Questions about OIC

[Tennwalker1]

Hi everyone. I have had excellent luck for the past seven months with being on 150mg of Tramadol and 600mg of horizant. This combination seems to work very well for me. I have had absolutely no RLS for the past 7 months. Been able to sleep well every night. And sometimes even take a nap.

My problem is OIC for those who don't know that's opioid-induced constipation. I've been on several stool softeners a couple of different laxatives and nothing seems to help with any regularity. I've tried Metamucil, Miralax, Colace and generic type stool softeners. Does anyone have anything that works for them? The last time I check with the doctor, he sent me out a prescription which I was anxious to try, but it was very expensive. So when I ask him for something generic or less expensive he suggested the Metamucil and another stool softener. No help.

If anyone has any suggestions I would be open to them. At this stage it seems I am never completely empty. It's very hard to keep trying, and it makes you very lethargic.

I would really appreciate any help that anyone can give me.

Thanks so much,

[Madlegs1]

There are a lot of options.

If you are overweight, lose weight. Drink loads of water or juice. Eat a lot of fruit. Avoid all processed foods especially the white stuff- flour, pasta, sugar etc.

Consider taking less Tramadol if you can stand it. You are possibly on the shortacting one-- might be worth trying the ER version. It is 100mg and might be less constipating.

Excercise is important- walk at keast 5k each day.

Dried fruits such as dates, prunes etc are a delicious way to have snacks and diet.

Cut down on salt intake as well.

That's about all I can think of immediately, but I'm sure some other ideas will come in.

Oh, and avoid nuts!

Cheers.

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks so much Madlegs1. I so appreciate all of you on this forum. Very healthy ideas you gave me. I had grapes after my lunch today for a snack. I could have had prunes, I have those on hand too. That would have been a good substitute. Thanks again!

[Madlegs1 in reply to Tennwalker1]

I'm on opiates as well. I have those resealable bags of fruit (dates,apricots, figs and prunes) all on hand to snack with.😁 Never any problems on the 'long drop' 🤗

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Madlegs1]

Lol. As I've aged, I don't seem to have much luck with fruits dried or otherwise. It seems like I always need more. Even without the opioids I've always been constipated once a month (around my old periods). But, with the opioids, bad news. I will be trying the magnesium citrate though that Joolsg suggested. I'm bound to hit on something sooner or later. Thanks so much for your help.

[Joolsg]

Magnesium citrate is excellent for relieving constipation and some find it helps RLS. Just make sure you take 4 hours before or after Horizant as they interact.

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg I think I may give that try. It cant hurt.

[martino]

It’s good that the meds are helping the RLS but of course it’s a shame about the OIC. I take extended release Tramadol and suffer from constipation but have never hear of OIC or, as has been suggested, magnesium citrate. I am going to get some today and hope it works. Thanks for posting. I live and learn!

[Tennwalker1 in reply to martino]

Me too Martino, me too.

[LotteM]

In addition to Madlegs and Joolsg’s suggestion, I want to add that I use a full tablespoon of broken linseed/flaxseed. It helps a bit. Everyone is different, thus you’ll have to try and find what works for you. I understand your problem and I hope you find something that works soon!

[Tennwalker1 in reply to LotteM]

Thanks so much LotteM. At this point, I hate to give the combination of meds that is keeping the rls away, for now. As we all know, this too can pass who knows what will work next for me or anyone else. I pray they find a cure and real soon.

Thank you again.

[ironbrain]

I don't take opioids/opiates for my RLS – my docs would not be at all keen to prescribe it me.

I do know that there is something called naloxone and it is incorporated into the drug Targinact which you may want to look into. I wouldn't be too keen to have it "messing around" with my gut, but it's the licensed drug for RLS in the UK when dopamine agonists (DAs) are causing augmentation. Maybe it was the expensive drug you were prescribed, but I'm not sure it's much more expensive than DAs – 2mg ropinirole about 50 pence a tablet, I think.

[Tennwalker1 in reply to ironbrain]

Thanks ironbrain. I will have to see if that is what he prescribed. Wish these drug companies would get their prices down. 😠

[Jumpey]

I have the same. Problem.The advice you have been given is spot on. Diet, exercise and magnesium. Loads of dietary fibre is necessary.I find all pulses helpful also beetroot.x

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey, thanks. Do they make magnesium in tablet form? Or do you take it in other foods or natural form?

Thanks again.

[Jumpey in reply to Tennwalker1]

Yes supplement form.Daily capsules.

X

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Jumpey]

👍

[Bajatom]

Meat and milk have no fiber and are constipating. Ease into taking ground flax seed up to as much as several tablespoons throughout the day. The ligins and Omega 3s reduce blood pressure and prevent other diseases. Modern diets are fiber deficient. Wish i could take tramadol. Even 25/4 = 7.5mg leaves me to dizzy to stand.

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Bajatom]

Hi, How do you take the flaxseed. Is it mixed with something? I should probably look this stuff up before I asking a bunch of stupid questions... I'll check it out.

When I first started taking the Tram I got dizzy too, but I hung in there my pain was gone so I had to do something.

Thanks and good luck to you.

[Bajatom]

I buy the seeds in bulk, grind about two cups at a time in small coffee grinder and keep the ground meal in freezer or frig. I sprinkle it on oatmeal, mix a rounded tablespoon in juice or smoothie, put it banana muffins. Just drink plenty of water because it expands a lot

[Tennwalker1 in reply to Bajatom]

Ok thanks a lot.

[rebeccaresearch]

Hi all, I work for a research agency and we are conducting testing on a new website that we are making. This website provides information and support to people with OIC (Opioid Induced Constipation) . I would love to hear about you and your thoughts on the new website. This is paid research - £50 for 45 minutes.

If you would be willing to take part in a session - please fill in this form: docs.google.com/forms/d/1w_...