Constipation

[maggiebee]

Not the nicest of subjects, but since starting on quite a high dosage of Co-dydramol (30/500 mg) I have become increasingly constipated which is most uncomfortable. Is there anything I could take to remedy this without resorting to more medication. I do like rhubarb and prunes which I believe might help - any other suggestions?

[Postdog]

There is also stuff called micralax, or as I call them, bum bombs. Again, you squirt into anus, but it creates virtually instant diarrhoea.

[woofgang]

ipecac and syrup of squill are expectorants and emetics.

[Mamyalynne]

Steer clear (maybe not the best word to use) of glycerine suppositories - oh boy!

Mind you they do work.

[pastafreak]

Very high dose vitamin c is said to work. I use magnesium citrate...it's well known for its ability to help things along.

[Tilly2]

Anyone remember Beecham's Pills? They were effective.

[maggiebee]

Thank you all so much for your advice/suggestions. I have already drank a pint of water and eaten 4 satsumas. Good start I think - hopefully one (or more) of your suggestions will do the trick.

[Hopkirk]

Fybogel is brilliant.

https://www.boots.com/fybogel-hi-fibre-orange-30-sachets-10052725

[tamborine]

baked beans - orally ;)

[goodgoalie]

Having had to take two doses a fortnight ago, I can absolutely guarantee that Picolax will clear you out most thoroughly - probably more than you would care to be cleared out!

[marval]

I didn't like to mention Picolax. I remember OH having that before a hospital test, it is lethal.

[goodgoalie]

Actually, I reckon Picolax is only available through hospitals - I don't think you'd be allowed to purchase such high explosives over the counter

[webbo3]

I was prescribed some and given fybrogel at the same time.

[Scarlett]

Take Lactulose- you can buy it over the counter, a very sweet glug of that will help. I also have these sachets called Laxido which dissolve in water and taste of nothing. They are very gentle and you can have several a day- even children can. I find they really work, but they are not an instant laxative. They just seem to work slowly from the inside. I would take one or two of those over a couple of hours before you get constipated

[murraymints]

for me a strong black coffee or cider !

[Peter Pedant]

// Lactulose and dulcolax, if natural remedies don't help.//

terrible - I swear by this stuff PEG
https://www.medicinenet.com/polyethylene_glycol_peg_3350-oral/article.htm
your GP will prescribe it - as the deep thinkers here will confirm that it is not rocket science to be constipated on codeine

[Peter Pedant]

Picolax is deffo not suitable

I remember crouching over a drain on street after that stuff
and someone said - "wot ya doin'?"
and I said well what does it look like I'm doing ?

[goodgoalie]

Absolutely, Peter. As I sat there I was reminded of the reason I'd never go to somewhere like India: no matter how careful I was - brushing teeth with bottled water, no salads, no ice cubes etc etc - I'd end up sitting on some wretched toilet somewhere feeling my innards turn to liquid and detonate with vigour....

Details of my ghastly colonoscopy the next day are available on request

[maggiebee]

Hurrah - change of diet plus 6 days of Dulcolax and we are all systems go. Thank you for all your advice, much appreciated.

[Mamyalynne]

Glad to hear that.x