Suggest Treatment For Constipation

Posted on Wed, 2 Jul 2014

Question: I have always had at least 1 BM daily. I recently had surgery, they gave me spinal anesthesia, nerve blocks in my right leg and propofol. I also have an interthecal pain pump with Marcaine and Baclofen in it for CRPS in my left leg and right hand (it migrated to my right hand 2 years ago) .
Since the surgery I have gone as long as a week then I used dulcolax tabs X3 for 3 days before I finally had a BM and it literally stopped up the toilet. I went another 5 days, and took the dulcolax again with the same results. I know this is not normal. I so I have been taking the dulcolax tabs X3 for the past 4 days. I have not gotten diarhea, not even loose stools. I am drinking plenty of liquids mostly water. Help!
how many dulclax tabs can I safely take, and do I need to take them on any schedule? is there anything I can take that my body will become reliant on to be able to have regular BM's and please don't say metamucil or one of those preparations because they don't work on me. I have tried them before.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Three at the XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:
You can take XXXXXXX of three dulcolax in a day. Usually this is to be taken at night before sleeping so you can have BM at morning. These are not supposed to be taken daily. These cause your bowel to depend on them.

Instead you can use natural remedies like 200 gm of Papaya, sweetened milk at bed time, brisk walking in the morning after a cup of tea/ coffee, 2 teaspoon isabgol husk with XXXXXXX worm water orally, or lactifiber.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rohit Gulati (21 hours later)

can't take brisk walk! had foot surgery and have non weight bearing cast on my right lower leg toes to knee. Am using crutches and it is not good for my left distal femur where the chondrosarcoma was and I absorbed the bone graft so that is a weak area and on the only leg I can stand on. so walking is out for at least 2 to 3 weeks when I get in a walking boot.

When I do have a BM I have to REALLY have to strain.

I have already tried the papaya and sweet warm milk sweetened with agave nectar, even used them with the 3 dulcolax and used all 3 together. Can't get isabgol husk or lactifiber here. we are in a rural area with no health food stores not even a walgreens or walmart.

don't they use 5 or 6 dulcolax for a prep for colonoscopy? along with golytely? and could I do the dulcolax 3 at night with the agave and milk, then 3 dulcolax with agave and warm milk in the morning one time? after I let what I have already taken get out of my system, like next week? because it is usually mid afternoon before I have a BM with 3 dulcolax anyway.

I think my bowels just got really slowed down almost stopped with all the anesthesia.
if you aren't going to answer my follow up question I am going to contest the billing for this. I paid for 2 follow-ups. You have 24 hours as per your rules on your website. I need an answer!

Thank you, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (3 days later)

Brief Answer:
Dulcolax three once a week

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

I am surprised that you have internet and no medical store in your area. Anyway,

1. try eating salads and drink plenty of water.
2. Tea or coffee once emplty stomach in the morning.

If you must take dulcolax, and you can do by having three once a week, there seems to be no problem with that.

Bowel doesn get slowed by anesthesia.
When its given for colonoscopy, its once in a while. So, for you also 3 dulcolax once a week shall be fine.

regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Rohit Gulati (42 hours later)

This is not a question!
Obviously you are not well informed about the internet. It is available in most areas. Even inrural areas wihout Walmart or HEALTH FOOD stores. It is available even by dial-up connection when you can't get it via DSL. You should not make statements that cut your patients down, and you should read the post fully. I told you I just needed to clean out! I've been off my feet for 2 months and have 2-3 weeks to go. You really need to work on your active listening skills!
I have been an RN for 35 years and would not put up with your behavior, and lack of people skills for 5 minutes.
Oh, have a great day. you need not respond to this post and I willl not pay for it since You did not answer my second question in a timely fashion and I am sure you will not ever answer this one.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Gulati (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Shall answer only during day

Detailed Answer:
Your reply reached me at night and I can answer only during daylight hours.

I think you mistook my answer. I was quoting only humor in my earlier statements. In this part of the world healthcare and services is considered more essential than internet. So thanks for letting me know what it is at your end.

Wish you good health.

All the best.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar