Suggest Treatment For Severe Consipation

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 16 Jan 2015 Answered on

Fri, 13 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 90 year old mother is severly constipated. I give her Miralax every day. She will pass a little hard stool but that is it.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need more information

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for posting your query.
I am Dr.R.K and I am pleased to assist you.

I need some more information before I can give my opinion.

1. Since when is she constipated?
2. Any other illness like diabetes or hypothyroidism?
3. Any tests like stool occult test or colonoscopy done?

Get back to me with these information.
Regards,
Dr.R.K.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (9 minutes later)

She has been like this for about a week and she has high blood pressure and reflux. Her last colonoscopy was about 1 1/2 years ago and she was fine. She has taken 2 rounds of a strong antibiotics for a UTI in the last few weeks.

Answered by Dr. Dr.P.Ratnakar Kini (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Let her continue taking Miralax

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Since it is of recent onset and the last colonoscopy didnt show anything abnormal, there is no need to worry.
Let her continue taking Miralax. Since the response is inadequate, you can increase the dose.
Also give her high fiber diet and ask her to drink lot of fluids.

Regards,
Dr.R.K.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju