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Is constipation from Vicodin dangerous?
I take Vicodin and it really constipates me. Is there a serious danger to my body if I'm constipated for too long? I can easily go 5 days without passing a stool if I'm on Vicodin. However, if I drink a cup of coffee in the morning on an empty stomach, it will literally empty my body of stools.
Let me tell you my husband's story (all of it 100% true.)
Six years ago he had excruciating pain from arthritis in his hip. His doctor told him he needed a hip replacement but they were only booking surgeries 4 months out.
In the meantime, his doctor gave him Vicodin to deal with the pain. He had only the 5/500's. Took only 3-4 a day, never more. And it constipated him badly. He tried laxatives, fiber, etc, but he would still go 3 days w/o moving his bowels.
One morning he woke up in severe pain, so bad he called an ambulance (he was staying at his dad's one state over when he was stricken.) By the time I got a call from the hospital, the doctor on duty told me he had ruptured his colon and that I had "better prepare myself for a bad outcome." (that's doctor-speak for: he might die.)
He ended up in 10 hour surgery; the phsyician said his colon was filled with stools that were like rock-hard stones, pointed and sharp. They had torn a hole in his colon that was the biggest they'd ever seen. He barely survived the surgery, ended up with a colostomy bag...luckily after six months they reversed it, but he has never been the same since.
My own doctor (who is also his GP) told us the exact same thing happened to his sister, in her 30's, who was taking Vicoden short term.
So yes, constipation from opiates can be VERY dangerous.
If you must be on these drugs, take something that will keep your bowels moving normally, like Miralax.
Hope this helped.
Six years ago he had excruciating pain from arthritis in his hip. His doctor told him he needed a hip replacement but they were only booking surgeries 4 months out.
In the meantime, his doctor gave him Vicodin to deal with the pain. He had only the 5/500's. Took only 3-4 a day, never more. And it constipated him badly. He tried laxatives, fiber, etc, but he would still go 3 days w/o moving his bowels.
One morning he woke up in severe pain, so bad he called an ambulance (he was staying at his dad's one state over when he was stricken.) By the time I got a call from the hospital, the doctor on duty told me he had ruptured his colon and that I had "better prepare myself for a bad outcome." (that's doctor-speak for: he might die.)
He ended up in 10 hour surgery; the phsyician said his colon was filled with stools that were like rock-hard stones, pointed and sharp. They had torn a hole in his colon that was the biggest they'd ever seen. He barely survived the surgery, ended up with a colostomy bag...luckily after six months they reversed it, but he has never been the same since.
My own doctor (who is also his GP) told us the exact same thing happened to his sister, in her 30's, who was taking Vicoden short term.
So yes, constipation from opiates can be VERY dangerous.
If you must be on these drugs, take something that will keep your bowels moving normally, like Miralax.
Hope this helped.
They will return,slowly and your emotions will be all over the place for awhile. The drugs suppress our emotions and it will take some time for natural endorphins to start working again. It all depends how long you've been on them. If your abusing them or taking high doses as well. I go to aa/na meetings to help me deal with my emotions and to stay clean. It's nice to have other people around to know what your going through so you don't feel so alone.
Will my memory, emotions, and mental ability return to normal if I stop using the Vicodin? OR is the damage permanent?
Yes I agree with all above comments. I have no idea what your health problems are. I always ask Dr or pharmacist b4 taking anything. Magnesium malate, milk thistle, acidophilus. All natural however can have issues with each person is why I always ask. All 3 are natural ways to have bowel movements. Just an idea. Besides being dangerous no movement very uncomfortable.
Yes they're is. Not passing stool is just the start. Soon your memory will go,your emotions and your mental ability to care about anything but where your next Vic will come from. These pain pills are not a good thing to be on. This is a substance abuse forum and most of us are fighting to get off or stay off pills or illegal substances. So becareful is all I have to say. And yes not passing stool is very dangerous. I'm 3 months clean off oxycodone and my bowels still aren't back to normal after 11 years of using. I'd go a week without going to the bathroom...not fun.
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