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What Causes Abdominal Cramping While Treating Breast Cancer In An Elderly Person?
Question: My 62 year old friend at 4 today started drinking the stuff for her colonoscopy tomorrow.! It's now 6:45. She has had a regular bowl movement but that's it and has lots of cramping. She had breast cancer last year but has been clear for almost a year. She is a petite woman. Should we be concerned? Go to the emergency room or wait a little?
Brief Answer:
likely preceding clearing of the colon
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned because of the cramping but this is preceding the clearing of the colon.
The use of peppermint or ginger tea may help in some persons.
Though she only had a regular bowel movement so far, the cramping indicates that the bowel movements will increase in frequency.
She will likely feel the urge to go the bathroom soon and can consider waiting a little longer unless the discomfort is unbearable.
Because she would have been using clear liquids only the day before the amount of feces may not be a lot but whatever is present needs to be cleared.
Normally ,as she has done, the laxative is started around 4 pm and taken over a few hours, another set is taken the following day for most persons.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
likely preceding clearing of the colon
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
It is understandable to be concerned because of the cramping but this is preceding the clearing of the colon.
The use of peppermint or ginger tea may help in some persons.
Though she only had a regular bowel movement so far, the cramping indicates that the bowel movements will increase in frequency.
She will likely feel the urge to go the bathroom soon and can consider waiting a little longer unless the discomfort is unbearable.
Because she would have been using clear liquids only the day before the amount of feces may not be a lot but whatever is present needs to be cleared.
Normally ,as she has done, the laxative is started around 4 pm and taken over a few hours, another set is taken the following day for most persons.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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