I Am Trying To Have A Bowel Movement And Stool

Posted on Sun, 20 Jan 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 20 Jan 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : I am trying to have a bowel movement and stool is hard and not moving I am rehabbing from hip replacement surgery 10 days ago. Have been taking oxycodone
and a stool softener/laxative. What cabin do to get this stool to come out? I am 67.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Fecal impaction post surgery.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing 'Ask a Doctor' service for your query,
Use Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution to empty the colon.You are having post surgical impaction of stools. In which hardened stool is stuck in colon.PEG-ES is in a class of medications called osmotic laxatives. It works by causing watery diarrhea so that -the stool can be emptied from the colon. Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES) comes as a powder to mix with water and take by mouth.You have to drink one 8 ounce of PEG-ES every 10 or 15 minutes, and to continue drinking until your liquid bowel movements are clear.It will clear your bowel.

In case if it also does not help go for Digital evacuation.It involves the use of fingers to aid in the removal of stool from the rectum.Stool is emptied by gently inserting a finger into the rectum and removing it.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T