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Cronic Consipation with Methadone

I am on Methadone and as all who has been on it know it causes constipation. Well I have extremely hard stools and it is painful to go to the bathroom. Is there anything I can take that will help me to have softer stools? Any foods,stool softners, etc that would help. ha ha this is no joke. I could build houses with my stools that is how hard they are. I dread that feeling to go because I know I will be in pain trying to get it out..lol...sorry for this ****** subject but I need help!
                           Barbara
39 Responses
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Avatar universal
I heard flaxseed works O.K. A lot of the above are known to work. I personally use a Fleets enema. Monobasic/Dibasic phosphate type. Not the mineral oil one. If something natural works, that would be healthier. I've been drinking 60-90 mg. of methadone a day for over 30 years and have tried most of the above. What i mentioned I use just works best for me. Good luck.
Helpful - 2
Avatar universal
I have been on methadone for 4 1/2 years. I have just been ignoring the constipation and have been having 2 to 3 BM daily with only balls of hard poo coming out every single time for the entire time Ive  been on this medication. And now I am scared I have colon cancer. About a year ago I noticed I had tiny amount of bright red blood in my poo but I dismissed it as my husband said it was probably from straining to poo. Now I have a pain in my left lowest part of my abdomen and lots of pressure. I am terrified . I have a colonoscopy scheduled for April 12th and Im terrified. Can anyone give me any insight or relate to this? Could it be something other than cancer? ive  began taking miralax as of 4 days ago and I had two seemingly normal BM come out they were long and pretty fat and now the past day and half I've had skinny long and skinny pieces coming out. Im so worried. Miralax has made it come out soft now but Im very concerned about the skinny ones (I know its TMI but its serious and I thought maybe someone could help?) any info would be useful .... thank you all... (IVe also read that Braggs organic raw unfiltered vinegar with the mother in it will help with colon cleansing ... add 2 tbsp of braggs apple cider vinegar organic kind and 2 tbsp of raw organic honey to 8 oz of warm filtered or bottled spring water and drink it ... I read you can drink it up to 3 times a day... I think.... hope this helps someone... miralax for sure helps. Look me up on facebook Vivian Dempsey Davidson if yall want ...
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
omg, I kno these comments are old, but I just had to comment for anyone else looking for relief!! I take 50mg of methadone a day, I was taking 130 a day, so trying to come off, but that's easy to say and , very hard too do!! Ivde been on some kinda opiate for 20 years! That's why I got on methadone, to get off the pills. I have been on methadone for 3 years and for the past 8 mths, omg I have been so constipated! I kno how you guys feel, i mean last night, it was so hard, it was not coming out!! I had to put a glove on, well you all kno wat came next! well, it was horrible, I mean I had blood on the end of my finger and was sooo scared! I just want to say thank you all for all of your comments, because now I kno I am not alone! From now on, it's nothing but Miralax, flaxseed oil and high fiber cereal! I wish you guys luck and easy, well you know!! THANKS AGAIN
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Hi Amzy; Your actually pretty brave to be asking these questions. A lot of us old farts on this site wish we could go back and not take any drugs/meds at all- period! When your older you just want to feel normal again. Methadone is one of the most dangerous drugs there is, simply because it is so sneaky. Listen to your body, let it be "normal" as long as you can. Anyone who has been there will tell you, this is the best course for you. Finally, self medicating for emotional problems is like finding an adrenaline rush playing Russian Roulette. Try to get counseling, or even better, go out and help a few people in anyway you can. You'll find life in normalcy is wonderful. God bless you.  Peter
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I take a minimum of 40mg of methadone daily for severe back pain. Constipation is defin-   ately a major probllem. I have successfully    countered this side effect by taking 480mg of  Docusate NA and consuming approximately 8 to   10 dried prunes before retiring. This combina- tion has proven to be very effective. If you   are still troubled by constipation, I stongly  reccomend this solution. Good luck and best    wishes.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I don't recommend anything that's going to cause cramping if you're impacted unless you like pain (if you're several days impacted, get over the enema phobia in a hurry -- it's the only thing that will save you apart from some gruesome and humiliating medical intervention).
In addition to the very good suggestions already noted, a couple things not mentioned:
Proactive fiber-drink consumption: I drink a tablespoon to 2 tablespoons of Metamucil with 10 oz of water right before turning in -- rain or shine. It's painless, tastes like Tange, and is never a problem even when it's used unnecessarily.
Unless your condition prevents you, fast-walk at least 2 miles a day, early in the morning or mid-evening works best. I think the motion helps compensate for the narco effect on the bowel. Also any Yoga you can manage has the same effect.
Not mentioned by anyone: adopt a "return to nature" posture when going. Whose idea was it to defecate in a sitting positon? Sir John Krapper's? It's a trick to balance on Western johns, but squatting is the natural position for humans to defecate in. In Yoga, squatting-like postures are recommended for treating constipation. But they also give you great leverage -- especially when you're in crises mode with impaction and are counting on the enema to get it out. Squatting gives you effective leverage when you might otherwise strain yourself into a hernia or blown disk. Do it once and your body will confirm for you that that is the natural posture. Of course, you can over-strain in that posture too. Stop, stop, stop if you feel increased blood pressure in your head. Overdoing it in this way can be very dangerous. I don't want someone to read this, try it and stroke out! And don't ignore the other measures and expect "the squat" to save you -- I always worry when I try to give my fellow junkies advice - we always obsess on anything that seems to help us and wind up making additional problems for ourselves. Easy does it
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks. Yes I have heard of flaxseed oil and I will check it out at my local health food store. I have been using Philips liquid gel cap stool softner but you are not suppose to use them more than 2 weeks. I am going to my doctors and see if they can prescribe me something. I really would like to pass on the enema trip it just isn't my bag! hey is that a joke? well i will try the flaxseeed oil and once again thanks for the tips. Also I was wondering if any of you have noticed swelling of the hands. I haven't gained any weight but I feel like my rings are terribley tight on my hands and one I can't even get on. When I press on my hand it turns white I sign of water retention....??
                      Barbara
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Barbara,
I certainly know how that feels, when your constipated you feel miserably, it actually effects my whole day...I do not like to take laxitives because if gives me alot of pain in my stomach..
burning, cramps, ect..I'm very lucky because my answer to this problem is very simple for me..everyday I eat spinach, I don't exactly know why but it's the answer for me! I just take fresh spinach, saute it with garlic and olive oil, it works like a charm for me...try it, you never know, it just may work for you..
I would give it at least 3-4 days of eating it before you decide it's not working...Good Luck!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I use FLEET everytime.  It takes about 4 hours and it really cleans you out.  I have had no cramping from using it.  Good Luck I know how miserable that is.  Kimberly
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Constipation is a fairly common problem in those who use narcotics on a daily basis.  Often it is seen in cancer patients being treated with high dosages of narcotics.  Omega 3 is a good option which may help.  In addition, you may need to try laxatives, although these may cause bloating, gas and cramps.  You can also try what is known as a bulk cathartic, such as psyllium (Metamucil), which will increase mass but soften stools.  Stimulant cathartics (such as Senekot) will do the opposite of what the opiates do--namely promote intestinal motility.  My first choice for you would be to try the over the counter Senekot-S.  It will stimulate bowels and also soften stools.  If it doesn't work,  there are also prescription agents such as Cytotec, Cisapride and Colchicine which are effective for chronic constipation.  Finally, if you have become impacted and can not move your stool, you may need an enema.  These must be used very sparingly because they tend to flush out the normal mucus in the colon which helps the stools move freely.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I had been on opiates for many years & had become extremely constipated.  I suffered for many years.  I finally got some good advice & started eating a high fiber cereal in the morning with lots of raisins mixed in.  I also ate prunes regularly.  And if all that didn't help, & it did not always, I use an herbal tea called Smooth Move.  It's available in all health food stores & many supermarkets too.  It is very effective & also very gentle.  Obviously adding more fiber to your diet can be done in different ways but however you do it, it will help!
Good luck!
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Good morning Barbara,
Have you ever tried Flaxseed Oil? It is very good for you because of the Omega 3's and other great things that it contains.  I take it for that reason and I also notice that I am doing alot better in the restroom area (haha).  You just take two tablespoons of it and then drink some Orange Juice real quick.  I take Oxycontin and I have the same problem once in a while. Take Care,
Lindy.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
ive been on methadone 7 years now and i still suffer the same hard stools with periods of  constipation as in going days with out a bowel movement but when i first started on methadone i took an off brand stool softner that worked very well until my body got use to it i guess and it stopped working after a while, now i have a routine to make sure that i have a bowel movement if its been a couple days since having a good one, i get take homes and instead of dosing early in the morning i make myself wait til around 12 pm or later, in the meantime, i usually drink a 16 or 24 oz. redbull or a large regular coffee, and either of those will make u need to pee, but i force myself to hold it as long as possible, and doing that usually kick starts my bowels and no matter the amount of constipation it cleans me out, fast, the caffine for whatever reason gets my bowels to move, i know thats not exactly an answer for having softer stools, but first try a stool softner, and all other over the counter remidies, if those things dont work and u find urself not having regular movements, then try the caffine approach, it does work.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know someone who's on massive amounts of methadone and she's been having extremely painful constipation for years.

We finally discovered that Probiotics and Omega-3 Fish Oil work wonders for her.

(I don't know if there are different kinds of Probiotics. Florastor is the brand she tried that worked. She asked the pharmacist for the best. It's a bit pricey but seems to work wonders. There may be a less expensive brand that also works)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You need to take a stool softener and stimulant in one pill it is called senna lax and you can buy it over the counter.  I am telling you this bc I have experienced this as well on methadone and it was a quick fix also drink lots of water as well!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am right there with ya,I am currently in treatment at a methadone clinic&neighbors can hear me screaming
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
OMG It hurts so bad please someone help PLEASE. I'm sorry I'm sat on the toilet trying to stool and yet again its like its just jammed up there.... I've been on methadone for about 18 months started on 100ml a day now on 10ml per day. I'm from the UK and was hoping someone could help me thanks very much
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
lol is it the kroger brand stool softener?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I want to THANK ALL OF YOU who told me about the miralax and the flaxseed oil, IT HAS WORKED!!!!! Well I am no longer taking the miralax, only the flaxseed oil and more fiber, but I AM SO HAPPY to be able to go to the bathroom, NORMALLY again!! THANKS AGAIN :) :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I agree. I am now on a diet of metyhadone since Sept 11, 2012 after years of on again off again Lortab use. I have NEVER experienced constipation like this with tabs(even at 10 to 15 a day). I am afraid I am at the point of no help without medical intervention as I have had maybe three bowel movements since then even WITH THE USE OF COLACE. ALL have been EXTREMELY painful. Please help.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh my god I can't even tell you how sorry I am for you going thru this. A few months ago I had this problem and I swear to god it was worse than child birth. I had to finally go to the dr becaus the fear of going was worse than the humiliation of telling my dr. She gave me a numbing cream for the area and suppositories. They're no fun but they eventually helped me a lot. I remember that pain and it's no joke. Try goin to your de. It's your best bet. Or you can get some over the counter numbing cream which is amazing and suppositories. Try it and hopefully it works for you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
what about milk of magnesia? i find it to work great if u take like 6 tblespoons at a time
Helpful - 0
1547495 tn?1298649715
If I know my MMT brethren correctly, there are alot more people out there using FLEET enemas than they say.  Since it is fast, it is the perfect option for having a bowel movement in a scheduled time i.e. before you go to the clinic, or before you take your take-home.  Unfortunately, I think I have become somewhat addicted to these things and I must say that even though I would like to act like Im some OG it is kind of scary.  Any help in weening off of the enemas into a Miralax routine or Lactulose.  But even those are not time friendly.  Uh Fu@k, what to do?
Helpful - 0
1547495 tn?1298649715
Is there any bad time or better time to take an enema.  I am on 135 Mg of Methadone and I must admit since alot of us do not like waiting for our dose we are on a time schedule.  So alot of us do enemas just to keep things moving.  And then in like 10 minutes I will drink my dose.  And I know enemas get in your bloodstream, and today it felt as if my dose was non-existent.  So I was just wondering if drinking your dose to quick after an enema can somehow bother the effectiveness of your dose.  But I do not think so, since the issue has never come up.  If someone knows please let me know
Helpful - 0
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