LymeNet Flash: help I'm "FOS" due to oxycontin

This is topic help I'm "FOS" due to oxycontin in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

I know I asked this at least once before but can't find the response anywhere.

If the drug caused my constipation what drug can I take to loosen up my stooles???

Colace daily and senna are'nt doing the trick and neither is crystalose or miralax or any of the OTC laxatives...I need a little mario brother with a pickax or air hammer and a plummers snake to get things moving again...

The only time I can go is if I stop the oxycontin get withdrawal and then things loosen up for awhile...but I feel so bad that I have to get right back on the oxycontin as soon as I've emptied my bowels...and I am sure there's stuff left in there.

Have had some success with Fleet oral like the stuff we use before colinoscopy: have used Fleet enema's a couple of times but this approach isn't too safe I've been told.

Anyone else have a suggestion??????

thanks the zman

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Posted by aaronkatie on :

Zman,
have the same problem so i had to quit most pain killers except for lately. I use a product called super colon cleanse - my ND has me taking like 5 a night ritually. and some stool softener. Also I have some tea with senna, you can drink it a couple times a day.

Coffee works for me too, but i was never a coffee drinker before. Can't think of anything else right now.

luck.

Posted by danq (Member # 2126) on :

Magnesium? This would be a good time to get into magnesium supplements, like Marnie is always ~~pestering~~ advising us to do. A side effect for most people is 'loosening up'.

Other than that, how's your diet - could your intake of fruits and vegetables be less than optimal?

Dan

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

WEll, how about trying a fiber supplement, MORE colace [get the kind without stimulants...or at least don't use the stimulant kind very often], sorbitol [ask the pharmacist for it...no prescription, but you have to ask for it], vitamin C, sugar free products that contain sugar alcohols also work! [which in many cases is sorbitol]

Hope this helps! I know the misery!

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oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by minoucat (Member # 5175) on :

Well, there's, um, dynamite....

In my extreme moments, I've used ExLax. But it, too, is not something you want to rely on.

Here are a couple of threads with a lot of suggestions -- hope one of them works for you. Constipation is a true misery!
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022330.html
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/023913.html

Posted by JesusisLord (Member # 5776) on :

Here are some things that have been known to work for some people on opoids:

Laxative/stool softener combo such as Senna-S which is Senna/Docusate sodium. Can use up to 3-4 tabs 2-3 x day.
And/or
Milk of Magnesia 30 ccs. mixed with prune juice 1-2 x day is sometimes very effective. At our local hospital it is called "the brown bomb".

If something more needed:

Frozen Vaseline balls can be made in the home. 1 pea-sized, sugar-coated ball can be frozen and taken orally 1-3 x day as needed.

It is best to get things moving from the top down, but if that doesn't work, one can aid the process with enemas or Dulcolax suppository, etc. (Always check for impaction first).

Posted by riversinger (Member # 4851) on :

Have you tried anything for pain besides the oxycontin? Each of the opioid drugs are processed differently by the body. Maybe you can find one that isn't so extreme with this effect.

Beyond that, psyllium seed, ground flax seed, or both, with LOTS of water.

Abdominal massage may also help. Start massaging on the lower right, move up to upper right, across to upper left and then down. That is the path things take through the colon. Gentle and rythmic is best. Harder is not better for this.

Opioids paralyze the natural peristaltic movement. Gentle rythmic massage can encourage it.

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

High everyone that responded,

Thanks very much...there's a lot of stuff I haven't tried in your suggestions and at least it gives me some hope to move again...I've always been a once a day kind of guy and not doing it for six or seven days in a row is something I could not allow to happen to my poor lil body...on top of all the rest...

Thanks again and hey Jesus is that for real the little vasaline pea balls???

I think I'll try the colace and senna solution and up the fruit intake a little more...to start and work my way up to the
"brown bomber" even though it sounds and feels like that would definitely do the trick for me and my brick wall of an intestinal problem....thanks again all zman

Posted by Ann-OH (Member # 2020) on :

Hi Tony!
I don't think anyone mentioned glycerine suppositories; they might ease the way. Also Fleet has some pretty good laxative pills that are effective,too.

Might be good to talk to your pharmacist - sometimes they know more than docs on this subject.
Hugs,
Ann - OH

Posted by kaos (Member # 4144) on :

Sometimes when I get really "backed" up I take a tablespoon of epsom salt and mix with a glass of water. It will make you go several times within 2 hours. Not a very pleasant taste though.

Posted by JesusisLord (Member # 5776) on :

The Vaseline balls are for real. Especially beneficial for high impaction. Good luck!

Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :

OK Jesus if all else fails I'll try the vasaline balls...with all the responses I am confident I'll find some combination that works
thanks to all again
zman

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