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I have fibro and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I was constantly nauseated and was told it was my pain meds. Finally, I had lost enough weight that my doctor ordered a gastric emptying scan. I have gastroparesis, causing constant nausea from the delayed emptying. I take a magnesium pill with each meal and it has been a god send. It works on the nerves and moves things along.... If this helps one person not suffer like i did, it was worth it!!
Thank you! I see too many people who assume that no matter *what* the side effect is, it's caused by the pain medication. (And even when it is, it's so often treatable!)
I have had success using time-release vitamin c. In this formulation it doesn't overwhelm my system with acidity, but it's enough of a stimulus to get things going -- without getting dependent on laxatives. I also take a spoonful or two of olive oil every day.
Sometimes aspirin will help the itching -- it seems worth trying to avoid the anticholinergic effect of the antihistamines! Some folks get dry mouth with pain medication, antihistamines make that much worse.
Many side effects from the opioid class of medications is due to a histamine release. However, some opioids are known to cause less histamine than others. Two such medications are hydromorphone (Dilaudid) and fentanyl (Duragesic Patch). In fact, the fentanyl patch is considered less constipating than other pain medications for some people.
When dealing with medications side effects, it is also important to remember that the more you take the more likely you will develop side effects. Dose related complications are part of the fine balance between too little and too much.
Everyone is different, so check with your doctor if you are experiencing any medication side effects before troubleshooting on your own.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
It sounds strange but after being on opiodes for the last 2 years I started using Dilaudid injections and brought my bowel movements to a hault and I aso was throwing up constantly, I have tried all the common helpers and then I had a friend ask me if I had ever tried Castor Oil, I played with the dosage and now I drink about 2 ounces every 2-d3 days and within 3-4 hours I go very well, I made the mistake of trying 4 ounces first and it cleaned me out very fast, try just 1 -2 tablespoons to start and work your way up, I now can take he taste but when I started I mixed the Castor with Koolaid and was ok
It sounds strange but after being on opiodes for the last 2 years I started using Dilaudid injections and brought my bowel movements to a hault and I aso was throwing up constantly, I have tried all the common helpers and then I had a friend ask me if I had ever tried Castor Oil, I played with the dosage and now I drink about 2 ounces every 2-d3 days and within 3-4 hours I go very well, I made the mistake of trying 4 ounces first and it cleaned me out very fast, try just 1 -2 tablespoons to start and work your way up, I now can take he taste but when I started I mixed the Castor with Koolaid and was ok
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I am a bit surprised at your telling patients to use Benadryl. My pain specialist Prof. Peter Ravenscroft recently informed me that anti histamines do not work on the itch/rash from opiates and are a waste of time taking them. I am concerned as this anti histamine causes drowsiness so I would think dangerous to take on top of an opiate when they also can cause drowsiness. Maybe that is how an accidental overdose and death can occur? Helen 39
Ya,I guess If you took a whole bottle of Benadryl.Come on one benadryl,I think you will be fine.I took it at first, before my body got adjusted to the opiates.Then the rash and itch goes away. It was about a week.I put up with the little itch and the constipation, Because the pain was ruining my life.The opiate gave me my life back.
The anti-histamine medications are very useful to treat the side effects of itch/rash/nausea/headache which are all caused by the histamine release of opioid medications. Caution is advisable especially in the elderly when taking an anti-histamine, but in my experience one anti-histamine used as needed for side-effects causes very little problems and actually does work.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I have taken 3 different types of non drowsy anti histamines and none have got rid of the itch or sweats. If you have an allergic reaction to oxycontin I can't see how only one benadryl tablet would work.
Helen 39