constipated

Number of posts : 43 Registration date : 2010-03-12

Hi everyone,
Normally I'm a pretty regular person. I would have a bowel movement at least 1 time a day. It's been since Monday now and I'm not in pain or anything but I don't want this to get to a point where I have to get emergency care. I know I need a laxative. Do you guys have anything that works good for you. I normally don't have a problem like this except when I was using. I would run out of medication and in a day or 2 I went to the point where I couldn't stop.

Any sugestions would be apreciated.

George

Subject: Re: constipated Thu 01 Apr 2010, 10:53 pm

Hi George, If you want to go the natural route oatmeal works like a charm. You can try drinking lots of water. I try to eat fruit everyday along with whole grain cereal and that keeps me pretty regular. I really don't use anything over the counter so maybe somebody else will have a suggestion.

I hope you enjoy this holiday weekend!

Cathy

Subject: Re: constipated Thu 01 Apr 2010, 11:43 pm

Hi George,
This is one subject that I feel strongly that all Suboxone providers need to go over with their patients. I feel this way because of what happen to me not to long ago. There are some over the counter medications that you can try. My Suboxone provider gave me a list and I am happy to share them with you. When you see your provider remember to mention this problem to him so he can document it into your record.
You are right. If left too long you can end up going to the hospital as that is exactly what happened with me. It was one of the most painful things I have gone through.
The natural way as Cathy mentions is always best if you can get it to work for you.
Drinks lots and lots of water to keep your self hydrated, dehydration will very easily lead to constipation.
Foods high in fiber such as oatmeal, bran, salads, Green leafy vegetables.
There are a lot of over the counter preparations, A lot of people have found they need to take a stool softener daily just to keep tings moving along. It is not the same as taking a laxative daily so it is safe on your system.
One thing my provider had me try is Peri-co-lace. It has a stool softener along with a mild laxative in it. When I became constipated I took ex lax and that is what actually sent me to the hospital. The way it was explained to me was that I was "blocked' in the lower bowel so when I took the ex lax it did loosen things up above but could not move anywhere due to the blockage. So the stool softener along with the mild laxative works better. That way both are moving along.
Glycerin suppositories work as well but a lot of people don't like the idea of having to insert something in that that area, so it is a matter of what is comfortable for you.
Most over the counter remedies are designed to work within 6-12 hours so if nothing happens in that length of time, please don't mess around. Get it checked out.
You can check out the post I did on opiate induced constipation here;
Part One,
https://suboxone.forumotion.com/addiction-related-f9/oic-opiate-induced-constipation-part-1-t753.htm
And part two,
https://suboxone.forumotion.com/addiction-related-f9/oic-opiate-induced-constipation-part-2-t757.htm
Good luck George and let us know how you do over the weekend.
Dee

Number of posts : 43 Registration date : 2010-03-12

Thank's Cathy and Dee,

Yea I definitely don't want it to get to that point. It's day 6 for me and I'm still having some problems. I havn't had a bowel movement nor slept good since starting. The other thing I wanted to discuss is the muscle soreness I have. I noticed this on Wed night when I was trying to sleep and it seems to be spreading from my neck, upper back, to lower back, and now to my arms. It's just like really sore. Have any of you ever experienced that?

A lot of questions for my Dr on Monday. I'm hopeing that he can help me. I took a stool softner and It did nothing. I have done some research on this and I don't want to end up with a toxic colon. I'll keep you posted.

Thank's George

Subject: Re: constipated Sat 03 Apr 2010, 12:52 pm

George,
What is your dose right now? the symptoms that you are describing sound like mild withdrawal. The achy part of it. Talk to your doctor like you plan and see what he says. It could be that you need a small increase in your dose. It is important to remember that it can take up to a couple of months for you to stabilize on your Suboxone. Most people even out at 16mg per day some less and a few more. It all depends on the person what their DOC was and how long they were using.
Keep us up to date.
Enjoy your day,
Dee

Number of posts : 43 Registration date : 2010-03-12

Hi Dee,

My dose is one 8mg/2mg in the morning. I was thinking the same thing about the withdrawal. When I wake up in the morning, like today, (I finally did sleep for 5 hr's), I feel lousy, like I'm sluggish, out of it utill I take my dose. I will be telling him everything on Monday. He seems like a good Dr. We'll see. I hope you have a nice weekend and a Happy Easter.

Thank's a lot,

George

Subject: Re: constipated Sat 03 Apr 2010, 7:59 pm

Hi George,
Yes, it does sound like you are experiencing the symptoms of withdrawal. Your doctor will probably increase your dose once you see him on Monday.
I hope that you and your family have a great Easter. Keep in touch
Dee

Number of posts : 43 Registration date : 2010-03-12

Thanks Dee,
I hope you and your family have a happy Easter also. I'll get through it..

George

Number of posts : 43 Registration date : 2010-03-12

Hi Dee,
I was feeling real crapy last night and decided to try a 4 mg increace in my dosage. I ended up feeling really well about a half hour later. I was able to sleep a solid 8 hours, constipated Icon_cheers

, and my constipation problem resolved it's self this morning. I feel that I could use another 4 mg dose tonight but I have already used a 1/2 of a pill that I wasn't suppost to start till tomorrow. I hope the Dr doesn't try to break my stones. Every appointment I have he counts my pills and I have a urine test. I'm going to continue to be honest with him and tell him about how I was feeling prior to the 4 mg increase. Last Tuesday I was dosed in his office with 8 mg's and he told me that I could cut a pill in half and take another 4 mg's if I needed to. He also said that I probably woun't need to though. I feel guilty taking that other half. I just don't want any questioning of me that will make the addict part of my mind go on the defence. We'll see what happens. Now watch, tonight, I will lie awake all night and think about tomorrow's appointment, and him lecturing, and scolding me for not following my instructions regurding my medication. My mind is warped.

I also had a big test last night. I got a call from a friend of mine. He wanted to know if I was alright. Or if I needed anything since he was in my area visiting his daughter. I politely told him no thank's and that I would not be needing anything due to my recovery and my introduction to Suboxone. He said that it's cool that I started that and I was better off, and he should do the same. We both started laughing at that point and he said that he wouldn't ask me anymore. I said that didn't mean we could not still be friends. He agreed and our conversation parted ways with a (Later Bro).
If I didn't have Suboxone, I defenetly would have hooked up with him. I told my wife all about it and she was proud of me. I also had a very nice Easter with my family. It's good to help out my mom. She has MS and it's real hard for her to walk most times. So it has been a great weekend for me. Alot of issues have resolved themselfs and I have learned a lot.

Thank's for letting me ramble,

George

Subject: Re: constipated Mon 05 Apr 2010, 3:11 pm

Hi George,
The most important thing to remember when you go in to see the doctor tomorrow is to be up front and completely honest with him. Let him know that yes, you did take the extra Suboxone and explain to him why and how you were feeling. Let him know about the body aches. I'm sure he will understand. It will take awhile for you to get stabilized on your dose.

It's not going to be easy to let go of the addict within. Some days you will feel like new and on others you may have that little guy sitting on your shoulder trying to sway you from your goal.
The one thing to remember when you see your doctor is that doctors have heard it all. (Or just about.) It is always best if you are completely honest with your Suboxone Provider.
You need to be able to tell him if you take an extra half or 1/4 of a tablet, honesty has to be the number one priority.

I too, am proud of you. Every time that someone goes into recovery it's not long before something happens to test them, their strength. For one girl is was a pill in the bottom of a drawer. I remember her telling me about opening a drawer and there it was. When just the week before when she was waiting for her first appointment she had been looking everywhere for something to take. And nothing was there. But our of no where this pill appeared.
She didn't take the pill but the want was there. Also there, were the memories of what she went through to get to where she was at that time and that is what got her through.
She has been in recovery for two years now.
She was able to make it and so will you.

It sounds like you had a great Easter. Isn't it a good feeling to be able to attend a holiday with the family and not worry about other things. For some people the holidays are the hardest. Memories of using seem to surface most when around a group of people.
I am sure that your mom appreciated the help and was/is glad to have her son back.
I look forward to hearing about your appointment with the doctor.
Dee

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