Interesting Tx for OIC

[Doctorplacebo]

Sorry about the abbreviations. If you have Opioid-Induced Constipation (OIC) you might be interested in this little story. Tx means Treatment.

I am currently on low-dose opioid for RLS--buprenorphine, but previously methadone--and I suffer from OIC. I have been taking a variety of laxatives to manage it, and while on methadone I even had to take a designer drug, Movantil (naloxagol), which blocks peripheral opioid receptors but doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier.

Recently, my wife discovered this nice Indian grocery store which sells great produce, including delicious ripe papayas. This reminded me of my time as a medical student working in West Africa at the Albert Sweitzer Hospital in Lambarene, Gabon. We used to prescribe fresh papaya seeds for constipation.

I had never tried it myself so I just decided to try it! For the past week I have been swallowing a heaping teaspoon of seeds which were scooped out from inside a papaya, chased down with a swig of water, at bedtime. No chewing. And it works! Haven't needed any laxatives!

One minor victory in a long battle full of failures.

[SueJohnson]

That's great !

[Madlegs1]

Great idea!

[Whymelord]

Hi,yes like you I suffer awful constipation due to Opioids and other meds.ive tried everything without success, I will definitely give Papaya seeds a try,thankyou for this .

[DicCarlson]

There is also an ayuverdic three herb combination call Triphala - it works wonders!

[Jetto]

thanks but can’t take them