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Pain management of bowel

Mull
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Hello,

My husband is on palliative chemo for bowel/liver/peritoneum cancer.  He has been given oramorph to control his abdominal pain but is reluctant to take it as it causes constipation in him.  Is there any advice to manage the constipation? Also shpuld he be taking the ora,orph as prescribed rather than as he feels it is required?

Thank you in advance

  • Hello and thank you for posting, I am sorry you and your husband are going through this.

    Cancer pain is best treated with morphine, but other medications, like laxatives, are needed for the side effects. Here is our page on constipation with more information about the laxatives that can be used.

    Do talk to your husband's specialist nurse (CNS) or doctor, they may need to look at the morphine prescription and adjust things. The team must get your husband's quality of life better to help him continue the chemotherapy treatment. It may be that he would benefit from a referral to a palliative care or Macmillan team as they are symptom management experts, his doctor or nurse can refer.

    Take care and if you want to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9 am till 5 pm, Monday to Friday.

    Sarah.

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    I am taking laxatives alongside morphine and that is now helping manage the pain and getting my bowel movements going. It is still painful but is more bearable! 

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Sarah

    Thank you for your advice. We have consultants appointed next week.  He has now been put on a pain relief patch and.laxative.

  • Offline in reply to Jackh-a

    Thank you for your response. He is now on a patch for pain and a laxative. Hopefully this will help. Take care x

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