Tramadol question

[sherlou58]

Hi, I have been taking tramadol for 3 months now for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.  It really helps a lot.  The only thing is...I believe it is the cause of my constipation the last few months.  I have had to use laxatives on and off. When I try to go without, I get to day number six and resort to the laxative due to feeling so uncomfortable.

Do you think that the tramadol is the cause and can I keep taking laxatives for a long period?

Thanks

[carolanivey]

My husband has also had IBS for many years, the kind that causes constipation, and he has become dependent on prescription laxatives. Any alteration in his schedule or diet wreaks havoc on his ability to eliminate, and because he travels for business quite a bit, he often comes home sick.

Though I realize there is no alternative for some people, my advice is if at ALL possible, stay away from chronic use of over the counter, stimulant type laxatives. Eventually they'll stop working, and the next step is prescriptions. When those stop working (and they will), you're stuck. (no pun intended!)

I never had a problem until I hit menopause, but I've found that increasing water intake, adding more whole fruits and veggies, and taking a fiber supplement containing psyllium husks has helped tremendously. There are several types of fiber supplements out there, so you may need to experiment until you find one that works for you.

[SallyUK]

Codeine and constipation: I have found all your entries very useful indeed
I am now drinking 2 litres of water a day and have altered my diet  to include even more green vegetables and citrus fruit.
My constipation was caused by my chronic arthritis pain in the lower back.  Codiene seems to be the only effective painkiller for this.  I cannot do without painkillers and I am grateful for the advice people have given.
Sally UK

[snowleopard]

Try getting a prescription from your doctor called Laxoberal Liquid (Sodium Picosulfate).  This works for me, I have been given it by a gastroenterologist as I have irritable bowel which gives constipation probs.  I take co-odamol for osteoporosis pain problems and this causes a tendency for constipation as well.  This laxative works without causing bad pains.  If I haven't been for a couple of days, I take 5mls and get a good, gentle result.

[smittygirl]

Try taking a stool softener like Senokot or Dulcolax.  They are not laxatives but will help you go without pain.  I tried them both and they do work, good luck.


Sue

[sherlou58]

Well, its the only thing aside from narcotics that helps the pain, so what do you all do to relieve the constipation??

[jessiesmom67]

It does cause constipation....in fact when I stopped taking the tramodal I had the opposite problem for about 2 weeks....

[dene1966]

I have been on Tramodal for yrs for Fibro/autoimmune, and yes it does cause constipation.

Dene

[smittygirl]

It is absolutely the reason for your constipation.  I was never constipated in my life and after being on tramadol for just a week it happened, also had a hard time urinating as well.  Had to stop taking it.  I work for doctors and the one that put me on it said it was highly unusual but the doc I work for said it is a side effect.  I know a few patients who reacted the same way.   See if there is something else you can take.  Best of luck to you.


smittygirl