Surgery side affects :(

kat180 · 04-10-2011, 07:47 AM

Sorry if this is TMI but I think I am constipated. I've never had this before in my life, but I haven't been able to go to the loo since the surgery. It just occurred to me that it may be the pain meds I am on.

I am taking Co-codamol and it does say one of the side affects can be constipation.

What should I do now? I don't know if there is an easy way of getting things working again normal, like eating some more fruit/water or whether I should ring the nurse and check to see if I should switch painkillers or what.

iroc · 04-10-2011, 07:53 AM

Are you actually in the hospital? I'm sorry, I'm not up to date on your situation.

A lot of surgeries cause constipation bc your body shuts down. If you tell the nurse, she'll probably give you something for it.

If you're home there's an amazing thing called Colon Cleanze that you get at WalMart, it's a white bottle, its herbal, and it works great with no cramping.

WileE-Dead · 04-10-2011, 07:56 AM

I am guessing that's a narcotic, which is one of the big drugs that causes constipation.
I'm surprised you weren't prescribed something like Colace, as well...

kat180 · 04-10-2011, 08:02 AM

I was prescribed co-codamol and ibuprofen to take together.

It was only day surgery so Im at home and its Sunday - so its not like I can even get mum to go to the pharmacist for advice or for something.

This sucks. And its uncomfortable

Im eating some grapes and drinking lots of water so I hope that helps. I can't take the Co-Codamol after today anyway because of the risk of addiction. But I don't know that stopping taking it is going to reverse the affects..

roseannadana · 04-10-2011, 08:14 AM

My doctor recommended Miralax and stool softeners, like Colace. Your problem is a side effect of the pain meds but will get better once you stop taking them.

I hope you feel better soon!

curlylaura · 04-10-2011, 08:15 AM

It'll be the codeine in the co-codamol. Have yo got any paracetamol? If so stop the co-codamol and take the paracetamol with the ibuprofen. Drink plenty of water. Could someone get you some lactulose or Fybogel? Lactulose will have a quicker effect. It's gentle and should help.

Try to move around as well. Movement helps gets things, well, moving.

The effects of the codeine should wear off in a day or two.

Laxatives are not widely prescribed in the UK to be taken with short courses of pain killers.

kat180 · 04-10-2011, 08:25 AM

^Thanks

Yeah they said I shouldn't take paracetamol with the co-codamol because it obviously already contains it. But hopefully swapping one for the other should be ok? And carry on with the ibuprofen as normal.

I'll get mum to pick me up some Lactulose tomorrow if possible. I'll have to suffer until then.

curlylaura · 04-10-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kat180

^Thanks

Yeah they said I shouldn't take paracetamol with the co-codamol because it obviously already contains it. But hopefully swapping one for the other should be ok? And carry on with the ibuprofen as normal.

I'll get mum to pick me up some Lactulose tomorrow if possible. I'll have to suffer until then.

Definately don't take co-codamol and paracetamol together.

Paracetamol and ibuprofen = OK.

You should have a late night pharmacy nearby that are open till late tonight. Are you still not working? If so you might be able to get the lactulose on the Minor Ailments Scheme for free. It depends on the area you live in though. It's always worth asking. Feel better soon.

Wiregirl · 04-10-2011, 10:35 AM

Start eating some prunes and/or yogurt covered raisins or choc. covered raisins. Worked like a charm for my father when he was on pain meds after losing his legs. Do not let it longer then a couple of days, things start to turn to cement on the pain meds. Oh and drink lots of water.

curlypearl · 04-10-2011, 10:40 AM

If you aren't bedridden, would you consider an enema, like Fleets? It's not dangerous to use unless you are on a low salt diet, but kind of awkward to insert.

It will do the job, that's certain, and afterward keep eating the good things that others have suggested. Avoid rice and other binding foods like banana, cheese and chocolate.

curlylaura · 04-10-2011, 01:13 PM

When I say lactulose has a quicker effect, it doesn't work in 5 minutes, more like a few hours but it's faster than senna and physillium husk. The lactulose will be behind a pharmacy counter.

You'll not get enemas here unless all other treatments have been tried and generally only on prescription.

Another option is glycerin suppositories. They work quite quickly are a supposably quite gentle.

JoeyEmma · 04-10-2011, 03:14 PM

Definitely the co-cocodamol!

If you can try just paracetamol alternating with ibuprofen, that may help. In the mean time get some sodium docusate tablets, senna tablets or lactulose syrup. Only take one of them- not all three!!!!

curlypearl · 04-10-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlylaura

When I say lactulose has a quicker effect, it doesn't work in 5 minutes, more like a few hours but it's faster than senna and physillium husk. The lactulose will be behind a pharmacy counter.

You'll not get enemas here unless all other treatments have been tried and generally only on prescription.

Another option is glycerin suppositories. They work quite quickly are a supposably quite gentle.

I've second the use of glycerin suppositories. They work well. I'm surprised that you need a prescription for an enema. Here you can get them at any drugstore.

crimsonshedemon · 04-10-2011, 09:13 PM

According to my pain dr, opioids paralyze the bowel. You need a stimulating laxative to get the bowels moving. All the water, fiber, stool softener in the world won't cause the bowels to empty.
Senna is the best option. Milk of Magnesia and Dulcolax will work too.

The New Black · 04-10-2011, 11:22 PM

Magnesium pills work well, if you're allowed to take them. And they're fast.

curlylaura · 04-11-2011, 02:53 AM

Are you feeling any better today Kat?

kat180 · 04-11-2011, 04:47 AM

Well Im not longer taking the Co-codamol and the chemist gave me Laevolac to take, I've just had two spoons. Who knows how long it will take to help. It says it may take a few days - which I really hope isn't the case

Woken up to a gigantic dark yellow and brown bruise all over my breast! That didn't happen last time. What a sight.

But at the moment I am feeling alright. My stomach tends to start hurting (as in bloated and hard) as soon as I eat anything, so Im trying not to really eat much.

munchkin · 04-11-2011, 04:54 AM

I am guessing this is a side effect from your pain pills. Can't remember what I was on after my surgeries, but the same thing happened to me. Once I stopped taking them I was fine.

medussa · 04-11-2011, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlypearl

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlylaura

When I say lactulose has a quicker effect, it doesn't work in 5 minutes, more like a few hours but it's faster than senna and physillium husk. The lactulose will be behind a pharmacy counter.

You'll not get enemas here unless all other treatments have been tried and generally only on prescription.

Another option is glycerin suppositories. They work quite quickly are a supposably quite gentle.

I've second the use of glycerin suppositories. They work well. I'm surprised that you need a prescription for an enema. Here you can get them at any drugstore.

+3. I hope you feel better soon.

ninja dog · 04-11-2011, 06:54 AM

Poor kat.

Get well soon, Dear.