smartblonderule
04-04-2008, 12:41 AM
Newbie here: I have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, tumors on spine, degenerative disc disease, disc buldge, muscle degeneration, bakers cyst, so on and so on
I have a question: I take 10/325 mg 8 tablets of percocet a day to mild relief of fibro chronic pain. I take 3 baths a day so i can tolerate the meds.. I now have a uticaria that started on my feet and has spread all on my backside and on my arms...follows the water line.. looks like i am burnt..But I had a colonoscopy done because I truly gross cannot have a bowel movement.. I have to manually remove it..it just pools in the rectum area and I bleed .....so they found out I have a narcotic colon.. If i do not stop the percocet completely my colon will no longer function.. I tried to cut it down to two a day.. withdrawals were unbearable..I am not back up to 8 and my colon is not functioning.. I truly cannot decide what is worse loosing the colon or loosing the percocet then i will loose my ability to live. Plus I am now allergic or severe adverse reactions to 21 meds...so I have no other option...Seems like I am living each day to die...I dont want to sound morbid.. but has anyone had or have the narcotic colon.. take care my friends.. plus i am trying for disability since 2005 and i see the judge on april 30, my attorney says it will be difficult because I have so many problems and they (ss) only looks at one system not at the whole picture...I dont know.. sometimes I wish those people could walk an hour in our shoes.. God bless all....
I have a question: I take 10/325 mg 8 tablets of percocet a day to mild relief of fibro chronic pain. I take 3 baths a day so i can tolerate the meds.. I now have a uticaria that started on my feet and has spread all on my backside and on my arms...follows the water line.. looks like i am burnt..But I had a colonoscopy done because I truly gross cannot have a bowel movement.. I have to manually remove it..it just pools in the rectum area and I bleed .....so they found out I have a narcotic colon.. If i do not stop the percocet completely my colon will no longer function.. I tried to cut it down to two a day.. withdrawals were unbearable..I am not back up to 8 and my colon is not functioning.. I truly cannot decide what is worse loosing the colon or loosing the percocet then i will loose my ability to live. Plus I am now allergic or severe adverse reactions to 21 meds...so I have no other option...Seems like I am living each day to die...I dont want to sound morbid.. but has anyone had or have the narcotic colon.. take care my friends.. plus i am trying for disability since 2005 and i see the judge on april 30, my attorney says it will be difficult because I have so many problems and they (ss) only looks at one system not at the whole picture...I dont know.. sometimes I wish those people could walk an hour in our shoes.. God bless all....
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mimgregg
04-04-2008, 01:42 AM
Wow you are dealing with a lot. I too am waiting for my hearing but they have put the date on hold as they have become backed up in the capitol city. I have had narcotic colon when I was taking that and some days more percocet than you when a disc herniated and then blew. The only way I could have my percocet and function too was massive quantities of water and fiber. There were still times I donned the rubber gloves and ky jelly and had to clear out the outer colon but it was much better than before I was not drinking the water and taking plenty of fiber supplements as well as increasing fiber through my diet. Hang in there!
Mim Gregg
Mim Gregg
bluelakelady
04-04-2008, 11:23 AM
oh yea! how well i remember those days. you poor baby. i feel for you. i started taking docusate sodium, a stool softener morning and night, increased my water intake and weaned myself down to 3 pain pills a day. the pain pills are for r.a. not fibro.
if you do this you must increase your water intake. vital or it will make things worse. after retraining my body i now only take one d.s. at night.
stop digging it out. your body comes to expect you to do this and gets lazy. the pills relax your colon so it forgets to wake up, actually it goes into a coma.
for myself i realized i would rather be in pain than not be able to go poo. do you wear a surgical glove when you help your body? important as that tissue is so fragil and a fingernail will rip it, causing another bleeding weak spot within.
laxatives are habit forming. in this case tho it may be an answer. the colon is a lazy organ. always ready to let anyone else do it's job. right now it depends on your hand. perhaps laxatives are less invasive at this point.
i keep thinking back to when it was me and how embarrasing i thought it all was.
the balance is so fragil between livable and side affects of our meds.
peace,
blue
if you do this you must increase your water intake. vital or it will make things worse. after retraining my body i now only take one d.s. at night.
stop digging it out. your body comes to expect you to do this and gets lazy. the pills relax your colon so it forgets to wake up, actually it goes into a coma.
for myself i realized i would rather be in pain than not be able to go poo. do you wear a surgical glove when you help your body? important as that tissue is so fragil and a fingernail will rip it, causing another bleeding weak spot within.
laxatives are habit forming. in this case tho it may be an answer. the colon is a lazy organ. always ready to let anyone else do it's job. right now it depends on your hand. perhaps laxatives are less invasive at this point.
i keep thinking back to when it was me and how embarrasing i thought it all was.
the balance is so fragil between livable and side affects of our meds.
peace,
blue
bluelakelady
04-04-2008, 11:25 AM
shame on me. got focused on your bum and forgot to say a heartfelt welcome to the boards. welcome, welcome.
peace,
bluelakelady
peace,
bluelakelady
Ishla
04-05-2008, 03:53 AM
I have never heard of this condition, and it's very scary to think about having something like this happen just because we seek relief from constant pain.
I have IBS, and was on the Zelnorm until it was recalled. It was wonderful... it made me regular for the first time in over 20 years, but I'd rather go thru IBS than die, so I guess it's a fair loss.
Anyway, I recently discovered by accident, an amazingly simple, and relatively in-expensive way to make my system work nearly perfectly. I eat about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of uncooked pecans every day. I wonder if this might be helpful to you and your Narcotic Colon condition. I have felt a number of times that sensation you spoke of with everything "pooling" in the lower colon and just sitting there, and as long as I eat my pecans, I don't have that at all.
I hope you can try this and I hope it is helpful if you do. I am so very lucky that I get my pecans for free (my folks have several trees that really produce each season), but this nut is not that very expensive. And readily available almost everywhere.
I have IBS, and was on the Zelnorm until it was recalled. It was wonderful... it made me regular for the first time in over 20 years, but I'd rather go thru IBS than die, so I guess it's a fair loss.
Anyway, I recently discovered by accident, an amazingly simple, and relatively in-expensive way to make my system work nearly perfectly. I eat about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of uncooked pecans every day. I wonder if this might be helpful to you and your Narcotic Colon condition. I have felt a number of times that sensation you spoke of with everything "pooling" in the lower colon and just sitting there, and as long as I eat my pecans, I don't have that at all.
I hope you can try this and I hope it is helpful if you do. I am so very lucky that I get my pecans for free (my folks have several trees that really produce each season), but this nut is not that very expensive. And readily available almost everywhere.
Lost Robin
04-05-2008, 01:04 PM
Welcome to the boards. I'm just so sorry you're having such a tough time.
Wow ... now I think I know what's wrong with me (at least in that area of my body!)
That "pooling" feeling you talk about, does it feel like you have pressure down there? That's what mine feels like and I was actually afraid I was developing a tumor down there that was causing that feeling.
I was diagnosed with IBS long before fibromyalgia. However, ever since I switched over to methadone for my FM last fall I have had a bad time with constipation. I would go a week without going #2 if I didn't take something for it, and it would be so hard that I felt as though I was going to have to "give myself a hand" on more than one occasion. (Gosh this is a gross thing to talk about! :eek:)
Stool softeners alone didn't make it happen so I found that taking 2 of those plus 1 and sometimes 2 laxitives would do the trick. Like everyone else here, I'm afraid of becoming dependent on this stuff, too.
What are your doctors telling you guys to do? You would think the docs prescribing this stuff would have warned us about this possibility and should certainly be able to give us advice about how to handle it, e.g. switch meds, trying more natural or safer methods of relieving the constipation, etc.
By the way, Ishla, I LOVE pecans but that is not an option for me. ANOTHER side effect of taking narcotics ... last year I lost all but five of my teeth within a couple months' time. My ex found a newsweek article entitled "Lawsuits and Lollipops" which was about numerous lawsuits being filed against the pharmaceutical company who makes "Actiq", a fentanyl-based lollipop I took to fight my severe breakthrough pain. Come to find out, it can cause tooth loss but there were no warnings about this.
Anyway, I definitely need to find a solution that does not involve chewing anything hard!
These darned illnesses can truly be far reaching! (Oh gees, pardon another pun!) ;) Oh well, it's healthy for us to laugh at ourselves sometimes.
Wishing you all pain-free days! :wave:
Wow ... now I think I know what's wrong with me (at least in that area of my body!)
That "pooling" feeling you talk about, does it feel like you have pressure down there? That's what mine feels like and I was actually afraid I was developing a tumor down there that was causing that feeling.
I was diagnosed with IBS long before fibromyalgia. However, ever since I switched over to methadone for my FM last fall I have had a bad time with constipation. I would go a week without going #2 if I didn't take something for it, and it would be so hard that I felt as though I was going to have to "give myself a hand" on more than one occasion. (Gosh this is a gross thing to talk about! :eek:)
Stool softeners alone didn't make it happen so I found that taking 2 of those plus 1 and sometimes 2 laxitives would do the trick. Like everyone else here, I'm afraid of becoming dependent on this stuff, too.
What are your doctors telling you guys to do? You would think the docs prescribing this stuff would have warned us about this possibility and should certainly be able to give us advice about how to handle it, e.g. switch meds, trying more natural or safer methods of relieving the constipation, etc.
By the way, Ishla, I LOVE pecans but that is not an option for me. ANOTHER side effect of taking narcotics ... last year I lost all but five of my teeth within a couple months' time. My ex found a newsweek article entitled "Lawsuits and Lollipops" which was about numerous lawsuits being filed against the pharmaceutical company who makes "Actiq", a fentanyl-based lollipop I took to fight my severe breakthrough pain. Come to find out, it can cause tooth loss but there were no warnings about this.
Anyway, I definitely need to find a solution that does not involve chewing anything hard!
These darned illnesses can truly be far reaching! (Oh gees, pardon another pun!) ;) Oh well, it's healthy for us to laugh at ourselves sometimes.
Wishing you all pain-free days! :wave:
gorgee
04-05-2008, 05:24 PM
Hi all, I have always dealt with constipation since I was a teenager. I was even hospitalized with my first child when I was pregnant, because I was so constipated, I had swore that evening that I would sit down on the couch, drink lots of water, have him bring me dinner, while I sit on heating pads and drink water. Well also keep in mind I have been trying help me go by taking stool softeners, extra fiber, and lots of berries. So I had an achey back and I felt horrible, I probaly had not gone to the bathroom for 5 or more days. I was prepared that I would go soon. I drank and drank from a gallon jug, as I drank and drank, I had the sensation to go pee, and at first it was a trickle, and then nothing would come out. I kept trying to walk and hope I could go pee, and nothing came out. I was so scared. I called my aunt and she said that is not good, and then I called my ob/gyn and they wanted me to come to the hospital. I was so embarassed. I had to stay the night because I was so constipated that it blocked my urinary tract, and the pressure was horrible. When I was finally able to go pee at the hospital it was almost a full gallon! Also, at first the baby was in mild distress, and as I got the number 2 going everything went right back in place. I had to have an enema, and suppository. I was embarassed beyond belief, and at that point I had realized my husband had seen it all. I was no longer embarassed about going number 2 around him. If I had to go, you go,
Ok, now back to what we are talking about. I am a chronic pain person too, and I battle the constipation too. I take 2-3 stool softeners a day, miralax, fiber sure, and I have increased my fiber uptake by eating the right food, like cereal and fruit. I have found a cereal that is great it is All Bran strawberry medley and it has 40% of your daily fiber in it, and I add fiber sure to the cereal. I start off the day with that, and then later on I treat it again with the miralax mixed with apple juice. I have to treat it like it is my medicine, like I take my other meds. I also eat a lot of prunes, and we have found that they are better cold in the refrigerator.
I hope I offered some advice. I have dealt with that pressure of it building up, and I have 3 outside hemorroids from the severe constipation, and pushing (also from pregnancy and pushing the babies out).
Good luck,
Kassandra
Ok, now back to what we are talking about. I am a chronic pain person too, and I battle the constipation too. I take 2-3 stool softeners a day, miralax, fiber sure, and I have increased my fiber uptake by eating the right food, like cereal and fruit. I have found a cereal that is great it is All Bran strawberry medley and it has 40% of your daily fiber in it, and I add fiber sure to the cereal. I start off the day with that, and then later on I treat it again with the miralax mixed with apple juice. I have to treat it like it is my medicine, like I take my other meds. I also eat a lot of prunes, and we have found that they are better cold in the refrigerator.
I hope I offered some advice. I have dealt with that pressure of it building up, and I have 3 outside hemorroids from the severe constipation, and pushing (also from pregnancy and pushing the babies out).
Good luck,
Kassandra
Ishla
04-08-2008, 11:00 AM
Anyway, I definitely need to find a solution that does not involve chewing anything hard!
I know this problem with teeth well, getting full uppers over the next two months.. and not looking forward to it. I have one molar top and bottom that I can chew with until then. On days when my mouth hurts, I run my nuts through a food processor and litterally let a machine "chew" it for me, then it's more like pecan butter.. yummy! ;)
I know this problem with teeth well, getting full uppers over the next two months.. and not looking forward to it. I have one molar top and bottom that I can chew with until then. On days when my mouth hurts, I run my nuts through a food processor and litterally let a machine "chew" it for me, then it's more like pecan butter.. yummy! ;)
bluelakelady
04-09-2008, 10:17 AM
ishla,
once a year goes by after you get your new smile you will be able to eat nuts and even corn on the cob. i had all my uppers removed about 4 years ago. what a relief that was after i healed.
i forgot to say i never take pain meds after 4 pm. studied myself and found that was my bodies way to a bowel movement the next day.
get off the heating pad. it relaxes the colon too. the colon is so lazy!!
peace and poo,
blue
once a year goes by after you get your new smile you will be able to eat nuts and even corn on the cob. i had all my uppers removed about 4 years ago. what a relief that was after i healed.
i forgot to say i never take pain meds after 4 pm. studied myself and found that was my bodies way to a bowel movement the next day.
get off the heating pad. it relaxes the colon too. the colon is so lazy!!
peace and poo,
blue
baserockermom
04-09-2008, 10:33 AM
Welcome to the boards, smartblonderule (love that name and I'm a brunette!)! My word you win, though I'm sure you don't consider it "winning," but my word you are handling so much at one time. AND Y'ALL ARE SCARING the daylights out of me! The Lyrica has totally shut me down unless I take correctol and I feel that same pressure! I think I'll do the enema and correctol today and start the ds tomorrow. What in heavens caused the teeth to go? What med? I don't want to give up Lyrica, it helps a lot, but if that's what's in store with it... better look at the side effects again. Kass, I do the heating pad all the time because of it, too. Dang y'all are freakin' scaring me!
Lost Robin
04-09-2008, 11:28 AM
Baserockermom - As I mentioned in my post, apparently, my tooth loss was caused by Actiq which contains fentynal. This med comes in the form of a "lollipop" that you hold between your tongue and cheek and you're supposed to hold it there for about 15 minutes before it is totally dissolved, and therein lies the problem. Besides containing a powerful narcotic they are also loaded with sugar so I guess over a period of time they literally rot your teeth out. There were absolutely no warnings on the label and the doctors were unaware that these darn things had such a serious side effect. That's why there are quite a few lawsuits pending and quite a few have been awarded.
I took Actiq for severe breakthrough pain and, as you are all aware, the last thing you are thinking about when you are in that much pain is jumping out of bed and brushing your teeth! You're just sooooo greatful and sooooo relieved to have that pain subside that you just gratefully fall off to sleep. However, if I were aware that I could lose my teeth I could have at least had a toothbrush, cup and glass of water at my bediside! :D
Looking back, it kind of scares me that I lost them so quickly. This all happened within about 2 months. I have since learned that there are a few very serious illnesses that can also cause this to happen (diabetes, leukemia and I can't remember the third one but it was pretty ugly. I need to mention this to my doc the next time I go.
I took Actiq for severe breakthrough pain and, as you are all aware, the last thing you are thinking about when you are in that much pain is jumping out of bed and brushing your teeth! You're just sooooo greatful and sooooo relieved to have that pain subside that you just gratefully fall off to sleep. However, if I were aware that I could lose my teeth I could have at least had a toothbrush, cup and glass of water at my bediside! :D
Looking back, it kind of scares me that I lost them so quickly. This all happened within about 2 months. I have since learned that there are a few very serious illnesses that can also cause this to happen (diabetes, leukemia and I can't remember the third one but it was pretty ugly. I need to mention this to my doc the next time I go.
baserockermom
04-09-2008, 01:29 PM
That makes me feel better for me, but I can't imagine how you handled that other than having to!!! Good grannies!
Ishla
04-09-2008, 03:45 PM
Baserockermom, I don't know what caused my teeth to go because it came on so gradually. I do know that just before my thyroid messed up about 6 years ago, my teeth started getting brittle, was loosing bits of my teeth every time I brushed. There was not so much pain as distress over the teeth just falling apart. For years I had these stains right along my gumline that dentists had all been saying was just that, staining, until I stumbled upon the dentists that I see now. They told me that this was indeed decay after all, and that it should have been addressed back when it first appeared, not now that they were falling apart. I was so furious at my former dentists..
I now know that I was also suffering from Vit D deficiency, which I have learned will also ruin your teeth, you need the D to absorb calcium for healthy teeth. Since I've been on D, they have not disentegrated quit as rapidly, and hopefully, I wont loose any more than I already have to get the dentures. It's a vicious turn of events that just came together just right for me to loose my teeth. But, like Blue points out... Corn on the cob.. yummy!!:D
I now know that I was also suffering from Vit D deficiency, which I have learned will also ruin your teeth, you need the D to absorb calcium for healthy teeth. Since I've been on D, they have not disentegrated quit as rapidly, and hopefully, I wont loose any more than I already have to get the dentures. It's a vicious turn of events that just came together just right for me to loose my teeth. But, like Blue points out... Corn on the cob.. yummy!!:D
sandy0224
04-09-2008, 06:38 PM
I have had a breakthru with Miralax. I took two dosages in one day the other day and the results were absolutely amazing! Now I am taking one dose a day and it's almost TOO much. I never thought I would say this but I am going TOO much. It's almost too loose and I can't control it. I have to say, I have literally lost 5 lbs after starting the Miralax less than a week ago and my belly is so much happier!!! It really has been a miracle.
I took Amitiza for about 2-3 days and had really bad side effects from it, extreme body pain, like my regular fibro pain 100 times over!!! I had to stop it but it didn't even give me the results the Miralax did.
The docs say you can take 2 doses a day til you get regular, and let me tell you, it works, at least in my case!
This is the first time in YEARS that I am not constipated. I would go 8-10 days without going, then take a double or triple dose of MOM to be able to go. It was nuts!
I'm taking methadone too and have had problems on mscontin, oxycontin, all of them with severe constipation.
I know this is just my experience, but if you haven't tried the miralax, they make a small bottle you can try and see if you like it.
Sandy
I took Amitiza for about 2-3 days and had really bad side effects from it, extreme body pain, like my regular fibro pain 100 times over!!! I had to stop it but it didn't even give me the results the Miralax did.
The docs say you can take 2 doses a day til you get regular, and let me tell you, it works, at least in my case!
This is the first time in YEARS that I am not constipated. I would go 8-10 days without going, then take a double or triple dose of MOM to be able to go. It was nuts!
I'm taking methadone too and have had problems on mscontin, oxycontin, all of them with severe constipation.
I know this is just my experience, but if you haven't tried the miralax, they make a small bottle you can try and see if you like it.
Sandy
Grapedy
04-10-2008, 12:42 AM
Miralax is one of the safest drugs that's even been put on the market for constipation. It's also the only one indicated for chronic long term usage. Plus it's over the counter now, so easily accessible.
baserockermom
04-10-2008, 04:23 PM
Ishla, I bet you were some kind of FURIOUS at that old dentist--my word, did he get a mail order degree??? I take the Vitamin D on top of Centrum because of what some of you have said here.
Sandy and Grapedy, I just saw the pain spec and he said use senekot every day. What do y'all think? Miralex or just try senekot? I tried a suppository and two correctol's last night with little results. You just gotta wonder where it is stuck after awhile!!! Yucko this thread, but very helpful!
Sandy and Grapedy, I just saw the pain spec and he said use senekot every day. What do y'all think? Miralex or just try senekot? I tried a suppository and two correctol's last night with little results. You just gotta wonder where it is stuck after awhile!!! Yucko this thread, but very helpful!
sandy0224
04-10-2008, 05:54 PM
I never had much luck with those kinds of laxatives, thats why I went to the Miralax. I don't want to tell you to go against what your doctor tells you. I know what you mean about wondering where it's stuck in there....there have been times I've used an enema AND a suppository, with almost no results. I was getting scared then.
I know the miralax works for a lot of other people as well, so it's something to consider, and like I said, they make a small bottle to try. It doesn't work instantly, it took a couple days, but once I started going I REALLY started going.
I skipped my dose yesterday because of the loose stools and today I went again, all on my own!! LOL It's like a miracle, really it is!!! So I guess I'll go to every other day now and see how I do with that.
I know the miralax works for a lot of other people as well, so it's something to consider, and like I said, they make a small bottle to try. It doesn't work instantly, it took a couple days, but once I started going I REALLY started going.
I skipped my dose yesterday because of the loose stools and today I went again, all on my own!! LOL It's like a miracle, really it is!!! So I guess I'll go to every other day now and see how I do with that.
baserockermom
04-10-2008, 10:17 PM
Thanks, Sandy. Is Miralex a liquid? Do you have to mix it in with something?
gaudet2
04-10-2008, 10:51 PM
Hello girls... :wave:
Not sure if my advice will be helpful, but prior to my diagnosis of fibromyalgia in March, I had surgery. I had a I had two external hemorrhoids and four internal hemorrhoids removed, a fissure repair, and a sphincterotomy (I am pretty sure this is what made my fibro flare and finally get a diagnosis). Anyway, I am pretty well educated on the colon and going #2.
What works for me is I take two stool softeners every night (my gastroenterologist said this is fine long term). In addition, I take two citrucel tablets every day (I hate the powder...yuck). Eat as much fiber as you can and drink lots of fluids. I don't like water much, so I drank a lot of Gatorade. I did get extremely constipated right after the surgery and had taken Milk of Magnesia for three days with no solution. I asked my dad to get me some prune juice, and boy did that do the trick! He told me to drink a whole glass, but I only took a couple of gulps and within 20 minutes I was on the hopper. This is when I started my daily ritual of stool softeners and Citrucel and I have been more regular now than I have ever been in my life (I used to go maybe once a week).
If you have pain with your BM :blob_fire, I would highly recommend flushable wipes. Charmin makes some and I have found them to be a life saver during my healing from my surgery. I loved them so much that I even continue to use them to this day when I have a hard stool and it causes pain.
When in doubt, a laxative always does the trick, but never rely on them. It is ok to use if all other things fail, but they can be harmful if used too often. I always have a box in the cupboard though.
Hope this has been helpful to some. I have had issues with most of my body...before my fibro diagnosis, so I have a wealth of stories I can share.
gaudet2
Not sure if my advice will be helpful, but prior to my diagnosis of fibromyalgia in March, I had surgery. I had a I had two external hemorrhoids and four internal hemorrhoids removed, a fissure repair, and a sphincterotomy (I am pretty sure this is what made my fibro flare and finally get a diagnosis). Anyway, I am pretty well educated on the colon and going #2.
What works for me is I take two stool softeners every night (my gastroenterologist said this is fine long term). In addition, I take two citrucel tablets every day (I hate the powder...yuck). Eat as much fiber as you can and drink lots of fluids. I don't like water much, so I drank a lot of Gatorade. I did get extremely constipated right after the surgery and had taken Milk of Magnesia for three days with no solution. I asked my dad to get me some prune juice, and boy did that do the trick! He told me to drink a whole glass, but I only took a couple of gulps and within 20 minutes I was on the hopper. This is when I started my daily ritual of stool softeners and Citrucel and I have been more regular now than I have ever been in my life (I used to go maybe once a week).
If you have pain with your BM :blob_fire, I would highly recommend flushable wipes. Charmin makes some and I have found them to be a life saver during my healing from my surgery. I loved them so much that I even continue to use them to this day when I have a hard stool and it causes pain.
When in doubt, a laxative always does the trick, but never rely on them. It is ok to use if all other things fail, but they can be harmful if used too often. I always have a box in the cupboard though.
Hope this has been helpful to some. I have had issues with most of my body...before my fibro diagnosis, so I have a wealth of stories I can share.
gaudet2
baserockermom
04-11-2008, 09:13 AM
Gaudet, thanks. Not glad you went through what you had to go through to be an expert on #2, but appreciate your passing on the advice!
fantasyworld
07-18-2009, 10:34 AM
hello everyone, i see we are discussing Actiq and constipation. All narcotic medications will cause constipation and you need a daily stool softner. If the Dr. fails to tell you about this , they are negligent. Actiq is a good breakthru pain relief but unless you have cancer you can't get it. This is really bad because if it works and they won't give it to you what good is it then.I have been on it about 5 years I don't have cancer so now the dr .tells me he can't increase the mcq because the law prevents it. This is so devastating to me because it works for me. I have been in a pain clinic x10 years and as you know , have to work on keeping the ol bowel moving. It can be challenging but don't get discouraged just take the meds for it , drink water and lots of it, and try to stay on a schedule and of course diet is good for it. If any of you out there know anything about this law and where i can read about it please email me here . Thanks, Diane