Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 My dear mother, 89, is here for a visit and having some problems with constipation. This is in spite of an excellent diet with lots of fibre, fluid, fruit and vegetables. She is otherwise in decent health, but suffers from memory problems. So if she claims to be totally regular at home, that may not be true at all. Last year she was still totally regular, at least while she was here. I used to have her on a regimen of my Rainforest supplements, but once she is home in Holland she will forget to take them anyhow, so what's the point. Last week we had a scary episode. To make a long embarrassing story short, Mom woke up on Sunday, not feeling well. She ended up vomiting, and then producing first diarrhea and later a humungous copious bowel movement of miscellaneous consistency that went on and on. More diarrhea followed, till I remembered Sangre de Drago which got it under control quickly. This involved falls, and a very embarrassing mess, and a recovery period of about 3 days. We got a commode now right by her bed. The last bowel clearing was last Monday. It is now Sunday. Nothing since then! . Mom is still feeling fine and has an appetite, but we are getting worried We have fed her prune juice, a liver formula containing Boldo, tried a glycerine suppository this morning, and also this morning given her a commercial senna tablet. We have also made a doctor's appointment for Tuesday, just in case, but it would be nice not to have to go. So my question is: what is the extreme limit of normal in the elderly? Ien in the Kootenays ************************* Healing Body, Mind and Planet with Wild Whole Foods http://wildhealing.net ************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Not to be scary but my mother had several bouts with colon cancer and this sort of irregular bowel movement was one of the first signs. Even if you manage to get her movements regulated before Tuesday, I would strongly recommended that she keep that Tuesday doctor's appointment and you consider asking about a colonoscopy to check for problems if the doctor doesn't suggest it. Ida - Ieneke van Houten Sunday, June 19, 2005 9:18 PM help, my Mom can't poop! My dear mother, 89, is here for a visit and having some problems with constipation. This is in spite of an excellent diet with lots of fibre, fluid, fruit and vegetables. We have also made a doctor's appointment for Tuesday, just in case, but it would be nice not to have to go. So my question is: what is the extreme limit of normal in the elderly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Have you tried rhubarb root? It's yucky tasting but it works. Traditional Medicinals makes a pleasant tasting tea called Smooth Move, that works too. Juana Serrano True Essence Bath & Body Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 <Have you tried rhubarb root? It's yucky tasting but it works. > Yes we have! We have tried Fiberzon Plus, which contains Rhubarb root and has been a very moving experience for many people with very stubborn problems! We have also tried senna, which is a pretty heavy duty laxative, and a glycerin suppository. All the regular things, excellent food, some exercise, lots of water .......black bean soup for supper last night, diluted prune juice with warm water instead of coffee and tea. The weird thing is that Mom feels fine, so far. So my question is: what is the extreme limit of normal for an 89 year old? We are now getting ready to do a mild coffee enema. Good thing we always have organic coffee anyway! I live out of town, my husband needs the car tomorrow, we really don't want to have to do the doctor thing. Thank goodness my experienced sister is here. She is wonderful. She has worked with severely handicapped people for over 30 years and is totally familiar with any procedure. Ien in the Kootenays ********************************** " What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on? " ~Thoreau Saving the rainforest, a cup of tea at the time. http://wildhealing.net ******************************** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 What about good old Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It is mild and works well. Peggy Yes we have! We have tried Fiberzon Plus, which contains Rhubarb root and has been a very moving experience for many people with very stubborn problems! We have also tried senna, which is a pretty heavy duty laxative, and a glycerin suppository. All the regular things, excellent food, some exercise, lots of water .......black bean soup for supper last night, diluted prune juice with warm water instead of coffee and tea. The weird thing is that Mom feels fine, so far. So my question is: what is the extreme limit of normal for an 89 year old? We are now getting ready to do a mild coffee enema. Good thing we always have organic coffee anyway! I live out of town, my husband needs the car tomorrow, we really don't want to have to do the doctor thing. Thank goodness my experienced sister is here. She is wonderful. She has worked with severely handicapped people for over 30 years and is totally familiar with any procedure. Ien in the Kootenays ---------- Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.8/22 - Release 6/17/05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 <What about good old Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It is mild and works well. Peggy> Magnesium! Now why didn't I think of that! I'll get some tomorrow. Thanks. It is good for when she feels nervous and has trouble sleeping too. I used to give her some. This year I stopped doing all the supplements because she'll forget them once she is home anyhow. Anyway, we did a coffee enema yesterday which had the desired results. At least we could cancel the medical appointment. Our hospital is tiny , anything special requires out-of-town trips. She'll be home by July 8th. This will most likely be her final trip here, so we are making the most of it. Ien in the Kootenays ************************* Healing Body, Mind and Planet with Wild Whole Foods http://wildhealing.net ************************* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Have her drink lots of water with it too. I use a product called Natural Calm which I take every day. It keeps me regular and has the added benefit of better sleep too. It is sold quite a few places on the internet now. Peggy <What about good old Phillips Milk of Magnesia. It is mild and works well. Peggy> Magnesium! Now why didn't I think of that! I'll get some tomorrow. Thanks. It is good for when she feels nervous and has trouble sleeping too. I used to give her some. This year I stopped doing all the supplements because she'll forget them once she is home anyhow. ---------- Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.7.9/23 - Release 6/20/05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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