Going "cold turkey"

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Hi and good morning,

My husband finished radiotherapy treatment for HPV throat cancer on 6th Jan. A few days ago, he voiced concerns about constipation (hadn't said a word earlier!) and, after having a word with our local pharmacist and putting a post in the Head and Neck forum, he took some extra Laxido and then spent the next 36 hours back and forth to the loo. He had another dash first thing this morning and didn't quite make it, so I guess we're moving into 48hrs now.

He has chosen to come off everything except paracetamol and says he is prepared to go cold turkey as the possibility of this happening again is worse. He was on Cocodamol 500/30 three or four times a day and oxycodone 3-4mg twice a day.

My question is (more for him than me) how long is this diarrhoea and unsettled digestive system likely to last for if he stays on this course of what he is doing now? He is eating small easy on the mouth meals supplemented with Fortisips. The PEG is pretty much redundant.

Thank you.

Sarah M - Macmillan over 2 years ago

Hi Aotearoa,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to our Online Community, I hope you find it supportive.

We’re sorry to hear about your husband’s symptoms, no wonder he has decided to go cold turkey. However, if his pain starts to increase despite taking paracetamol it would be a good idea to speak with his GP for a pain review.

Co codamol and Oromph can both cause problems with the bowels, particularly constipation so it’s a good idea to take laxatives alongside this medication. It’s important for me to mention that Co codamol should not be taken with paracetamol as it already contains paracetamol.

The half-life of co-codamol 30mg/500mg is roughly 3 to 4 hours which means half of the dose has been eliminated from his body. Oromorph half-life is slightly less at roughly 2 hours. So both drugs should be out of your husband’s system within 8-12 hours. This can vary from person to person depending on their individual metabolism.

How long your husband’s bowel symptoms will last is difficult to say, as everyone’s digestive system is different. Depending on the level of constipation to impaction depends on the number of Laxido sachets advised to drink.

If your husband’s bowels don’t settle down over the next couple of days it would be a good idea to get back in touch with the pharmacist you previously spoke with.

Try and encourage your husband to drink plenty of fluids to prevent him from becoming dehydrated. The recommended amount given from the NHS is 6 to 8 cups or glasses a day.

I hope this information is helpful.

Best wishes and take care

Sarah (Cancer Information Nurse Specialist)

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

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Going "cold turkey"