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Suggest Treatment For Constipation

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Posted on Fri, 8 Jul 2016
Question: My son has not had a bowel movement in a week. Took him to the emergency room early this morning, didn't find anything. Told him to drink a bottle of magnesium citrate. He did that 9.5 hours ago and was told it should take about 6 hours to work. Called the emergency room after 7 hours and was told it could take longer than the 6 hours. Over the past 5 days he has had other symptoms. His testicles and then his scrotum were swollen. He developed red spots on his legs and arms - they don't hurt or itch. His joints have been very sore. His knees, especially. I have to help him walk. He was in good shape with no health problems. Not sure if I should bring back to the hospital or give the citrate more time.

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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Gastrologist should see him.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

You can wait up to a 24 hours. If the constipation lasts long, this medicines can give an effect after 24 hours.
The question is if he passes gasses freely? If yes, this is just a constipation. If not, he may have bowels obstruction. Adding the other symptoms, inflammatory bowels disease can be the case. That is why, you should take him to gastrologist for sure. Even if eventually he will pass the stool. Colonoscopy seems advisable.

Hope his helps. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5798 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Constipation

Brief Answer: Gastrologist should see him. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. You can wait up to a 24 hours. If the constipation lasts long, this medicines can give an effect after 24 hours. The question is if he passes gasses freely? If yes, this is just a constipation. If not, he may have bowels obstruction. Adding the other symptoms, inflammatory bowels disease can be the case. That is why, you should take him to gastrologist for sure. Even if eventually he will pass the stool. Colonoscopy seems advisable. Hope his helps. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.