Fentanyl Patch And Opiod Induced Constipation (Top voted first)

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When I was going crazy with pain and looking for relief ,the patch was a Godsend.I started the patch at 25mcg about 7 years ago, I am now on .75mcg.,and using percocet for breakthrough.I have stopped the Percocet because of the similar affects on the stomach I have become plagued with bowel obstructions and Opiod induced constipation ,have resorted to double dose laxtives and Citro-mag every other day in order to go to the bathroom.On a soft diet for last 4 months and losing weight,Ensure and Gravol have become my new best friend.I would kill for some KFC.Problem is I am going for nerve blocks in a couple of weeks,hoping to reduce the strength of the patch needed,hoping that will help with the bathroom problems. I am terrified about going through withdrawal.Going from 75mcg to 50 mcg seems like a big jump.I thought I could use the 50mcg patch and use something else to make up that 25mcg patch and just reduce that other med a little at a time.Any suggestions on what would be a good medication to take to replace that 25mcg patch.I'm not thrilled with Percocet because of all the Tylenol I would be taking,which would cause other problems.Has anyone else had to deal with the adverse stomach effects of the patch.Any thoughts you might have are greatly appreciated.

19 Replies

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1

Percocet contains Oxycodone and Acetaminophen and the Oxycodone is available by itself, without the Acetaminophen, in three different formulations, there's a time released, a regular release and an instant release.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Oxycodone/­

Has your doctor made any other suggestions?

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3

Hello, I've been on methadone for a while now, and yes the constipation is a b****. But, there's this miracle laxative called "lactulose" my doctor prescribes me. It's basically two sugar molecules that your stomach can't digest, drink a lot of water with this and it will rush water down into your bowels and you'll have the softest happiest poos ever. Ask your doctor about it :)

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6

Miralax and senekot S helped me a lot. I would sometimes take the Miralax twice a day. The senekot S at meals, but no more than 6 pills a day. "An apple a day", plenty of water and exercise as much as possible. It was a real problem there for a while. Now on the downside of a taper off the patches and things are normalizing without all the laxatives.

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17

UPDATE- I ended up going to a gastronoligist (sp) because I was in so much pain from constipation and my Dr. didn't have any answers. These are some of the meds and the side effects for me. Dulcolax EC 5mg 2x day- worked but had flu symptoms. Metoclopramide 10mg 4x day before meals-worked a little, never felt done, started to have muscle pain, lots of side effects with this med, quit taking. Movantic 25mg 1x day before breakfast, worked but not enough, after 7 days felt like I was carrying an extra 200 lbs. Quit taking. Linzess 145mcg 2x day. Didn't work alone. Dr said take with Ducolax- small bm and flu symptoms. Amitiza 2x day-felt sick. Dr said take 1x day-1st day had good bm within 1/2 hour. By 3rd day I was throwing up within 1/2 hour and no bm. Talked to Gastronologist and was told there are no more medications to try. So I called my Pharmicist and explained what had happened. He told me to try taking 2 senna and 2 stool softners am and pm. On 2nd day I had good bm. Kept taking and was having to many bms. Stopped taking am and took 2 of each about 3pm every day. By 5am I was having good bms every day. I am still doing this and still working. Started April 3 it's now April 17th. The reason I take senna and stool at 3 pm is so I can have a bm at about 5-5:30 am the next day. It takes 14 hours to work for me and if I get up and take Vicodin before bm I don't have a bm that day. So I guess when all else fails talk to your pharmacist !! Such a relief to be able to go.

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2

Thanks for your response.Her suggestion is lots of laxatives,trying to cut back on pain meds.I did some research there is a medication (injection) called Relistor,it does not affect the pain relief of opiates , but it does get rid of its constipation problem related to it.It costa a fortune, unless you are an in patient.Living in Canada, they will cover if your doctor makes a special request for extreme cases.She is going to try for it,but have to wait for that response.As it stands right now I guess I'll just dance of Whoppers and Kfc dancing in my head instead of sugar plums.Lets keep on smiling

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4

I was also on 750 mg of Vicodin and Percocet and about 10 other meds. I'm a respiratory therapist. Started drinking ionized water from this Japanese medical device. On may 11 th I bought a machine. My arthritis, diverticulosis, allergies, thyroid problems, acid reflux and heartburn are completely gone. It has changed my life. I now take no meds at all and I have no pain at all. Meds make us sicker and sicker. We do need them sometimes for sure. But people are making themselves sicker by taking so much medicine. Our bodies are not designed to be on these chemicals. This water cleans you out on a cellular level and your body heals itself. Go to watersimplified.com and sign up to watch their webinar at your computer. Whether you believe or not...it works! And imagine all the money you will save on medication....bottled water and other drinks...you will not need to spend money on doctors...surgeries..etc. after that website go to hydrationlocation.com. There are amazing videos you can watch for free. This is a question you ask yourself.....Do I want to be so healthy that I won't need to take any medication at all? You can be healthier...or you can keep being sick. Some people choose to be in the position they are in. Life can be amazing if you have true health. It's out there...and it's real!

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7

Green tea every day and a glass of water with sea salt ( small amount ) flavor with Lemmon if you want . A Chinese Dr had me on this and it did the job big time

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8

Thank you so much for making people aware of Lactulose!! I called my doctor the same day I read your advice and she wrote me a prescription. THANK YOU. Don't know who you are but I think I love you (Smile)

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9

they make Percocet with no Tylenol in it, its called oxycodone. for constipation take senna 3 to 4 times a day and eat a lot of good food that will stimulate b movements

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10

relistor is wonderful but you can't use it for extended periods. i get it given to me when i have to have surgery because the anesthesia and pain meds are the perfect storm of constipation!
long term basis i use miralax and senakot-s. miralax directs the water you consume to the intestinal tract to help soften things. senakot-s is a gentle laxative that was actually created to counter act the constipating effects of oxicodone

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11

I've taken Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, and fentanyl patches. Senokot / Senokot S (or generic) has always worked well for me. Too much can be uncomfortable for several reasons, but if you get the dose right for you it works quite well.

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12

I have been on many opiods for years and am now using the fentanyl patch (75 mcg). I have been taking senna and stool softners for as long as I've been taking the meds. Now I get severe cramping and feel sick all day after using senna and stool softner ( 5 senna and 4 softners ). I've tried Miralax but it has the same effect on me. I have tried high fiber diet with no luck. Now I just wait 3 days then take the senna and stool so I can go, but am miserable for a day after. Can you recommend anything that works without making me feel sick ? Almost forgot that I take 6 Vicodin a day along with the fentanyl patch.

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13

Just an update on my opiod constipation. I still haven't found any relief. Called my Dr and he prescribed an suppository but that also causes stomach pain. So far the only thing that helps is an fleet enema every 2 or 3 days, when I can't take the constipation any longer. Then I'm ok for about 2 days.

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14

Ask dr for linzess works wonders 1 a day some times 1every other day

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15

Hi there, You may want to discuss the following with your current prescriber.
Methylnaltrexone (available as Relistor(R)) helps restore bowel function in patients who have advanced illness and receive opioids for pain relief. Methylnaltrexone is delivered via subcutaneous injection and specifically targets opioid-induced constipation. When given alongside opioid therapy, it is designed to displace the opioid from binding to peripheral receptors in the gut, decreasing the opioid's constipating effects and inducing laxation.
Methylnaltrexone is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that decreases the constipating effects of opioid pain medications in the gastrointestinal tract without diminishing their ability to relieve pain.
Methylnaltrexone blocks peripheral opioid receptors in the gut and unlike other opioid antagonists has restricted ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. As a result, it antagonizes only the peripherally located opioid receptors in the GI tract, so it's action reverses opioid-induced constipation without precipitating withdrawal symptoms or affecting or reversing the central analgesic effects of opioids5.
I hope this assists those suffering from this debilitating condition.
Regards, Zed.

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16

Sue,
It's been a while since you last posted so I'm hoping you've found the solution to your problem. If not you may want to discuss the option of using Relistor or linzess.They are very effective in reversing the symptoms of opiod induced constipation.
Regards,Zed.

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18

Sounds like we're going through same thing. I am also on hydrocodone, methatrexates, soma, synthetic, antidepressants etc as well as stepping down from 75 fentanyl. Mine all started with a near fatal car crash when I was basically "crushed" with broke separated and twisted L1, crushed sternum with broken ribs, punctured lung, crushed arm that sports a steel plat from bend to shoulder joint. 5 yrs later diagnosis with RA, Fibromyalgia, a Lupus, hypothyroidism, OA and scoliosis. I hope you can find relief. Since before my Colon surgery 3 yrs ago I been on colace, Phillips caplets and Miramax. It's works, but not fast. For me it takes several days of taking it. Then you have to plan it out and make sure you don't have a doctor's appt, physical therapy, etc.

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19

Re: AlwaysAWork (# 16) Expand Referenced Message

I am taking Linzess now and it does work. My only complaint is that between the time I take it and the time I'm done I've spent 3 hours with cramps and 1 hour on the toilet. I'm glad it works ! Just wish it didn't take so long .

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5

Oops...I completely forgot to mention I am no longer constipated ever since drinking this alkaline water. It really works!

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