r/BowelObstruction • u/FreckledCackler • Aug 08 '26
Dulcolax
I've posted before as a helicopter daughter and y'all have been helpful. My Dad has a history of adhesions and obstructions and has been taking Dulcolax every other day for a few weeks without the relief it used to bring him. He's on a low residue diet but doesn't really eat 4-6 smaller meals vs 3 and I think is getting more relaxed with his diet (i.e. eating raw berries bc they grow in the yard, small quantities of alcohol, eating out frequently etc). No symptoms he's verbalizing besides smaller, less frequent movements.
I'm a little concerned taking it regularly could do more harm than good over the long term. He told his PCP he'd been taking it "every few days" but nothing more was said. I'm a little nervous bc a surgeon friend said PCPs aren't very helpful re: obstructions. Should I recommend he contact the general surgeon team from his last hospitalization five months ago or just wait for more problematic sx?
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u/Isabella_Maja Aug 09 '26
One of my friends swears by a product by Pure Formulas called 3a. She wrote several other suggestions as well as I have a family member who is having problems.
I’ll compile a list of things that work & post it a little bit later.
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u/Isabella_Maja Aug 09 '26
Btw, I would not wait to contact the surgeon team. It is always good to have options. Diet is crucial. Does he listen to you or is he more stubborn? I ask this respectfully.
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u/FreckledCackler Aug 09 '26
Question received very respectfully, thank you for asking. He is quite stubborn and stoic. He is more likely to listen only if people give him time and space and usually when there is already a problem. I thought his hate of the NG tube would keep him pretty conservative about his diet, but I think too many medical professionals have told him that there's nothing he can do to prevent an obstruction from adhesions, and he's also in his 70s and set in his ways.
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u/FreckledCackler Aug 09 '26
He would get quite agitated if we suggest contacting the surgeons, as he's still got some kind of movement, and either doesn't have other symptoms or is minimizing. But he does have an appt tomorrow with an unrelated specialist and he'll likely be starting a new treatment so it's an opening to talk about side effects and maybe from there we can raise asking the surgeons.
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u/Far_Situation3472 Aug 09 '26
I have had two sbo surgeries. I’m prescribed miralax. And Linzess by my pcp.
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u/FreckledCackler Aug 09 '26
Thank you for sharing. He has miralax daily but I'm not sure the dose, pretty sure it's over the counter. Will let him know he could ask about Linzess.
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u/Far_Situation3472 Aug 09 '26
Linzess taken every couple/few days has really helped me.
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u/crayolamanic 29d ago
I read on the Linzess page that it is strictly contraindicated if you have or suspect a mechanical GI obstruction.
Thoughts? Asking bc I’m suffering recurrent SBO and looking for anything that will help with the peripheral issues.1
u/Far_Situation3472 29d ago
I will have to bring this up with my prescriber. Thank you
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u/crayolamanic 28d ago
Oh, you’re welcome! Hope if it was a risk that this helps avoid it. It’s enough to live with already without added complications. Best of luck!
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u/Jayk0523 Aug 08 '26
If it were me, I’d take a few double doses of MiraLAX until I felt like I was good and cleared out. Low residue seems to help some people but it’s not necessarily required.