due to my many medication allergies which cause SVT and ended up in CICU. They found out that what I told them, and wrote down before surgery, was in fact the truth and not some drug seeker wanting a specific medication since my heart rate triples after taking many types of pain medications. They finally put me on IV Fentanyl and oxycodone while in the Cardiac ICU and continued the oxycodone after discharge. I stopped taking them the day after discharge because none of the stool softeners or laxatives were working so I made the decision to bear the pain to avoid an impaction. After about 36 hours, I managed to get some relief but I am in extreme surgery pain and am debating trying the pills again but I am worried because the constipation was almost as bad as the pain. Any suggestions on what helps keep you regular while taking strong painkillers? I am drinking prune juice, apple juice and taking senakot with a stool softener.
Posted 10/26/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I think you can safely use Miralax every other day for a while. It's mild, but usually effective. Also be sure you're getting plenty of total fluids.
Posted 10/27/2011 4:06 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Judy, Miralax is a good choice...........also you may want to ask your Dr. re your constipation issues.  I use Fibercon daily per my Drs. advice.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 10/27/2011 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
If you decide to stay on the painkillers (for the short-term or long-term), constipation will be part of the "package". That's just the way it is with most people. The key is to manage it -- as it's really a balancing act between trying not to rely on laxatives and watching your dosage of opoids.
I have arthritis in my mid-back and am on a low dose of Percocet mind you so I don't experience the extreme end of constipation, however I still have to watch it. Anyhow what works for me is:
1) Take Metamucil before meals
2) Senna (minimum dose)
3) Docusate Sodium (minimum dose)
4) Milk of Magnesia as needed (but don't take too much as it'll cause diarrhea!)
it may sound gross but I mix in a small amount (say two teaspoons) of MOM in yoghurt and have nightly. I love yoghurt and eat lots so I barely taste the MOM in it. And of course yoghurt's good for you anyways.
5) Drink a ton of water, I put a pinch of Gatorade in an 800 ml aluminum bottle and drink it throughout the day. You'll be going to the bathroom to pee a lot but it's worth it.
6) Avoid foods that are tougher to digest: red meat, fried foods, onion, corn, cheese, ice cream.
I have a bowl of Bran flakes and a couple of pears daily...makes quite the difference. Blueberries help too.
7) Walking: of course understandable if you just had surgery that can't right now. But walking lots stimulates the bowels, there's an amazing difference if walking is part of a daily regime.

There you go, like I said this is what works for me so it may not be for everyone. It's really about getting to know how your body responds to food and opoids in general.
Hope this helps,
Take care!
Posted 10/27/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the responses. I went for several days without taking pain medication and it was pure torture but I managed to expel several "rocks" until finally, today, my system cleared entirely. I used Senokot S, prune juice, colace and alot of water. Wow, that was almost worst than the surgery.
My Dr. was not happy about forgoing the pain meds 4 days after surgery but I had to do it or I would have been facing another surgery thanks to the constipation. He suggested I continue taking prune juice and senokot every day until I no longer need the pain medication.
Thanks again for the suggestions! I will incorporate them with my regime!
Posted 11/13/2011 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
Garden of Life makes a product called "Super Seed" and it works wonders. i make a daily smoothy and add 1 or 2 scoops and i have not needed laxatives since, and i take 400mg morphineER, 40mg Dilaudid, 240mg oxycodoneIR, still no problems. good luck
Posted 11/13/2011 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
spinal soldier- what do you put in your smoothie besides the "super seed"? I will definately try that product the next time I have surgery but would like to duplicate your smoothie exactly so I have the same results!

Thanks for replying!

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