Mom is constipated, poor thing, and is shaking a bit in pain. I gave her a Correctol last night and then one this morning. Would anything help her with the pain? She still hasn't had her bowel movement.
How can I get her to be regular? She has a hard time swallowing things. She takes her Correctol with pudding, not water. I give her fruits and vegetables (soft ones) during the day, but that doesn't seem to help.
I feel so bad for her...

By Conni on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 09:01 am:

Oh, I dont know. But I hope she feels better soon. I bet Dawn (our RN on the board) will have some helpful tips.

(((HUGS to you both)))

By Amecmom on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 09:22 am:

Hugs Heidi,

Benefiber is good. Prunes work but can be gassy. If her anal area is in pain you can use Nupercainal. It works very well. You might want to use it before she has a movement so it doesn't hurt. For gas pain, gasx (which is simethicone) is great. If you can get a doc to prescribe her some miralax, that's great stuff.
My son has swallowing issues and has no trouble swallowing the gasx. If she has trouble, you can give her generic simethicone drops.
Most important, get as much liquid into her as you can.

I've used all these things on my babies so they are certainly gentle. Both children had huge constipation issues. My doc had me use mineral oil, but I would not recommend that if she has trouble swallowing. She could aspirate it and it can cause breathing problems.

Good luck. I hope she feels better.
Ame

By Marcia on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 10:30 am:

You can get Senokot liquid, which works well. Also, Milk of Magnesia works like a charm. I normally give gas-x at the same time as a laxative or lots of fiber, to ease the discomfort. As I mentioned in another post last night, Activia yogurt also works wonders.

By Nicki on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 02:47 pm:

Bless her heart, I hope she is feeling better soon. I don't have any advice, but it looks like the others have some good suggestions, and Dawn will probably be most helpful, too.

It must be so hard for you to see her hurting.
Hugs to you, too.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 07:50 pm:

I don't know if I can really be that much help. I guess if she's that uncomfortable, I would probably be calling the doctor and asking for advice. She could possibly need some of the stool manually extracted, not the most pleasant of tasks, but sometimes necessary when I worked in the nursing home.

We do Fleet's enemas once in a while, at the walk-in clinic where I work. I would check with a doctor first, though!

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 09:12 pm:

Ok! Dawn, I had to do the stool manual extraction myself...FUN!! Ame, I got some paste stuff that resembled the Nupercainal. That made her feel better. Thank God for rubber gloves and a strong stomach, no? I just didn't want her to be in pain anymore. My heart just ached for her...she was shaking so bad!!

So, she feels so much better. And, Marcia, I got that yogurt and I think I'm going to give that to her every day to help keep her regular.

Geez...I used to worry about my son's diet but now I have to worry about my mom's! ACK!

Thanks everyone!!!

By Mrsheidi on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 09:13 pm:

PS- Conni and Nicki...thanks for the support too!

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, March 5, 2006 - 09:48 pm:

Not really the most pleasant task. I've had to do it myself. You had already bought some rubber gloves? Did you have some KY jelly, too? I'm glad she feels better. That yogurt might help. I saw it at the store today.

By Mrsheidi on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 12:32 pm:

I asked my BIL to get them, along with the other stuff. No jelly, just elbow grease...aye caramba!

By Tklinreston on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 01:50 pm:

I'm so glad you were able to help your mom. I've been on the receiving end (many many times) while I was pregnant with 2nd ds and know SO WELL how awful it can be. You've definitely received great advice from all of the ladies. I hope it gets better for your poor mom!

By Kernkate on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 01:52 pm:

Heidi, Glad your mom is feeling better. You are a super DD for all you are doing.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, March 6, 2006 - 02:31 pm:

You should maybe get some KY, or other water soluble lubricant. It would make the job easier.

By Enchens on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 - 02:27 am:

Definitely get the KY. Not just for the extractor, but for the extractee.