Over the past 2 mths I have developed severe stomach and bowel pain. I suspect I may be suffering from opioid induced bowel dysfunction?? Other more serious causes have been ruled out. Also have poor appetite.
It has taken me 25years to find something that relieves my RLS, am terrified now regarding where next? And if all opioids will cause this?
Any answers from others suffering with this greatly appreciated.
Oh I totally understand your fear. To find something that helps and then to suffer side effects.Opioids commonly cause bowel issues. It's why they add Naloxone to Oxycontin in Targinact to stop opioid absorption in the lower part of the gut.
I take 2 magnesium pills every night to prevent constipation, eat brassica every night, kefir every day.
I also use Symprove probiotics to keep gut bacteria thriving and help gut motility. Could you try this for a month and see if it helps?
Thanks Joolsg, will try this although my problem is not so much constipation now but going several times in a day without complete emptying (sorry if too much info) 😟
Maybe switching from Temgesic to Targin (which contains Naloxone)might help?Sue Johnson may have some suggestions to add.
Which opiod are you taking & what strength?
I was just thinking to post a similar question. I have started to suffer from pressure in the chest and believe I’m developing GERD. Opiates mess with the digestive tract, and it’s not just constipation. They also change the oesophagus and how stomach acid goes into the gut and how much is produced. My GP has prescribed Famotidine but I’m unsure whether I tolerate it.
Hi do they increase or decrease stomach acid?
They seem to increase it and cause inflammation that way. They recommend that you use Omeprazole or Famotidine but these drugs can aggravate RLS and also shouldn’t be used long term. Apparently they also mess with the absorption of iron.
I think you meant they decrease stomach acid.
Gaviscon Extra Strength Tablets and Liquids are safe antacids for RLS.
I don’t think you read my comment properly Sue. I said opioids increase acid. They case mast cell degranulation. PPI’s and H2 antagonists decrease the acid. Gaviscon is packed with sweeteners so that’s really going to bug sensitive stomachs. The only safe option is Rennie but it doesn’t protect the stomach.
You're right. I thought you were talking about antacids. Gaviscon is used by many without problems and the liquid form has no aspartame nor sugar. As far as rennie it does contain a little sugar, one could also just take tums sugar free.
Whenever something says ‘sugar free’ it’s an indication that there’s sweetener. Sadly they don’t always make it very clear. I’ve looked at this stuff on the internet and it’s shocking how often there is no list of ingredients. As far as I understand, the ‘original’ may not have sweetener but I’ not sure as I haven’t been able to check it. They tend to use phenylalanine which is not something all of us can handle. It’s a precursor to dopamine and it sets me off just as badly as serotonin (tachycardia and RLS). As for Rennie, well it contains real sugar but if you don’t use a lot then it shouldn’t really cause problems. But it could, of course it could! I honestly despair that everything has to be made ‘sweet’ in some way or another. It’s ridiculous. I couldn’t handle any supplements they gave me at the hospital because of this. For instance I asked for an antiacid once and all they could give was Gaviscon with sorbitol. Everything else was equally impossible.
The gaviscon tablets just have aspartame. It does not have phenylalanine. The liquid doesn't have any sweetener at all. However the different forms of gaviscon seem to have different inactive ingredients. The Gaviscon Extra Strength Tablets has no asparatame nor phenylalanine but does have sucrose.
Aspartame is made from aspartic acid and phenylalanine and it’s a sweetener as I’m sure you know. It would be awful for a lot of people with RLS. Just as sorbitol which they also use. I will try and look for one without but have my doubts. In any case it’s not really a long term solution. Tums is an American brand apparently.
I don’t know what tums is.
it's just calcium carbonate the same thing that is in rennie. Check it out on Amazon.
They decrease it.
A safe antacid is Gaviscon Extra Strength Tablets and Liquids.
Don't underestimate the misery that constipation can cause! Not just blocked up but pain, nausea and anorexia. All opioids cause this. But the good news is it's preventable, and you shouldn't have to change your meds . But the treatment has to be aggressive and consistent. Much better to prevent constipation than to try and relieve it after it occurs (which can take a week of aggressive treatment).
Many treatments exist, dietary, OTC laxatives and suppositories and prescriptions. One prescription med I took for a while is naloxagol(Movantil) which blocks the effects of opioids in the gut but not the brain. Your Dr. or Sue can list all the OTC laxatives available in the UK.
I am on buprenorphine. Now I take a heaping tsp of fresh papaya seeds every night at bedtime and it keeps me regular (see my little story just posted this morning), but at one time I was taking 5 different laxatives!
Right now , Nanpat, you probably need to hit it hard from both ends with a combo of stool softeners, fiber supplements, and stimulant and/or osmotic laxatives and suppositories until cleaned out, then start a daily preventative regimen that works.
Good luck!
Paul C. , MD.
Hi thanks for advice. Am aware of the misery as at one stage initially I was in constant agony unable to leave the house. It started with severe constipation requiring treatment from my nurse daughter but now (without giving away too much info) I have 3 or 4 movements with none completely emptying. Also the pain and cramping daily. I am confused if more fibre is the answer or not?
Also I’m in Australia
You dose may be a little high
Yes it does effect the gut , however a lot of adjust our dose.
The slowing down of the central nervous system is what stops the legs . I tell people when they start that this is a good sign as you know it will work.
Try low dose 2 mag forte and miralax when needed.
It is simply a slowing of your bowel .
Buprenorphine and constipation.
Buprenorphine and depression 
Ropinirole vs Buprenorphine! 
Buprenorphine and Nausea
