I have improper bowel movements. What to do?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 30-year-old female. I do not have my bowel movements for few days. I was advised to take Cephalexin for E.coli present in my urine. My doctor advised me to take Ciprofloxacin. I do not have any side effects from these medications. But I have lower left abdominal cramps and it goes away when I lay down. I still have slow bowel sounds. I am passing gas but it is not usual. I have tried taking Colace, Miralax, and Dulcolax. I used an enema and had like a hand full of rabbit turds. I have increased my water intake. I have tried taking high-fiber foods. I am afraid whether I have something else or I need to go to doctor immediately.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope that you do not have these symptoms for a long time. Antibiotics can cause some amount of bowel upset. But mostly it causes diarrhea. I suggest you continue drinking plenty of water and avoid taking processed carbohydrates. Miralax or Polyethylene glycol is a good laxative. Take 17 grams mixed in two glasses of water twice daily. Along with it, you can take Dulcolax suppositories. Miralax can take a time of two or three consecutive days to show its desired results. If you have a feeling of incomplete evacuation, then defecatory disorder has to be ruled out.