I was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer 2 years ago. I have had 3 lots of radiotherapy for pain relief but no treatment as yet because the tumours, one at the very top of the lung, one in the lining at the top and another in the bottom of my lung, are small and growing very slowly. Surgery is not an option they are all in such awkward places. One of the tumours was pressing on the 9th and 10th rib and causing lots of pain. It has since grown and cracked my rib. My consultant asked my GP to give me codeine for the pain. I was prescribed Longtec which are slow release and Oxynorm for breakthrough pain. Trouble is it makes me so constipated and I end up taking laxatives which don’t work and I’m in even more pain with dreadful wind and literally being sick. I get to a point where I have to stop taking the tablets just so I can go to the loo! Was wondering if anyone else has this problem? I’m tempted to bin the lot of tablets and put up with the pain!!
Hi CandyB, I can't take codeine for this reason. Please talk to your GP as there may be an alternative, or he might be able to prescribe a stronger laxative. Please do not put up with the pain, it might be as simple as swapping tablets.
