RLS medication opioids constipation

[Shumbah]

Hi everyone I suffered very cruel RLS which was really kicked into fast forward from a bout of Shingles.

After not sleeping , and being unable to even sit or lie downI was ready to implement my suicide plan. I traveled from Australias the John Hopkins also had appointments with other doctors and Professors in NYC and Boston.

My miracle came with 2 mg of buprenorphine which is an opioid nightly it works perfectly however I had to start taking laxatives in the form of 2 ducolax tablets nightly. This worked well for 18 months and now suddenly I am suffering horrific constipation. I am guessing my bowel is irreversible damaged. Just when I though I had my life back 😥

Anyone been through this and any advice I would be very grateful.

I eat fruit daily , green juice daily , rarely eat meat. I am a small eater , I don’t drink and I ensure I hit my 2 litres of water daily.

I have always had sluggish bowels but never took anything until I started the buprenorphine.

[Jimbo77]

Hi Shumbah! Haven’t seen you on here in awhile. I’m sorry to hear about the constipation. I dealt with this as well when I started on the buprenorphine. The fix that I’ve found is I mix 1-2 tablespoons of Psyllium whole husk fiber and a cap full of Miralax into a glass of water. It’s the most disgusting thing you will ever drink, and tests my gag reflex repression every single time, but it works very well for staying regular. Hope it helps 😊

[Shumbah in reply to Jimbo77]

Thanks Jim

Fingers crossed it’s not a permanent problem. The other thing I did recently was start a collagen , protein, peptide powder apparently that can also cause this problem, I stoped it yesterday after I googled side effects .

I have everything crossed except my bowels I hope 🙂

[Shir_11]

Hi ShumbahSince being on the Buprenorphine I have been having All Bran every morning and drinking a warm glass of water first thing in the morning. It seems to have worked and when I think I need extra laxative I take Meta Mucil. I found Durolax much too strong and only took 1 tablet for effect. Hope this works for you.

[Bronte23]

Some suggestions

Ask your GP about prescribing Movicol ( start with one sachet a day and this can be increased as needed). Ask about sodium ducosate tablets. Ask about Magnesium citrate ( really good for your general health and it may ease your constipation). Some folk find that drinking cherry juice( not the fizzy kind) helps too.

I have a similar constipation problem cause by a heart medication. I have consulted a gastroenterologist for advice about medication - I am not medically trained myself and the suggestions above are simply medications you may be able to discuss with your own doctor.

I totally sympathise with your current suffering. Please don’t despair- there will be help available.

Very best wishes.

[Shumbah]

All answers have been very helpful, so far so good got my fingers crossed all stays good.

It’s a day by day thing 😉

[b1b1b1]

I would also suggest that you post on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome site on HU. Many people there have problems with constipation and there are a lot of suggestions. It is also a very active site.

[Shumbah in reply to b1b1b1]

Who would have thought it was the protein powder the clue should have been my swollen fingers and dry mouth ,however good to come out of someone bad I changed what I was taking and my stomach is better than before 😃