Fibromyalgia and bowel obstructions

If you have fibromyalgia and are being treated with pain and antidepressant medications, you are at risk for developing a bowel obstruction. The side effects of most of the narcotic pain medications have the side effect of constipation. The antidepressants used for the treatment of fibromyalgia also have constipation as their side effect.

Constipation, over the years of having fibromyalgia can become more severe as time goes by. My experience is that chronic constipation can and most likely at one time in your life will lead to a bowel obstruction if your not careful on how you treat the constipation.

If you have fibromyalgia and constipation, a really good product to use is Miralax. Miralax is a non habit forming laxative that comes in a powder. The dose is very adjustable. I have adjusted my dose so that I can take a small amount every night and have normal bowel movement every day. The main side effect is diarrhea, which can be easily "fixed" with a dosage adjustment. You may have to space the doses out to every other day. Miralax doesn't cause that aweful cramping that you can get with other harsh laxatives. Other laxatives can also be habit forming, while miralax is not.

If you do have problems with constipation, you could easily develope a bowel obstruction. You need to be aware of your bowel routine and take steps to prevent an obstruction by treating the constipation and keeping things moveing through your colon. Prevention is the key.

Starting a calendar for your bowel habits will help you stear clear of a bowel obstruction. If you do end up with constipation that you can't "get moving" again, get in touch with your doctor, as you may have a small obstruction.