Do any of you ever take laxitives?

[misspeeps]

I have been told that because I take so much morphine I need to take laxitives regularly to keep everything flowing as it were. I started two nights ago and today experienced full blow loose BMs, like water. I have barely eaten over the past few days so I dont even know where it all came from!

I am seeing my surgeon on the 2nd of jan to discuss the results of the EUA she did a few days ago so I need to use them until then...will this be ok for me to do though? I mean my gutt is already pretty darn bad, This wont mess it up anymore (if thats even possible lol...)
xxx

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I really don't know what to advise, I am on Co-Codamol 30/500 and seem to be the only person whose guts it doesn't slow down, it seems to constipate everyone else or be used not as pain relief but to slow things down!

Have you been on the morphine long enough to see how your bowels react? Maybe cut the laxative dose and see how things go?

 

[misspeeps]

I really don't know what to advise, I am on Co-Codamol 30/500 and seem to be the only person whose guts it doesn't slow down, it seems to constipate everyone else or be used not as pain relief but to slow things down!

Have you been on the morphine long enough to see how your bowels react? Maybe cut the laxative dose and see how things go?

Ive been on it for around two weeks now, before that I was on zapain, then tramadol. All of which slow down my bowels considerably!

When Im not able to go for a few days, I then get even worse bowels so thats why they dont want me consitpated. I dont mind taking laxitives as long as there isnt a long term side effect :S although I suppose less than two weeks isnt long term!
You are soo lucky they dont slow down your gut I get very fed up of doctors saying to me 'well they might make you constipated but for you I suppose that will be a good thing' (this is a GP not a specialist) Being constipated is not a good thing atall xxxx

 

[UnXmas]

I take a lot of codeine, which is also supposed to be constipating, but since I always have loose stool anyway that's a benefit for me. If you're not actually constipated, I wouldn't have though there's any need for laxatives, no matter what meds you're on. You should only need them if you're actually constipated (feeling uncomfortable, not going for many days, hard stool, etc.).


One time I didn't bother taking the laxative prep before a barium test, and when they did the test they said my bowel was empty regardless - by following the liquid diet you're supposed to do before the test and not taking my anti-diarrhea meds for a day my bowel had cleared itself! I'm not recommending disregarding doctors advice, but I do think our guts function differently from other peoples', so the standard advice (like taking laxatives to counteract morphine) don't always apply.

It probably won't do you any long-term harm to take laxatives, but it might make you feel worse if you're taking them if you don't need to. Can you ask doctor about it? not necesarily your surgeon, most doctors (GPs) should know a bit about laxatives since they're used so frequently.

 

[misspeeps]

When I dont take the laxatives I'm extremely constipated but still feeling like I need to go. Still bleeding etc then when some does come out Its soft. It's partly to do with the lump stopping me going too xx

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Occasionally I use miralax, but it is typically during the first days of prednisone, antibiotics or depending on how much of binding foods I eat in a day. I don't ever use more than one a week, if needed. Miralax is actually a more gentle product (doesn't produce the cramping/urgency effect). Not sure exactly what you are using but not all laxatives are made to act the same way.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of water while you are on the laxatives. What many of them do is pull water in your body into your bowels to help flush out whatever is in your system which explains why you have to go so much. Drinking plenty of water may also help reduce the need for the laxatives as it can act as a natural substance to help move things along.

I know that with extended use you can almost permanently alter your bowel habits and thus it is a good idea to talk with your doctor about how long you should use these laxatives and the types of bowel movements you are experiencing on them.

 

[spencer2012]

misspeeps, ive suffered from crohns for 16 years so i know my shit. i understand your on morphine which may bind you up a little. try to stay away from tramadol or any codiene based pain relief while this is happening. although i wouldnt advise any old laxatives as something too strong could cause further issues, i would suggest a little gentle help. movicol is ok but i would strongly recommend 2 small spoonfulls of laculose solution twice a day. its gentle but powerful if you know what i mean. also watch your diet at times like this, that can help incredibly. the key is dont do anything extreme out of frustration and do it gradually. dont go and take a fuck load of lax cause you just want it out. thatll make you worse. i hope that helped babe, and i hope it gets easier for you. god bless

 

[misspeeps]

misspeeps, ive suffered from crohns for 16 years so i know my shit. i understand your on morphine which may bind you up a little. try to stay away from tramadol or any codiene based pain relief while this is happening. although i wouldnt advise any old laxatives as something too strong could cause further issues, i would suggest a little gentle help. movicol is ok but i would strongly recommend 2 small spoonfulls of laculose solution twice a day. its gentle but powerful if you know what i mean. also watch your diet at times like this, that can help incredibly. the key is dont do anything extreme out of frustration and do it gradually. dont go and take a fuck load of lax cause you just want it out. thatll make you worse. i hope that helped babe, and i hope it gets easier for you. god bless

Yes that's great thanks I have only taken herbal laxatives as didn't want to try anything Tokyo strong anyway xxxx

 

[spencer2012]

hope it gets better soon cause i know how frustrating it can be. take care hun xx

 

[spencer2012]

i just checked your meds too and if it is crohns theres a good chance buscapan wont help. buscapan is designed to relieve cramps in the abdoman but in many crohns suffers it can actually help bring them on. im no doctor but if it was me and i wasnt suffering from abdominal cramps per say id be inclined to cut out the buscapan and if i was to suffer cramps of a lower pain level sort them out with 1000mg paracetemol. paracetemol is a lot more effective than people give it credit for. JUST MY OPINION. xx