For The Second Time (first Time This Past December, I
After starting the IV’s a catheter was inserted to relieve the blocked urine and I was given an enema to relieve the constipation. (This is the second time since December to be admitted to Emergency Room for urine retention and constipation.) (In November I had a colonoscopy which discovered one polyp which was removed during the procedure and I was referred to a surgeon to remove two elongated polyps by removing a portion of my large intestine and reconnecting my colon during the procedure.. This surgery January 30th. All polyps were biopsied and the results were negative for all. Prior to this January 30th colon surgery I had a TURP procedure (January 7th) to reduce the size of my enlarged prostate as well as a circumcision procedure. Biopsies from this surgery were negative. I also had a kevolex procedure and ascilloscope procedure on April 3rd to adjust the size of my ureter or urethra (not sure which) to eliminate the spraying effect when urinating which resulted from the previous TURP procedure in early January.
During my hospital stay this weekend, a scan of my abdomen was performed to make sure there were no septic problems from my surgeries. Upon discharge from the hospital I was given a prescription for 500 mg. of levaquin one per day for 6 days and an advanced probiotic of 625mg, one per day continuously and to take one capsule of Linzess of 145 mcg. 30 minutes before first meal of the day. I am a 72 year old male, type II diabetic and my current medications are benicar hc?, propanalol, Mobic, Uroxatral, Gaberpentin, Tizanidine, Xanax, Tylenol as needed, Astelin and Flonase. I was instructed to discontinue the Tizanadine and the Uroxatral while taking the six day antibiotic in writing by the discharge nurse but no reason was given for WHY.. My questions are these:
1). Why should I stop taking Tizanidine and Uraxatral??
2). Do the prescriptions for Levaquin and the probiotic make sense since they were unable to find the source of the infection? If yes, are there any instructions I should follow as to when in the day I should take the Levaquin and the probiotic and any guidelines regarding taking each of those with my other medications??
3). I constantly deal with constipation problems. Are any of my current medications contributing to my constipation problems and if YES, are there any substitutes that would be just as effective in treatment but less likely to cause constipation? If yes, what are they?
4). I’ve seen a little blood in my urine since the catheter was removed yesterday and I presume this to be due to the catheter insertion/removal process and the fact that I had the kevolex procedure on April 3rd. Is my presumption likely? Should I follow all of this up with my urologist who did the kevolex procedure?
5) Upon discharge from the hospital, I was also instructed to review all of the above with my primary care doctor at the end of seven days. Is this a good idea to wait a week? If yes, what blood chemistry tests and/or any additional tests should my primary care physician order??
6). Once home and had a bowel movement this morning (very liquid after taking the linzess), I had a “sense” there was some remaining compacted stool near my rectum. IF that’s indeed the case will the daily dose of Linzess shrink the size of the stool so that it can be passed?? If no, what should I do? Laxative? Or what?
7). Any additional recommendations or suggestions?
Thank you in advance.
After starting the IV’s a catheter was inserted to relieve the blocked urine and I was given an enema to relieve the constipation. (This is the second time since December to be admitted to Emergency Room for urine retention and constipation.) (In November I had a colonoscopy which discovered one polyp which was removed during the procedure and I was referred to a surgeon to remove two elongated polyps by removing a portion of my large intestine and reconnecting my colon during the procedure.. This surgery January 30th. All polyps were biopsied and the results were negative for all. Prior to this January 30th colon surgery I had a TURP procedure (January 7th) to reduce the size of my enlarged prostate as well as a circumcision procedure. Biopsies from this surgery were negative. I also had a kevolex procedure and ascilloscope procedure on April 3rd to adjust the size of my ureter or urethra (not sure which) to eliminate the spraying effect when urinating which resulted from the previous TURP procedure in early January.
During my hospital stay this weekend, a scan of my abdomen was performed to make sure there were no septic problems from my surgeries. Upon discharge from the hospital I was given a prescription for 500 mg. of levaquin one per day for 6 days and an advanced probiotic of 625mg, one per day continuously and to take one capsule of Linzess of 145 mcg. 30 minutes before first meal of the day. I am a 72 year old male, type II diabetic and my current medications are benicar hc?, propanalol, Mobic, Uroxatral, Gaberpentin, Tizanidine, Xanax, Tylenol as needed, Astelin and Flonase. I was instructed to discontinue the Tizanadine and the Uroxatral while taking the six day antibiotic in writing by the discharge nurse but no reason was given for WHY.. My questions are these:
1). Why should I stop taking Tizanidine and Uraxatral??
2). Do the prescriptions for Levaquin and the probiotic make sense since they were unable to find the source of the infection? If yes, are there any instructions I should follow as to when in the day I should take the Levaquin and the probiotic and any guidelines regarding taking each of those with my other medications??
3). I constantly deal with constipation problems. Are any of my current medications contributing to my constipation problems and if YES, are there any substitutes that would be just as effective in treatment but less likely to cause constipation? If yes, what are they?
4). I’ve seen a little blood in my urine since the catheter was removed yesterday and I presume this to be due to the catheter insertion/removal process and the fact that I had the kevolex procedure on April 3rd. Is my presumption likely? Should I follow all of this up with my urologist who did the kevolex procedure?
5) Upon discharge from the hospital, I was also instructed to review all of the above with my primary care doctor at the end of seven days. Is this a good idea to wait a week? If yes, what blood chemistry tests and/or any additional tests should my primary care physician order??
6). Once home and had a bowel movement this morning (very liquid after taking the linzess), I had a “sense” there was some remaining compacted stool near my rectum. IF that’s indeed the case will the daily dose of Linzess shrink the size of the stool so that it can be passed?? If no, what should I do? Laxative? Or what?
7). Any additional recommendations or suggestions?
Thank you in advance.
The queries are explained below in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I understand your concern.
Regarding your queries:
1) Tizanidine is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves spasms and cramping.
It is used only in thsearch symptoms. On the contrary, it is stopped when the symptoms relieve.
Uraxatral not is used in case of an enlarged prostate.
It is not used in patients who had undergone at a surgery for the enlarged prostate.
2) Levaquin is an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections, usually in the urinary tract.
So, the chances are that it will be effective.
You may use it after lunch with the probiotic.
3)Xanax may cause constipation as a side effect, I suggest you to use a fiber rich diet and use a stool softener.
4)Catheter manipulations can cause microtrauma in the urinary tract, so the bleeding is completely normal.
5) In my opinion the follow up with your physician after a week is necessary to see the recovery process. I recommend to do a complete blood count and a urine test for further evaluation.
6) Constipation is normal after an intervent.
I recommend to use laxative such as Miralax and also eat a fiber rich diet.
I also suggest to drink liquids.
7) I recommend regular check ups at your physician every six months.
I also recommend eating healthy and drinking liquids.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
The queries are explained below in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hello dear and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
I understand your concern.
Regarding your queries:
1) Tizanidine is used to help relax certain muscles in your body. It relieves spasms and cramping.
It is used only in thsearch symptoms. On the contrary, it is stopped when the symptoms relieve.
Uraxatral not is used in case of an enlarged prostate.
It is not used in patients who had undergone at a surgery for the enlarged prostate.
2) Levaquin is an antibiotic used to treat a number of bacterial infections, usually in the urinary tract.
So, the chances are that it will be effective.
You may use it after lunch with the probiotic.
3)Xanax may cause constipation as a side effect, I suggest you to use a fiber rich diet and use a stool softener.
4)Catheter manipulations can cause microtrauma in the urinary tract, so the bleeding is completely normal.
5) In my opinion the follow up with your physician after a week is necessary to see the recovery process. I recommend to do a complete blood count and a urine test for further evaluation.
6) Constipation is normal after an intervent.
I recommend to use laxative such as Miralax and also eat a fiber rich diet.
I also suggest to drink liquids.
7) I recommend regular check ups at your physician every six months.
I also recommend eating healthy and drinking liquids.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
1. I was under the impression Tizanidine was a muscle relaxer to PREVENT the back spasms I’ve had in the past and I should stop taking it WHILE taking the antibiotic. I was under the impression Uroxatral was to relax my prostate so that urination was easier.
Therefore my questions were, why should I stop taking them when taking the Levaquin antibiotic. Are my impressions incorrect?
2. So it’s okay to take Levaquin and the advanced probiotic together but after a meal?
3. So a fiber rich diet and a stool softener will curb anxiety and help me sleep? I should also take a stool softener when I’ve been prescribed Linzess daily?
4. So no need to follow up with my urologist?
5. No follow up question.
6. Intervention a synonym for enema? The first part of my question was, would the daily does of Linzess reduce the size of the remaining compacted stool so that it would pass? Would you answer that please? Secondly, are you recommending a laxative IN ADDITION to the Linzess?
7. I will do that, no follow up question.
1. I was under the impression Tizanidine was a muscle relaxer to PREVENT the back spasms I’ve had in the past and I should stop taking it WHILE taking the antibiotic. I was under the impression Uroxatral was to relax my prostate so that urination was easier.
Therefore my questions were, why should I stop taking them when taking the Levaquin antibiotic. Are my impressions incorrect?
2. So it’s okay to take Levaquin and the advanced probiotic together but after a meal?
3. So a fiber rich diet and a stool softener will curb anxiety and help me sleep? I should also take a stool softener when I’ve been prescribed Linzess daily?
4. So no need to follow up with my urologist?
5. No follow up question.
6. Intervention a synonym for enema? The first part of my question was, would the daily does of Linzess reduce the size of the remaining compacted stool so that it would pass? Would you answer that please? Secondly, are you recommending a laxative IN ADDITION to the Linzess?
7. I will do that, no follow up question.
Follow up queries are explained below in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
1) Actually, there are some interactions between Levaquin and Tizanidine.
When they are used together, this may increase your risk of an irregular heartbeat.
So, your impression may be correct.
2) You may use Levaquin and the probiotic together after the meal.
3) Linzess is a medication with laxative properties, so there is no need for other laxative.
6) I recommend taking 145 mcg Linzess per day before the first meal.
If the compacted stool is not treated this way you may add a laxative.
4) I recommend to follow up with your urologist after a week.
I also suggest regular follow ups every six months.
Hope my answer was helpful.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Follow up queries are explained below in detail.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
1) Actually, there are some interactions between Levaquin and Tizanidine.
When they are used together, this may increase your risk of an irregular heartbeat.
So, your impression may be correct.
2) You may use Levaquin and the probiotic together after the meal.
3) Linzess is a medication with laxative properties, so there is no need for other laxative.
6) I recommend taking 145 mcg Linzess per day before the first meal.
If the compacted stool is not treated this way you may add a laxative.
4) I recommend to follow up with your urologist after a week.
I also suggest regular follow ups every six months.
Hope my answer was helpful.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Uroxatral and Levaquin have interactions when are used together.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
There are some side effects related to the use of Uroxatral and Levaquin.
When these medications are used together can cause cardiac issues.
So, I suggest to avoid taking these medications together.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi
Uroxatral and Levaquin have interactions when are used together.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
There are some side effects related to the use of Uroxatral and Levaquin.
When these medications are used together can cause cardiac issues.
So, I suggest to avoid taking these medications together.
Take care dear,
Dr.Dorina Gurabardhi