Constipation Tricks

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing various remedies and strategies for managing post-operative constipation, particularly in patients who are using narcotics. Suggestions include warm prune juice, milk of magnesia, coffee, stool softeners, ambulation, and specific laxative cocktails like the "brown cow" or "brown bomb." Some members also mention medications like Methylnaltrexone bromide and psyllium powder as effective options.

Does anyone have any good ideas for post-op constipation (with narcotic use)? I see this so much and want to give my patients the best advice I can.

We give our patients "crappuccino." Milk of mag, prune juice, and molassses...all dumped into a coffee cup, mixed with a bit of warm water, and microwaved to a nice "coffee" temperature...

:no: :barf02:

I just love the barfy smiley...

Specializes in Case Mgmt; Mat/Child, Critical Care.
cotjockey said:
We give our patients "crappuccino." Milk of mag, prune juice, and molassses...all dumped into a coffee cup, mixed with a bit of warm water, and microwaved to a nice "coffee" temperature...

OMG! "crappuccino"...

I don't know why but that just sounds hilarious!! ?

"Crappuccino" is just disgusting...smells and looks like what it makes you do...tastes bad, looks bad, works soooo good!

Specializes in Rehab, Neuro, Travel Nurse, Home Care.

I mix Lactolose with warm prune juice. It works really fast, but this after I tried water, ambulation, and stool softners.

The patients I am referring to are all on stool softeners, I always suggest prunes/juice, coffee, ect, and I am just looking for more tips - exactly like what you all have provided, Thanks!!!

The Bomb!!!

MOM 30cc

Lactulose 15cc

Cascara 15cc

Mix. Shake. Administer and then stand back.....

Specializes in MICU/SICU.

Walk 'em, if at all possible. If not, sit them up in a chair. Most uncomplicated postops can get OOB into a chair at least...

And, try not to take away thier morning coffee :)

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Love this thread for all of the cocktail names! Opioids require a stimulant laxative on top of a stool softener. Otherwise it's all mush and no push. We use senna-S in hospice.

I've seen great results with a "brown cow" laxative recipe: warm prune juice mixed with Milk of Magnesia. It's gentle and effective. You can find the full recipe and more details here - https://www.simplerecipebox.com/brown-cow-laxative-recipe-unleash-the-power-of-nature/.  From my experience, adding a bit of coffee also helps.

Don't fleet enemas work?

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