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Failed prep for colonoscopy: What can I do?
Digestive Health | Last Active: May 16, 2024 | Replies (165)Comment receiving replies
Colonoscopy prep did not work completely; 5 days later still no bowel movement. So doctor recommended mag citrate (whole bottle) and 4 dulcolax laxatives which I did and it totally cleaned me out. Felt great, but now 4 days later again no bowel movement. Painful, gas that won't expel, no feeling of having to go, just blocked and very uncomfortable. Tried Milk of Magnesia for 3 days - nothing. Can anyone recommend something that would just give me a natural bowel movement without too much at once which then causes me to backup more. I drink water, take 400 mg mag oxide. Tired 1/2 dose of Miralax before and it was uncontrollable bowel movements (going without even knowing I was going). Obviously very sensitive. Diagnosed with SIBO about 2 years ago but went off of protocol because of eating disorder ramping up from restrictio of diet. Very frustrated. My diet is healthy - berries, whole grains, greek plain yogurt, salmon, brown rice, peanut butter, broccoli, spinach, eggs. Nothing in large amounts, just feel like it is a healthy balance diet.
Replies to "Colonoscopy prep did not work completely; 5 days later still no bowel movement. So doctor recommended..."
Thank you for the video recommendation. I will add this to my daily routine, anything to get things moving along! I do massage my stomach which helps with gas usually, will add these moves and pray for success. Thank you!
@ltk Hi. It concerns me that you're having all this trouble with constipation, almost blockage. Is your doctor a gastroenterologist?
If not, please hasten to be referred to one. A specialist should never allow you to go through all you're going through without proper monitoring. Taking so many types of laxative is bordering on dangerous for you, in my opinion. Please keep in constant touch with your doctor until your problem is looked after.
Thinking of you. Hugs. Laurie
@ltk Just to add a further comment, @ltk, I suffered similar symptoms as you until I was referred to a G.I. in November. Because I was "a risk" for colonoscopy, the doctor worked with me from November to the present, trying different protocols using various titres of Metamucil and Lax-a-Day. I kept a daily Bristol Stool Chart (Gastrointestinal Assessment Tool) which was faxed to him monthly, after which he would phone me to discuss the next plan. Because of Covid restrictions I only had three office visits, two of which involved rectal exams. We are still on a monthly monitoring phone appointment, and my issues are slowly but surely improving! I hope you'll ask for further help and proper monitoring. You deserve it!
Laur
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Hi @ltk and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. On Connect we’re not medical professionals and can’t diagnose health problems. However, we can share our own personal experiences and valuable insights to answer questions and offer encouragement.
Oh I feel your pain... Having gone through lots of medical procedures and meds in the past 2 years, let’s say the ‘works got out of rhythm’ a few times. Always been as regular as a clockwork, so not having any movement at all was frustrating!
Having to depend on laxatives is literally not the way to go! LOL.
Your diet sounds great but sometimes our bowels need a bit of encouragement after a major disruption to get back in motion and ‘everything connected’...
Miralax was the last thing I needed. Fiber from food was the key. Have you tried adding ground flax to your yogurt or oatmeal daily? And drink plenty of water throughout the day. I also found when those two things didn’t work, I did take Metamucil daily. That was much more predictable and effective than miralax with no embarrassing surprises and you don’t get dependent on it once things get back into rhythm.
The BEST advice came from one of my awesome chemo nurses who showed me a trick for stimulating the natural movement of the intestines. I’m posting a YouTube link here so that you can see the basic exercises. But then!! At the end of the video is the key to getting the peristaltic movement of intestines back in sync again! Have you tried any of these methods?
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&ei=UTF-8&p=exercises+for+getting+bowels+to+move+around#id=2&vid=0aa3685daa8e0cdef907841407e92576&action=click
Here’s to moving right along... Lori. 😉