Mums on Codeine Stage 4 Bowel Cancer

I don't know if it's routinely given but an opiod of some sort may be necessary to control the pain and keep her comfortable.  As far as I know, all opiods tend to cause constipation so I'm not sure that can be avoided.

Thanks Susan

I'm sure your right. I just wondered if there was another option.?.Just worried that mum could get  a bowel blockage as this is a risk especially if she's constipated along with the cancer

Hi xena1 

Sorry to hear your mum is in pain and glad that it’s been attended to .

The stronger morphine drugs do the same to the bowel in my mum’s experience so they do have a juggling act to balance out the laxatives. 
My mum was on codeine based meds and we had to make sure she did not struggle with the toilet as she previously ruptured her varicies pressing . But with time and a bit experience she got there and was able to use dihydrocodeine along with a stool softener.

Definitely be vigilant and keep advocating for her as it needs to be addressed if she is blocking with it .

I wish you both well .

Court 

As court said, it makes sense to be vigilant. It's a very difficult thing to balance and I would be sure to express concerns about a blockage to her treatment team so they can help. 

I was given codiene and laxatives to manage constipation so I think it’s the norm. The World Health Organisation have an analgesia ladder and paracetamol would be the first go to med then medication such as codiene would be added if paracetamol isn’t working alone. If the codiene doesn’t work then an opiate such as oramorph should be introduced so it’s kind of good they introduced codiene now rather than missing a step on the ladder so to speak. They just need to ensure she doesn’t get completely constipated. 

 Darkmoor77 yes that's what happened. She's was taking paracetamol but she was still having pain so they've added codeine now too. They're also giving laxatives. Bowel movements are occasionally every 3 days at most so it's helping with the laxatives. She had some pain yesterday but overall much more comfortable

Thank you  

The big problem I find with strong pain killers is that the effects on constipation are very inconsistent. What works one week might not work the next. Mine was so bad once I had a night in a &e. My latest trick is that if it is bad ie after a few days I drink five or six laxido sachets in one go. That shifts it. Sorry to be so graphic. Good luck to you and your mum. Best wishes.