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What Causes Constant Diarrhea After Having Laxatives?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Dec 2014
Question: Please help i think i may have took too many laxatives in a small amount of time .....i took 3 in the a span of a week i wasnt having a BM for awhile so my grandma got me some Milk of magnesia and told me to try it so this was Sunday night i took it for the first time .....then i took another dose the next day was having constant diarrhea ..then was feeling dehydrated and was freaking out cuz my toungue was white and also was having abdominal pain so i was taken to ER they took xray said i was severely constipated...so they gave me magnisim citrate and told me to take it when i got home which was the same day i had the milk of magnesia so i took 2 different laxatives in one day then the next day took another dose of magisim citrate ....then went back to ER again because i was still in pain which was Wednesday they said i was still constipated so they gave me miralax ..i waited till Thursday night to take the miralax....now iv been off laxatives for a few weeks not taken them since that Thursday night.still feeling dehydrated went back to er they say im still constipated i haven't had any laxatives in a long time i don't know why im still feeling dried out did i take too much in a small amount of time.......please help im scared
thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms not likely due to over dosage of laxatives

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Dear Ms

First and foremost let me reassure you it is not due to any excessive dose of Laxatives.
Milk of magnesia is safe and so is miralax. As you have mentioned that you have not taken any laxatives since long time, they are unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms.

Dehydration and tiredness could be due

1. Decreased intake of water
2. Decreased intake of food or skipping of meals for fear of aggravating the symptoms
3. Loaded colon: Loaded colon affects the absorption of water and nutrients

I would suggest you the following which will definitely be helpful

1. Ensure good intake of water : 2 to 3 liter a day. Also do mix Electrolyte in at least one liter if water, drinking only excessive plain water could also lead to feeling of dryness because of electrolyte disturbance

2. Ensure intake of well balanced meals regularly

3. Consumption of Tender Coconut water if locally available will help you to great extent

4. Retention Enema; Just oral intake of laxatives will not deload the loaded colon. Rectal enema will help in evacuation of stools and give you much better feeling

5. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages.

If possible upload all your reports and x rays.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.



Take care

Best regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (2 days later)
I just feel like my body thinks its still on laxatives for some reason...did i throw my body off track?Is this possible and how can i fix it ?i think that my body is drawing all my nutrients into my bowls and its still doing so...why would it still think its on laxatives ?the doctors took blood tests and said i was getting nutrients in my blood ..maybe my body is absorbing some but not all i dont know im just really scared and think im going to die from this ...iv lost 4 pounds in a couple weeks.

Here is my last xray

Findings:

Gastrointestinal tract: Moderate amount of fecal material is
visualized in the colon. Mildly dilated bowel most likely due to
bowel ileus.
Visualized organs and vessels: Unremarkable as visualized.
Bone/joints: No acute process within the osseous structures of the
spine or pelvis.
Other findings: No upper abdominal calcifications. Lung bases appear
normal.

Impression: Moderate amount of fecal material is visualized in the
colon. Mildly dilated bowel most likely due to bowel ileus.

thank you for the help and advise ♥
Also i am pretty skinny to begin with i was 107 when i took the laxatives would that make a difference about how much i took ..?
they took urine test said that i had glucose in my urine i am also on my menstrual cycle could this cause Glucose to be in my urine?Im just so scared i messed up my absorption some how...im just so scared
doctor
Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly get Fasting and post prandial blood sugar levels

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

The dosage of laxatives used depends on body weight. Going by your weight ,there is no over dosage of laxative.

Presence of glucose in urine just implies Glycosuria. I would suggest you to get Fasting and post prandial sugar estimation done. If it's normal then there is absolutely no cause for concern.
As you have discontinued laxatives ,it is unlikely to alter your absorption any longer and there is no cause for concern. You will definitely require retention enema to clean up your colon.

Take care


Best regards
Dr Deepak
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3195 Questions

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What Causes Constant Diarrhea After Having Laxatives?

Brief Answer: Symptoms not likely due to over dosage of laxatives Detailed Answer: Hi Dear Ms First and foremost let me reassure you it is not due to any excessive dose of Laxatives. Milk of magnesia is safe and so is miralax. As you have mentioned that you have not taken any laxatives since long time, they are unlikely to be the cause of your symptoms. Dehydration and tiredness could be due 1. Decreased intake of water 2. Decreased intake of food or skipping of meals for fear of aggravating the symptoms 3. Loaded colon: Loaded colon affects the absorption of water and nutrients I would suggest you the following which will definitely be helpful 1. Ensure good intake of water : 2 to 3 liter a day. Also do mix Electrolyte in at least one liter if water, drinking only excessive plain water could also lead to feeling of dryness because of electrolyte disturbance 2. Ensure intake of well balanced meals regularly 3. Consumption of Tender Coconut water if locally available will help you to great extent 4. Retention Enema; Just oral intake of laxatives will not deload the loaded colon. Rectal enema will help in evacuation of stools and give you much better feeling 5. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated beverages. If possible upload all your reports and x rays. Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you. Take care Best regards Dr Deepak Kaltari Consultant Surgeon