Constipation question...Need help quick!!

[cindyx4]

Hello:

Short intro: I am a chronic back pain sufferer. Last week I was admitted to te hospital to try to get pain control. I was placed on morphine and vicodin for berakthrough pain. I remember the nurses listening to my abdomin and commenting that had bowel noises and that I was probably going to have a BM soon. Well, I am on day 12 of no bowel movement! I've been taking 2-3 fiber laxatives for the past 3 nigts but still nothing. I was told I should see my family doctor today but my car is in the shop so I won't be able to go.

I've started to feel some really intense pains in the lower left side of my abdomin with pain radiating to my back. My questions: could this cause a bowel obstruction? What would I feel if this were happening? Is there anything I can do at this point to avoid an obstruction? Hubby recommended an enema but I'm not sure that is a good idea. What do you guys think?

Thanks.

Cindy

[rcatbunn]

Don't just take fiber, take fiber with sylium husk and take daily, drink a lot of fluids, eat raisins, prunes, drink apple juice, and take a stool relaxer. A really good one is colace. Not every pharmacy has it on the shelves of the store, sometimes you have to ask the pharmacist, as they have it with them at times, but you do not need a prescription for it. Also, take a bath with epson salts. This will not only help your constipation, but your back as well. My daughter suffers from chronic constipation and we do these things on a daily basis for her. From expereince, the longer it takes to have a bm the worse it will be for you. Your feces can become hard and get lodges in your body causing an obstruction and once that happens, then ouch! There are many things a dr can do to fix it, but many of them are unpleasent! Also make sure you cut back on sugars and add more fibers to your diet. Many times you can call your dr and they will call you a prescription in with out being seen. Hope this helps!

[Reyne]

You could take a laxative??? Your constipation is probably due to the pain meds. I was on a health kick and started different fiber drinks and I was so gassy and constipated I had to go to the ER 2x's. The doc kept saying more fiber and I was right back in the ER with gas pains and constipation. I know it is a horrible thought but an emema might help.

Make sure you call your Doc..he/she will give you the best advice.

[gsford]

Drink a bottle of magnesium citrate you can get at any drugstore. It will clean you out within a day and the pain will stop as it is coming from the constipation. When I first went on morphine, I didn't go to the bathroom for two weeks at a time. I added bulk to my diet and now I go every three days. Its just the nature of the beast. Good Luck Take Care God Bless

[ibake&pray]

If you are going to be on long term meds like that, you will need to watch out for constipation. That is one of the side effect of narcotics. I take Miralax, which used to be prescription, but is now OTC. YOu can get it at Target, Walmart, Cosco. It works in 3 days. I use it on a regular basis as I don't care for the alternatives....

For you now, the previous poster was correct. Drink that nasty stuff and get it done with, Then make sure that you drink plenty of fluids, plenty of fiber and keep on top of this. You don't want to start this as a steady habit!