Hi Dawn,
Don't think enemas will help as I believe the constipation from pain meds is
a small intestine problem. I tried prunes and prune juice (yech!!!), but
eventually my body just became used to the meds and the problem went away by
itself.
GaryZ

And the doctor said what about this?

Yes, pain medications (opiate based) commonly cause constipation, but
that generally prevents things from moving through and out...right?

Lots of hugs and prayers...Hopefully you will get some answers soon..
Cindy

Thank you for caring enough about the people in this newsgroup to explain
your problem which you find out is lots of peoples problem.   It is serious
and I have a good friend that will be damaged for the rest of his life from
being seriously constipated and the taking of dope for a broken neck and
lower back in an accident.
  People will put off getting the right kind of help and pay the price.
Harv

Two things, Dawn. One - TELL YOUR DOCTOR. It could be the wrong medication
for you or your body may just need to get used to it. Your doctor is the
best person to decide that. Two - drink lots and lots of water. This will at
least give a solution to help dissolve hard stool so that it can pass more
easily. But I would take care of number One right away.

DeeTee

This is the hand out my pain doctor gives all his patients.  Like someone
mentioned, stool can leak around an impaction... HTH
LAXATIVE USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHRONIC OPIATES

Laxative Use in Conjunction with Chronic Opiates

One of the most consistent side effects of chronic opiate use is
constipation.  This constipation is different than what you have probably
had in the past.  The difference is that this constipation cannot be treated
by eating or taking extra fiber (like Metamucil®) or by taking a stool
softener (like Colace®).  The reason why this is so is that the medication
you are now taking paralyzes your bowels.  So while Colace® may soften your
stool quite well, it will not cause your bowels to empty.

Therefore, you must take what is known as an "active" laxative on a daily
basis to make sure that you have a bowel movement *every day*.  You may not
have been regular in the past, but *you must be regular now*.

The three active over-the-counter laxatives that Dr.  recommends are:

1. Milk of Magnesia®
Take 2 tablespoons of this every night before going to bed.  If you do not
have a bowel movement the following morning, then you are to take another 2
tablespoons that morning.  This is to be followed that evening by 2 more
tablespoons.

2. Dulcolax®
Take one capsule at night before going to bed.  If you do not have a bowel
movement the following morning, then you are to take another one that
morning.  This is to be followed by another capsule that night.

3. Sennakot® (or senna)  best option
Take 2 capsules at night before going to bed.  If you do not have a bowel
movement the following morning, then you are to take another two capsules
that morning.  This is to be followed by another two capsules that night.
If still no response, increase it to four capsules in the morning and four
in the evening.

There is also a fruit recipe for a "natural fruit laxative spread."  It is
as follows:

1 pound of prunes
1 pound of raisins
1 pound of figs
4 oz senna tea (get it at a health food store. it looks like a bunch of
leaves)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup lemon juice

1. Prepare the tea.use about 2-½ cups boiled water added to the tea and
*steep for 5 minutes*.
2. Strain the tea to remove tea leaves and add only 1 pint of tea to a large
pot, then add fruit.
3. Boil fruit and tea for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add sugar and lemon juice.  Allow to cool.
5. Use mixer, blender, or food processor to blend fruit mixture into a
smooth paste.
6. Place in plastic container and place in freezer.  (Paste will not freeze
but will keep forever in the freezer.)

Spoon out what you require each day (approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons).
Enjoy eating it straight off the spoon, or spread it on toast or add hot
water and make a drink.  If the fruit paste is not working for you, then you
need to increase the amount that you consume.  On the other hand, if it is
working too well, cut back on the amount that you take  even to the point of
taking it every other day, if necessary.

If you ever "get behind" on your bowel movements (common during the first
month of therapy as you get used to the medications and the active bowel
regimen), then you should not "wait it out" and hope for the best.  Drastic
measures are needed to clean your bowels out and to then "start over."  This
can be accomplished by using *magnesium citrate*.  This is sold over the
counter at any pharmacy, in the laxative section, in a green glass bottle.
This is a very powerful active laxative, aka "purgative," and should be
taken in the following manner.  Drink the entire bottle in one sitting.
Just pour it into a cup and drink it.  It may taste better if it is served
chilled.  It tastes like lemon-lime soda with a salty flavor.  Once you have
drank it, it will take anywhere from 1 hour to 12 hours to work.  As it
moves through your bowels, your abdomen will gurgle and you will feel and
hear a lot of movement.  This is normal and to be expected.  Please do
yourself (and your loved ones around you) a favor and do not go anywhere
away from a nearby toilet until after the purgative has emptied your bowels.
Once that is done, restart your previous, preferred laxative from the
choices I had listed above.  If you have had to do this twice, strongly
consider changing your laxative choice to a different one.

We joke about this all of the time, but it is no laughing matter to be
constipated with a condition known as Opioid Bowel Syndrome and needing to
be digitally disimpacted by a doctor or a nurse.  So please take this as
seriously as you do your pain relievers, unless you want to end up in the
Emergency Room in severe pain and a nurse approaching you with thick, rubber
gloves and lots of lubricant.