Well, I can but it feels like something’s still up in there and I have a colonoscopy coming up on 4.21. Because I am passing stools, I haven’t given it much thought, but now I’m afraid there may be an impaction up in there.
I have the prep stuff I’m supposed to drink over two days and the GI lab guy at the VA says not to worry: the 4 Dulcolax will move the stool.
To help things along, I’ve been hydrating and drinking warm broth and warm other soups I also use a stool softener a day…
When I first entered the medical field, I was what one called an “Orderly” (I got into cardiopulmonary care when that field opened up). Then I was a respiratory therapist.
But as an orderly, guess what part of my job was? Rrrright: breaking up impactions. You really have to love your job to do those.
I’m worried that this Colo-Prep stuff might not work and they won’t get a clear picture.
THEN what???
I have googled and read and googled and read some more and then I found out it could be a cancerous pancreas, and that scared me a little. My wife had a stroke a year ago, and I watch her like a hawk with neuro-checks helping her with her meds and B/P and the whole gamut. I can’t take the time out to die. We’re all each other has.
Any suggestions? Please don’t recommend a Shop-Vac (although I have given that some thought). By the way, I’m 67 now, demented somewhat. Having trouble with that four hour test.
IANAD, but I would expect the doctor to be familiar with your situation and have a way to deal with it should that be an issue. If you are in pain you should be talking to your doctor about it already. The prep stuff does an amazing job. I wouldn’t be too worried about it unless you are in a lot of pain and I would think calling the doctor and letting him know in advance would be a good idea.
I’m taking Lactulose as part of my liver disease therapy (and helps rid the body of ammonia), but in it’s secret life it’s an incredibly effective laxative. Nucular, even.
Ask your doc for a few gulps of that, grab a four pack of TP, a stack of magazines and we’ll catch up with you tomorrow.
Ivylad gets constipated due to his meds, to the point he’s on Movantik.
During his colonscopy prep he called me because 1) It hadn’t worked and 2) His belly hurt like mad. I told him to call the doc and they said don’t wait, take the next dose now.
I would say if you CAN go, you should be okay. Good luck.
Which OTC laxative? They’re not all the same. I find that magnesium moves things right along… I would agree with the others though. If you’re able to go now, even if you feel like it’s not complete, the prep will likely clear you out.
Drink a little bottle of magnesium citrate and see if that doesn’t loosen things up in a hurry. It certainly does for me. If you’re passing poop, I really doubt you have an impaction. They usually plug things up. Maybe you just have a reluctant turd, happy to camp out and wave the other turds by.
Hey, I was an orderly, too! Then I was a respiratory therapist, just like you!
Try eating any of the food that usually gives you the …'s. I had this countless of times and I would just make super strong coffee (grounds to water ration) and eat spinach, Got rid of the troublemaker within 2-3 hours. EVERY TIME. After it’s done, eat some yogurt to get all regular again.
People with impactions frequently pass liquid stool as it slips past the blockage. If you are passing normally formed stools (Type 4) you probably do not have an impaction.
I would give Miralax a try, or try increasing the amount of fiber in your diet.
Hey Quasi! How’s it goin’? Well it sounds like you aren’t goin’ quite right
I don’t have a solution to your problem but it sounds like you’re already taking the right steps. Good luck, hope everything comes out ok (nyuk, nyuk, nyuk )
Oh, my god. I just placed that word. Lactulose. I once cared for a Maine Coon with terrible megacolon, and our vet used this for the really bad episodes.
If you’re a human and taking this, my best advice is to already be sitting down (on the commode) before you take a swig. :eek: There’s no margin for error or delay.
The OTC laxative is called Sennosides 25 mg. — They don’t work and
Right now I am drinking a bottle of Magnesium Citrate (as we speak)
Remember guys, when this thing passes, I think it’s gonna be hard as a rock… and I might even save it, put it into a sock and use it as a defensive weapon.
Can you imagine what a police officer might ask the perp? “What’d he hit you with?”
"Some sht" … Also if I knock out some of those front teeth, he’ll have that "sht-eating grin* we’ve all heard so much about.
Never, ever, ever google your medical symptoms. You’ll wind up believing you have the most horrible, deadly diseases imaginable. :eek:
I agree with Cub Mistress that you probably don’t have an impaction. Can’t really speculate on what else it might be, could be something, could be nothing. Your doctor seems to think it’s not that urgent since he’s making you wait two weeks for a colonoscopy, so that right there is a good sign. Let’s hope it’s nothing.
As for the immediate issue (pooping) the only advice I can offer is Metamucil works wonders for me. Also, in my experience, the meds I sometimes take that can get me constipated don’t actually cause constipation as much as they take away the urge to poop – so make sure and try to poop every day, even if you don’t feel like pooping.
Just used some vegetable oil on my gloved fingers and rubbed that stuff up in there real good. If nothing else, I guess I could grow my own taters. Olives. or…COCONUTS.
