As others have mentioned, it generally gets easier with time, and there are solution options.

Constipation from "opioid" medications

Opiate induced constipation

Try archives & goggle for more.

opioid constipation

opioid constipation treatment

Doc

Thank you Doc for those links. Most helpful. Think I'll start with the more natural ideas first and see how that goes. Hopefully with time things will settle down. I don't suffer often, but when I do, the whole street knows about it! lol

Tramadol
 

[QUOTE=jarrett622;1095031]When I first started the Ultram (Tramadol) constipation was an issue. I've been on it for 5 or 6 years now and that's never an issue anymore. If you take it regularly I think you're better off from that perspective. Increase fluid and fiber intake at first. It helps. Thinking back, trying to remember, it seems it was just about a month of regular use when the constipation eased.

For me, Ultram was a life saver. It mutes the the shooting - stabbing pain. Most of the burning too.

ETA: I had forgotten another side effect that wears off over time: The nausea. Don't take it on an empty stomach if that's a problem for you. It doesn't do that to me anymore.

Hi Jarrett
I started taking Tramadol around 4 mos ago for neuropathic pain caused by Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I was hesitant at first bc I didn't want to become "addicted" to it. I take 50-75 mgs a day/as needed. (And I need it everyday!) I know I need to increase it. Trying to increase it slowly because of SE. Chest pain and pressure is my only SE. I take Miralax for constipation, which works well, if anyone else is interested. I also take 300 mgs Lyrica for the pain which is not helping!
How much Tramadol do you take? You say its been a lifesaver and helps with your shooting/stabbing/burning pain. I wish it would help with my buzzing/tingling/stabbing/ burning pain the way it helps you. Do you have any other symptoms? Do you take anything else with the Tramadol? Sorry for all the questions. Still struggling to find a med/combo for this dreadful pain. Thanks!

[QUOTE=Dr. Smith;1095230]RLA killed the burning pain for me; B5 (Pantothenic Acid) took care of the needle jabs/electric shocks. Foot cramps are still a problem, albeit not as much—same with other flavors of PN pain
Hi Doc
You still take RLA for your burning pain? Are you Diabetic? After a couple of mos (100mgs) with no results I stopped taking it. How much RLA do you take? I read that RLA works best for Diabetic neuropathy. Seems to be the case with most of the B Vitamins including B12. The Meth/B12 is the only vitamin I still take even though my lab blood level is high (1200). I suffer from Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I take Lyrica and just starting taking Tramadol for my buzzing/stabbing/electric-shocks/burning pain. They don't seem to work either. :( I never tried B5, does that help with I-Neuropathic pain? Thanks ...

Constipation
 

[QUOTE=AussieDebbie;1094938]Hi Joanne,

I'm fairly new to pain relief myself. Started taking Lyrica and Tramadol about a year ago, and haven't been on any other pain meds.

Your mentioning constipation got my attention. I've never had it in my life until this year. I have been blaming Iron supplements but perhaps it's the Tramadol! It's only a few times a month, and Tramadol helps so much I'm willing to let it be. Thanks for bringing the drug connection to my attention. :)

Hopefully some others here who have tried various pain medications can give us some insights

Hi Joanne,
Have you tried Miralax? Taking prunes and prune juice can help, but then its something you have to drink or eat everyday. I use Miralax, its great for constipation! And it does not cause bloating or gas. You use one capful in any kind of liquid, hot or cold every morning. See how that works. If you need more you can take a second capful later in the day. My Gastro gave me Miralax 10 yrs ago for IBS-C. But I need it more now because of lyrica and tramadol. Doc says there are no long-term affects and I will probably use it for the rest of my life. My Gastro Doc is OK with that. Don't use stool softeners or other "laxatives" everyday if you dont have too. They can become habit-forming.
I get a script from my Doc for Miralax (Generic-Polyethylene Glycol) and pay a small co-pay when I get it as a prescription. Its much cheaper getting it this way then buying it over the counter. Ask your Doc about it. I hope this helps.

Constipation
 

[QUOTE=beatle;1094981]Hi Joanne,

In addition to the stool softener, have you tried consuming prunes, prune juice or taking a magnesium (not the oxide kind) supplement? If not, they might help.

Hi Joanne,
Have you tried Miralax? Taking prunes and prune juice can help, but then its something you have to drink or eat everyday. I use Miralax, its great for constipation! And it does not cause bloating or gas. You use one cap ful in any kind of liquid, hot or cold every morning. See how that works. If you need more you can take a second cap ful later in the day. My Gastro gave me Miralax 10 yrs ago for IBS-C. But I need it more now because of lyrica and tramadol. Doc says there are no long-term affects and I will probably use it for the rest of my life. My Gastro Doc is OK with that. Don't use stool softeners or other "laxatives" is you dont have too. That are habit-forming.
I get a script from my Doc for Miralax (Generic-Polyethylene Glycol) and pay a small co-pay when I get it as a prescription. Its much cheaper getting this way then buying it over the counter. Ask your Doc about it. I hope this helps.

Yes, every morning—100 mg. I test negative for diabetes, but my PN responds as if I were. Lately I've read that it's good to take whether it works or not.

r lipoic acid benefits

pantothenic acid neuropathy

If it can't hurt to try it, then it can't hurt to try it.

Doc

[QUOTE=Dr. Smith;1095713]Yes, every morning—100 mg. I test negative for diabetes, but my PN responds as if I were. Lately I've read that it's good to take whether it works or not.

r lipoic acid benefits

pantothenic acid neuropathy

If it can't hurt to try it, then it can't hurt to try it.

You take only the 100 mgs of RLA? , what do you mean your "PN responds as if I were" Do you mean you have NP like a Diabetic would? So your NP is Idiopathic too? What is B5, what does that help you with?

Just wanted to say if you take tramadol and are suffering constipation try taking a probiotic. I seem to have gotten over that problem ever since I started it.

Yes, 100 mg. is the standard dose of RLA; equivalent to 600 mg. of ALA. Yes, my PN is diagnosed as idiopathic, however if I eat sugar, sugar alcohols, or white starches, my symptoms are exacerbated.

See previous post(s).

Doc