meds and constipation!!

speedalong
speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
edited 4. Apr 2010, 08:51 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi, I find the solpadol I'm on 30/500 are very constipating ... which is a new experience for me as I have never had any problem with poohing before. I try and take the minimum number of tablets, but still have constipation.

Have tried prunes, prune juice plus my usual intake of fruit and veg and drinking lots of water.

What works for you?!!

Speedalong
I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.

Comments

  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Hi, I find the solpadol I'm on 30/500 are very constipating ... which is a new experience for me as I have never had any problem with poohing before. I try and take the minimum number of tablets, but still have constipation.

    Have tried prunes, prune juice plus my usual intake of fruit and veg and drinking lots of water.

    What works for you?!!

    Speedalong

    liquorice helps me
    val
  • jordansmum
    jordansmum Member Posts: 257
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's the codiene that does it i have to take constipation relief tablets everyday :oops: but it's the less of the two evils your gp could prescribe you something if you tell him.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I take cocodamol which gave me constipation. I take half the full dosage daily - they are they strong if not the strongest ones. I now eat lots of bananas, vegetables and apples and have no problem - thank goodness.

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Jordansmum - what are they called? I might be able to get them over the counter in the meantime.

    Thanks for that Valval – will give it a try.

    Elna – you are lucky. I have always eaten lots of fruit and veg – but now I’m these tablets … it doesn’t seem to help.

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • psyart
    psyart Member Posts: 600
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    i have to agree that licorice is very good - especially the Austrailian stuff which is lovely as well!!! its trial and error though on how much you eat in the eve will help you go the next morning!!!! also plenty of fluids is suppose to be good - try fresh orange juice at breakfast time???

    hope this helps, as there is nothing worst than not going!!!!

    louise xx
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  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Psyart -

    I'm going to look into trying to buy veggie liquourice. I do drink orange juice every morning. I'm used to poohing often so feel like I'm full of pooh!! Only advantage - I've no appetite, which helps keep me slim - especially now I walk hobble at the pace of a snail.

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi speedalong,

    hope you can live up to your name and get relief soon!!!

    Iris x
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Jordansmum - what are they called? I might be able to get them over the counter in the meantime.

    Thanks for that Valval – will give it a try.

    Elna – you are lucky. I have always eaten lots of fruit and veg – but now I’m these tablets … it doesn’t seem to help.

    Speedalong

    Hi

    You can ask for Senna, that should help you

    Trish xx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    when my GP originally prescribed the cocodamols for me she gave me a bottle of lactulose solution too ...... it is horridly sweet, and has the effect of making you drink more but it does do the trick.

    SInce I also take MTX and now Leflunomide as well, which have the opposite side effects for me, they tend to balance each other out and I find that I don't have so much need for the lactulose, but it is there if I need it.

    good luck!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Wonky, I had 2 doses of that latulose when in hospital recently and it gave me stomach cramps and pain, apparently can be a side effect, as the nurse had mentioned. Glad it did the trick for you! I am not sure if it was the couple of doses or the three pears I ate, but nevertheless something moved things along :roll: :oops: :lol:

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,882
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Speedy

    The worst I ever was was 15 days - prune juice was what helped, but by the eck!! NEVER will I let it go that long!!!
    :oops: :oops:

    Just check if its true, but years ago my Mum said licorice raises your blood pressure. Knowing her (and she being one) it was probably and old wives tale :wink:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Nobody has mentioned movicol. I thought lots of you were on it.

    Speedalong my daughter has chronic constipation.We are going through hell as I speak. She is prescribed movicol but hates it so doesnt take it as often as needed. I think you have to get it on prescription.You take a few packets at once to remove the bulk and it has a good reputation as working well.
    Good luck
    Elizabeth
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • dippydoodah
    dippydoodah Member Posts: 350
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    My son and my dad are on Movicol and they were prescribed it but both have found when they try to reduce or come off it, they get constipated again.... :?:

    I used to get very constipated before I got diagnosed with OA. I would go maybe once a week :!: My mum bought me some Cod Liver Oil liquitabs for my OA thinking it might help and whilst I don't think they do anything for the OA, its really helped with the constipation! I go everyday now :D :oops:

    Maybe worth a try....?
    Caroline x
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for all advice.

    I started ensuring I drank 2 litres a day (mainly water, herbal teas etc) when I started on the solpadol - but didn't keep me poohing ..

    Will defin try the herbal nettle/liquorice tea.

    S suffers from constipation related to IBS and has tried all the main meds for this over the years - lactulose was disgusting and made his tummy very bloated ... I have taken Movicol ( like drain purger, ) but might try over the counter senna - to see which is best. Am going to go to docs though - pain is getting worse, mobility worse - I need my op!!

    Speedalong (in spirit only, at the mo...)
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    speedalong wrote:
    Thanks for all advice.

    Speedalong (in spirit only, at the mo...)

    Hi speedalong,

    sorry for poking a wee bit fun at you with regard to the constipation....I know how rotten it can make you feel and it was insensitive of me. apologies. hope you are OK. Iris x :oops: :roll:
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Iris,

    no offence was taken. Didn't even occur you were referring to my digestion ...DURR!!!

    pain is getting worse, mobility worse - I need my op!!

    Speedalong (in spirit only, at the mo...)

    I'm really struggling mobility wise and thought you were referring to that ....

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • woodbine
    woodbine Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    [quote="valval
    liquorice helps me[/quote]

    And me :D
  • toptottie
    toptottie Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I suffer constipation because of my meds, I take dulcoease which I bought from the chemist which is approx £4.80 for a box of 28 and I take 3-4 tablets a day, so when I went to the docs about the constipation, I mentioned that the dulcoease worked but was expensive she prescribed them for me as I buy the pre paid yearly prescription card. The chemical name for these tablets are dulcosate 100mg capsules. I would recommend them to anyone who suffers constipation as they are gentle on your stomach and bowel.
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Toptottie,

    S has had those too ...

    Do you take them every day or just occasionally? And do they give you cramps?

    Speedalong
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.