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Suggest Treatment For Flatulence And Pain While Suffering From Gas
Posted on
Thu, 17 Sep 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 17 Sep 2015
Answered on
Mon, 5 Oct 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : I have gastroathy, I have a lot of gas. Very bad and painful, what I took did not help. Was told to take a laxative to rid myself of the gas. I did and it really helped. Next four days no bowel movement, tried a laxative ( Dulcolax ) , did not work, so tried again no results so far at 12:00 am. I feel o.k. Is it safe to try again or try Miralax.
Brief Answer:
can try the miralax
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Ducolax is normally used 1 to 2 tablets once daily so if you used it within the last 12 hours then you cannot repeat at this time.
You can use the miralax if you are still constipated and have no history of any problems with it. This is also a laxative but a different type than the ducolax.
In terms of the future may want to consider: (1) reduce gas producing foods such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, turnips, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carbonated drinks
Use other vegetables and salads for your fiber
(2)use alternate vegetables and fruits to help with fiber. Also whole grain foods.
You need at least 5 servings daily, more if possible.
This means each main meal and each snack should have fiber
(4)you can also consider a fiber supplement if it is difficult to get enough fiber from foods eg benefiber, cetrucil, metamucil
(5)use a lot of fluids if you have no kidney or heart disease where fluids are restricted
This does not include caffeinated drinks or alcohol because they cause the body to lose fluids
(6)consider restarting one of the acid meds mentioned nexium, prilosec.
Or others in this family prevacid, protonix, aciphex.
Though it did not work initially, may help if retried, this meds can take 5 to 7 days to have an effect however so there is not going to be an immediate response.
(7) try to avoid using laxatives too often. Frequent use of laxatives actually have the opposite effect, they stop the bowel from working on its own and constipation can worsen
Very occasional use eg once every few weeks may be ok
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
can try the miralax
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Ducolax is normally used 1 to 2 tablets once daily so if you used it within the last 12 hours then you cannot repeat at this time.
You can use the miralax if you are still constipated and have no history of any problems with it. This is also a laxative but a different type than the ducolax.
In terms of the future may want to consider: (1) reduce gas producing foods such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, turnips, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, carbonated drinks
Use other vegetables and salads for your fiber
(2)use alternate vegetables and fruits to help with fiber. Also whole grain foods.
You need at least 5 servings daily, more if possible.
This means each main meal and each snack should have fiber
(4)you can also consider a fiber supplement if it is difficult to get enough fiber from foods eg benefiber, cetrucil, metamucil
(5)use a lot of fluids if you have no kidney or heart disease where fluids are restricted
This does not include caffeinated drinks or alcohol because they cause the body to lose fluids
(6)consider restarting one of the acid meds mentioned nexium, prilosec.
Or others in this family prevacid, protonix, aciphex.
Though it did not work initially, may help if retried, this meds can take 5 to 7 days to have an effect however so there is not going to be an immediate response.
(7) try to avoid using laxatives too often. Frequent use of laxatives actually have the opposite effect, they stop the bowel from working on its own and constipation can worsen
Very occasional use eg once every few weeks may be ok
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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