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Anesthesia Associates Medical Group
Therapeutic Pain Management
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Constipation and Chronic Pain FAQs
The following material is given as general information only, and is not to be considered as medical advice or consultation. For any questions or further information, please contact your health provider.
| Download PDF version of the FAQs |
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| What is constipation? |
| Because of the serious problems that can occur from constipation in the patient with chronic pain, the goal should be one soft bowel movement every one to two days without cramping or straining. |
| Why do patients with chronic pain have problems with constipation? |
Other medications that can cause constipation include:
| What are other causes of constipation? |
| Why worry about constipation? |
Constipation can be painful. In the extreme, it can lead to complete blockage and serious medical problems.
| Who should be on treatment for constipation? |
If you take opioid pain medicines on a regular basis, you should be taking medicines on a regular basis. If you take opioid pain medicines around-the-clock, you should be on bowel medicines around-the-clock.
Again, the goal should be one soft bowel movement every one to two days without cramping or requiring straining.
| What do you recommend for preventing constipation? |
If you |
Take |
are taking only an occasional pain pill |
Colace® 100 mg pill by mouth twice a day |
are taking pain pills routinely |
Senokot-S® 2 tablets by mouth at bedtime |
have no bowel movements in any 24 hour period |
Increase to Senokot-S® 2 to 4 tablets by mouth two to three times a day |
have no bowel movements in any 48 hour period |
Dulcolax® 2 to 3 tablets at nighttime and up to three times during daytime (take this in addition to the Senokot-S®) |
have no bowel movements in any 72 hour period |
You need to be checked by your doctor to make sure you dont have a blockage (impaction). In addition, you will need to take additional laxatives such as
|
Note: For simplicity, we have used trade names for drugs. Generic drugs may be cheaper and work just as well. Your pharmacist can help you.
| Do you recommend bulk laxatives, such as Metamucil®? |
No. In patients on large doses of opioid pain medications, bulk laxatives (fiber laxatives) can lead to a high blockage, which can be serious.
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