A Bowel Movement Question

[jamilea]

This is about my hubby. He just had a lumbar epidural to help back pain and it didn't end up working so they plan to inject more in his S1 instead of L's.

Well, they have him on Morphine extended release pills until they finish the whole process and something takes, then they will wean him off.


The problem we are having is he can not pass a bowel movement. It has been 8 days. 2 days ago, I gave him a few tablespoons of Milk of Magnesia. He passed very little the next day.

What can I do to help him pass? Should we just go buy an enema?

We know it's the Morphine that's doing it. He feels very sick to his stomach which naturally, anyone who can not pass would.

Thanks if you can give good advice.

 

[katiesue1506]

Miralax may be a more gentler solution... its tasteless and it is a bowel softener + mild laxative. Taking one or two doses of that should help a bit. I'd run it by a doc first to make sure a laxative won't be too much for him, as when some people can't pass, laxatives can cause building and sometimes intestinal perforations.

 

[jamilea]

What about the Milk of Magnesia?

Should we just buy an enema so he can get some quick relief? He is really hurting.

 

[katiesue1506]

I dunno, I mean when you have Crohn's they usually suggest to do as little as possible in the way of inflammatory-causing treatments. Enemas can cause quite a bit of inflammation in the rectum. If any of his disease is in or near that location I would advice against it. I have no experience with milk of magnesia, so I wouldn't know. I just know Miralax is a very gentle stool softener laxative and it will do the job gently. I would also suggest a warm bath to ease some of the pain.

Maybe someone else can give advice pertaining to the enemas and milk of magnesia.

 

[treehugger]

I'd say talk to a Doctor? or the Chemist? Just call them and explain what's happened. Even the hospital and talk to a nurse.

With my son's I know brown sugar in warm water worked for them, but they where only little people so really not sure

 

[jamilea]

He doesn't have Crohn's lol

I've been on this forum because I'm undiagnosed lol

 

[katiesue1506]

OHHHH! Well... hmm... Thats a horse of a different color. HA!

I would still say to go gentle because explosive is never fun.

 

[jamilea]

Yea you're probably right. I told him to take a dose of MOM for a few days and see what that does. If nothing happens, then we will try the enema.

Thanks Katie. I really appreciate it. I figured people on this forum would know more than any doc HA!

 

[DustyKat]

Silvermoon posted this information a couple of months ago. It explains what the different types of OTC laxatives available and how they work................

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=11993

Dusty.

 

[jamilea]

The MOM worked. Thanks everyone. My hubby feels better lol

I used it too. It's amazing how fast that stuff works.