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What Is The Remedy For Constipation And Back Pain Due To Opiate Withdrawal?
Question: I have been treating migraines for opiates for 10 years. I have not had any for the past 2 weeks. At first the withdrawal symptoms involved diarrhea which was just watery and had some sort of black sediment in it. Now I am experiencing extreme back pain with constipation and what stools do come after much discomfort it's black, tarry with what seems to be puss. Should I go to the dr or is there someway I can treat this at home.
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Withdrawal of opiates after a long term treatment is usually associated with diarrhoea. Now having black tarry stools with severe constipation means there is some kind of hemorrhage going on in your gut may be bleeding ulcers or you are taking high doses of iron supplements.
If you are not on any iron supplements then the cause of this bleeding definitely needs to be investigated and you must contact your GP. Decrease the pain killers if you are taking any as they will precipitate the damage.
For constipation you can try some simple remedies in addition to taking a high fibre diet like-
1. Drink a glass of water before going to toilet. This will help in the increasing the bowel movements as well as compensate for the water loss from body decreasing the dizzyness.
2.Take probiotics- lactobacillus acidophillus spores.
3. Do acupressure-The point is at the highest spot of the muscle between the thumb and index finger when they are brought close together. With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.
4.Take magnesium supplements or magnesium XXXXXXX foods like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables.
5. Engage in regular physical activity. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to constipation.
6.Don't put off the urge. The longer you delay when the urge to have a bowel movement strikes, the more water gets absorbed from stool and the harder it becomes to have a bowel movement.
For back pain hot fomentation will help and apply a local analgesic gel.
I hope you have found my answer and recommendations to be both adequate and helpful. Should you have additional questions I am available to address them.
Regards.
Thanks for writing to us.
Withdrawal of opiates after a long term treatment is usually associated with diarrhoea. Now having black tarry stools with severe constipation means there is some kind of hemorrhage going on in your gut may be bleeding ulcers or you are taking high doses of iron supplements.
If you are not on any iron supplements then the cause of this bleeding definitely needs to be investigated and you must contact your GP. Decrease the pain killers if you are taking any as they will precipitate the damage.
For constipation you can try some simple remedies in addition to taking a high fibre diet like-
1. Drink a glass of water before going to toilet. This will help in the increasing the bowel movements as well as compensate for the water loss from body decreasing the dizzyness.
2.Take probiotics- lactobacillus acidophillus spores.
3. Do acupressure-The point is at the highest spot of the muscle between the thumb and index finger when they are brought close together. With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.
4.Take magnesium supplements or magnesium XXXXXXX foods like XXXXXXX leafy vegetables.
5. Engage in regular physical activity. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to constipation.
6.Don't put off the urge. The longer you delay when the urge to have a bowel movement strikes, the more water gets absorbed from stool and the harder it becomes to have a bowel movement.
For back pain hot fomentation will help and apply a local analgesic gel.
I hope you have found my answer and recommendations to be both adequate and helpful. Should you have additional questions I am available to address them.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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