Hi XXXXXXX,
Welcome to XXXXXXX forum.

Let me know the associated symptoms along with abdominal pain.
Do you have abdominal discomfort/ abdominal bloating/ excessive flatulence?
Does this abdominal pain relieve after defecation?
Do you have history of weight gain/ dry skin/ mood swings along with mentioned symptoms?
Do you have history of altered bowel movements?

With the available described symptoms, there appears to be possibility of Irritable bowel syndrome.
Presence of constant abdominal pain, mucus discharge and hard stools suggest the diagnosis.
As constipation is an integral symptom, possibility of thyroid disorder must be rules out.
Past history of hip surgery and old age; both are considered as predisposing factors for mentioned symptoms.
Gastrointestinal motility progressively decreases with age and smooth muscles becomes weak.
Gastrointestinal motility also decreases if a person stick to bed for a long time because of any reason (as in your case due to hip surgery).

You should consult with XXXXXXX medicine specialist/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up.
You should go for complete blood count, thyroid profile, blood sugar and serum electrolytes.
You should also go for colonoscopy to rule out any mucosal pathology.

Miralax contains Polyethylene Glycol and it helps in evacuation by osmotic effect.
Although it is very effective, but you should use sodium picosulphate, milk of magnesia and liquid paraffin.
This preparation has stimulatory effect on intestine and increases gastrointestinal motility.
You should also take plenty of water along with high fibrous diet.

You can ask direct query on this URL: http://bit.ly/Dr-Mayank-Bhargava

Hope that helps.
Let me know if I can address any more concerns.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava

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