When Constipation Gets Bad: Your Rescue Plan
When do I use the constipation rescue plan?
In general, we recommend using the rescue plan if:
You haven’t had a bowel movement in 4 or more days
OR
You are already taking the maximum doses of senna (8 tablets per day) and Miralax (34 grams per day) and are still constipated.
Also, if you report constipation symptoms in your daily survey, we will let you know if it’s time to use your rescue plan.
If you need to use the rescue plan, make sure to call your care team so they are aware and can help. Whenever constipation gets severe, it can be painful to get things moving again. This is expected, but still reach out to your care team if you have severe pain, vomiting, or are unable to have a bowel movement.
If at any point you develop severe abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or if you don’t pass gas from your bottom (or ostomy) – NOTIFY YOUR CARE TEAM IMMEDIATELY. This could be a sign of a more serious problem like a blockage of the bowels.
Steps to Your Constipation Rescue Plan
Step 1
Call your care team. They need to know if your constipation is this severe.
Step 2
Continue taking your daily constipation plan medicines.
Step 3
Take a half of a bottle of magnesium citrate. Drink 2 glasses of water with this.
Wait 12 hours.
If no BM, go to step 4.
Step 4
Take the other half of the bottle of magnesium citrate. Drink 2 glasses of water with this.
Wait 12 hours.
If no BM, go to step 5.
Step 5
Use a glycerin suppository (if you have been told that it’s safe for you). If you can’t use suppositories, or aren’t sure, call your care team.
Step 6
If you still haven’t had a bowel movement at this point, call your care team.
If you have a good-sized bowel movement at any point, great! Stop there, and adjust your daily laxatives moving forward. Tap for tips on how to adjust your laxatives to stay regular.
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