methadone and constipation
 

I have been working up to taking the methadone 10mg twice a day over the last 10 days, supposed to work up to 3 times a day.

The constipation is horrid. I am drinking water constantly. I have upped the amount of fresh fruit and veggies I am eating, especially the "P" ones, prunes, plums, pears, peaches. Lots of leafy greens.

Taking 4 stool softeners a day, 2 senna a day, 2 magnesium supplements and still needing milk of magnesia and then it practically takes TNT to have success.

The methadone so far is only helping - maybe - 15% on the pain. I am really sad, because I have had RSD for almost 10 years now. I always thought I would have the heavy drugs to fall back on when things got bad. Now the RSD is in 80% of my body, and I am no longer working, so giving the heavy stuff a try, and it is not giving me much relief at all. It is very discouraging.

I have a lifelong history of diarrhea. So, I have little experience with constipation. The Pain Doc gave me a sheet to go by to keep adding stuff for the constipation...but, with so little pain relief, I don't think it is worth it.

For those taking methadone, how long does it take to build up and give relief? At this rate, I don't think I can tolerate going to 3 times a day when 2 times a day causes me this much problem.

I've been taking methadone for about 20 years, and constipation was never a problem, until I got more sedentary.
You'll do better if you walk!! (You'll do better in every way, you'll feel better too).

But, I found that Miralax (over the counter now) is a lifesaver for the constipation. I get by on half a dose per day. It's a very gentle powder that you can mix with anything. Completely tasteless.
I take 50/60 mg of methadone/day. (It's been so long, I don't remember how long it took to build up, but just a few days... I think.)

I also keep on hand these 'fleet enema things' they're very small, and give relief in about 5 minutes. (sometimes I just forget the miralax).

Maybe there's another med that you're taking that's helping to cause the problem, but you've got to walk around a couple blocks per day, exercise is very important to us with rsd!

Best of luck!

pete

Thanks, Ain't. I will see if I can find the miralax. I don't recall seeing it on the shelf with the other products for this ... uh... "issue"...

Unless there is magically a large increase in pain relief that comes with a build up of the methadone in the system, I don't think it is worth all this problem.

Daylilyfan, When i was on methadone that was one problem i didnt have but when i was on kadian, or oxycontin i had the same problem. Dr gave me a prescription for amitiza(for chronic constipation) once a day. Sorry to hear about the methadone not working as well as you hoped. I am the same way- when i was in a major flare i was taking methadone and once it calmed down some I was switched back to oxycontin. I told the Dr. the same- that i wanted to save the best for when it was out of control (i have fears of coming a time when nothing will help) momof4

daylilyfan,

I use Miralax, or rather I use WalMarts brand of it. It is the same thing & almost half the price. I put it in my coffee in the morning since it has no taste.

DebbyV

I don't eat a lot of veigge's I am a meat and potato person so my wife mixes flax seed into most of my cooked foods. I have found that it does not change the taste of the cooked foods. This has help me when dealing with constipation and best of all no side effects.

I have not been able to tolerate any laxatives for some time now.

I gave up and quit taking the methadone.

I was in more pain from sitting in the bathroom trying to go that what good it was doing me.

I don't think it was helping me more than if I were to take Aleve all the time... which they don't want me to do.

Hi Daylily,
 

I am on the Amitiza. It is strictly for constipation. It's been out a few years so there is no generic brand of it. Since there isn't, you may be able to get it through the pharmaceutical company.

There is a Federal law that if your insurance won't pay for a med, and if it doesn't come in generic form then the company that makes it must furnish it.

I just got a 3 month supply through my Drs. office and the paperwork to send in for the next 3 months. It's just one sheet to fill out and send in along with a prescription from your Dr.

I took Methadone for years and still keep it on hand for my RSD. It was the only thing I found that worked for the pain. My dosage was low.

Ask your Dr. about the Amitiza.

Good luck,
Ada