Elderly Toilet Issues

[bainbrig]

I know it’s common for old people to suffer from speeded-up digestion (i.e. eat, sit, wait an hour, defecate). A nuisance. But are there any mild medications to slow down the process?

Ta

BB

[ummmm]

Ring your pharmacist. There must be something.

[woofgang]

I am not sure that you are passing what you just ate.....more like the act of eating stimulates your digestive system to peristalse making your bowel empty. Does it happen with anything you eat or are there trigger foods?

[Sqad]

I thought that this pattern was normal, particularly in the elderly (gastro-colic reflex) and providing that your stools are well formed and you don't have diarrhea after each meal........I shouldn't worry OR take anything.

[Mamyalynne]

It's very common in newborns too.

[bainbrig]

Sqad, I think it is normal, but it can be disruptive, as you have to programme it in!

B

[ummmm]

It is normal.

[anneasquith]

Not everyone has the luxury of knowing when * the pooping * will come B :*)

[Sqad]

Is this a long standing problem or a recent one?
I would be loathed to suggest any medication, but if pushed, then try Buscopan.

[spathiphyllum]

Taking something to make life less disruptive may have side affects which makes life disruptive.

[bainbrig]

Recent, in that it's only come on since I got old!

[woofgang]

sqad, if BB wanted to get a bit more control occasionally, eg to go out for a day or a special meal, how about loperamide?

[Sqad]

woofy....yes....a good suggestion for that special occasion.

[bainbrig]

Thanks, I’ll investigate the suggestion.

Normally it’s just one of the joys(!) of getting old, but there are times when continence would be nice.

BB

[Peter Pedant]

// It's very common in newborns too.//
blimey so long ago, that was, I cant remember

eat sit poop seems normal to me ....
ABC - after breakfast ....

[aelmpvw]

//eat, sit, wait an hour, defecate//
are you going for a special meal which is an eighty minute taxi ride?

[woofgang]

I used to work in what was known as a long stay hospital for very disabled older people. The care staff were brilliant at making life as interesting as possible and used to arrange outings for pretty much any of the residents who were capable of enjoying them....trips to the local beach, pub lunches, a drive out through the local countryside stopping at an icecream van...loads of things. Judicious use of loperamide, prescribed and supervised by the medical team, made it possible for many people to go on outings who would otherwise not have been able to.

[bainbrig]

Woofgang, thanks. Loperamide (Imodium) might be an answer.

Bb

(Peter. I haven’t pooped for 60+ years)...

[KARL]

Whoa, nobody warned me that is coming - when does it kick in, at what age ?

[night-fury]

Need to see doc I think. Everyone has different health issues.

[bainbrig]

What’s a doctor going to do? Tell me I’m getting old?