Suggest Treatment For Constipation

Brief Answer:
Information for treating constipation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXX,

You got a different doctor this time. Hello, I'm Dr. Bonnie, a family physician.

Pain after an injury, or from any cause, especially back pain, can increase the chance of constipation.

At this point, both a stool softener and a bowel stimulant would be helpful. The stool softener will help you go without causing increased muscle tension or spasm. The stimulant will help get your body to go.

I recommend docusate (brand names Colace or Surfak) which are emollient laxatives.

For a stimulant, bisacodyl (Dulcolax) is a good option.

Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) or magnesium citrate (stronger but tastes awful!) can work as both softeners and stimulants. Magnesium citrate is sometimes used as a bowel cleansing prep prior to bowel procedures such as colonoscopy.

If you would like to try a more natural route, there is good old fashioned prune juice. Prune juice can have both functions (softener and stimulant). You can buy it ready made, or stew a few prunes in a little water. It works most easily if you drink it warm, in the evening or at bedtime, to help cause a BM the next morning.

If none of this works, after 5-7 days I start to recommend enemas. But I think you still have a little time before you have to get into that.

Until you are able to start going, avoid eating a lot of foods that can be gas forming as you don't want it to sit inside of you and break down into gas or ferment. That would increase your discomfort. Do, however, drink a lot of water. Also, if it is not too painful to do after your injury, physical activity can help decrease constipation too.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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Brief Answer:
Information for treating constipation.

Detailed Answer:
What they most likely gave you for a colonoscopy was either polyethylene glycol (NuLytely, Golytely) or magnesium citrate. Both are used as a regular laxative only in a fraction of the dose used for colonoscopy prep. But still, you might want to steer clear of products containing those 2 things given your experience. The other laxatives I mentioned, including magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia) should be gentler in the dosages recommended on their packaging labels.

I'm sorry that this company advertises that a patient will get an immediate response. That isn't the case - it depends on how many physicians are seeing the questions who are comfortable/experienced at addressing the question. It can take up to 24 hours for some questions to get answered. The company is not in the U.S. and perhaps in their country, making claims that a patient will get an immediate response is acceptable. I apologize for that.

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