Vicadin and constipation

[jen76]

why does vicadin make you constipated?  Any suggestions?  I have a broken toe and have been taking vicadin for a week now.  I haven't had a normal bowel movement since.  Help!!  I feel like I'm going to explode.

[beachtowel]

Jen if you don't drink tons of water on opiates you can even impact your colon and that isn't fun...........

Drink water, lots of it............

[anjel75]

When I stopped taking it one time, I felt like I couldn't stretch enough. It felt like I just needed to constantly stretch.

[ohsnap]

Yeah, that is one of the bad side effects of these painkillers!  Fiber caplets will help as well.  You have to make sure to drink a full glass of water with them, because they could swell in your throat if you don't get them down all the way.  Also, as everyone else said, high fiber foods, lots of water.  I've been in your situation (as many have :) ) and know how much it sucks!  I hope it works for you.

[DutchessGolden]

Opiate receptors are widely distributed throughout the respiratory and digestive tract. Way back when.......when morphine was sold over the counter there were two main uses for it: 1. Cough- because opiates dry out mucous secretions and paralyze the lung muscles that contract to make you cough. And 2. diarrhea- because opiates paralyze the intestinal muscles especially the smooth muscle (mostly the large intestine) so everything seems like it gets processes until it's ready to (excuse the epression) "come out" It's at that point that the colon just won't move. This is also the reason for diarrhea in withdrawal. So many people on opiates keep prune juice in the fridge or an over the counter laxative like metamucil. If you have tried these and they haven't helped you might want to ask your doctor about a prescription called mirlax (glycolax), I use it when I get constipated and it especially works within minutes if you put it in a cup of hot coffee as coffee (caffeinated) stimulates the colon to "get moving" It is most effective for me on an empty stomach first thing in the morning when your digestive tract starts moving again( as it pretty much sleeps when you sleep) I hope this helps.

xoxo- D.

[anjel75]

I know this too well. When I light up my first cig of the day though, that is when things want to get going. Not cool! I don't smoke in the house.

[jen76]

I have been taking the vicadin during the day and 2 laxatives at night before bed.  Is it bad to mix the two?  I have to "go" in the morning or else I'm bloated all day.  I can't go a day without going to the bathroom.  I am finatical about my weight.

Also, when I stop taking the vicadin I have muscle pain in my legs is that normal?

[Tpachuck]

He's right....fiber will help.....and prunes or prune juice.If you want you could try a stool softener and/or a mild (Senna) Laxative.Drink lots of water.If you haven't gone in a week don't eat anything heavy (big meals) until you start to go!

[DutchessGolden]

No it's fine to mix the two. It's quite normal to mix opiates and laxatives as opiates will cause constipation or at least difficulty using the restroom for most. If you cannot go to the restroom even after using the laxatives you could increase the dose and spread it out through the day(according to how much the directions say to take) If you will be on opiates for some time you will probably find it normal to take much more of the laxative just for it to be effective. Like angel said, when she smokes her fisr cig. of the day things get going- nicotine is also a stimulant, so I usually take my laxative in coffee and with my first cig. of the day, before that cig. is half gone I have to go. Cigarrettes have been found to be tremendously effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome. I would give the coffee a try. And yes the leg pains are most likely a withdrawal symptom. Even if you've only been on vicodin a week it is normal to experience mild withdrawal symptoms when you don't have the drug.

xoxo- D.

[anjel75]

Oh my... If I were to get me a cup of coffee, light up and pop some laxatives, I think I would NEVER move from the toilet! All of those things are very effective to me, singley! If I were to do it all together, well, that would be a day I would have to call in sick to work and I never do that. I will drag myself into work no matter what not unless it is one of my girls. I try to save all of my sick and vacation time so when they get sick, I can be there. I hope they don't get that sick. I save ALL of it. I would definitely have to call in if I tried the combo though. Whew! I get stomach cramps just from thinking about it....lol

[road2recovery]

i take sufax, everyday and it helps extremely..i have colon problems already and my colon doctor told me it is the safest ..So that is what i do..if i wouldn't i would be in a bind..

[dyblue]

whats suax?

[Bulldog81]

All opiates will make you constipated.  Some people are worse than others.  I know that when i was really constipated..I would eat a ton of oatmeal and prunes every day.  You will eventually go...it may not be a lot...but anything is good when you are feeling that way.  I wouldn't recommend it...but you could always take a laxative...they are definitely not gentlle on your stomach though.  Hope that helps you out somewhat.  Take Care.