Digestion

dood

Registered User
Oct 26, 2009
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UK
www.deebs.me.uk
Okay, has anyone insights into issues that affect digestion and so forth?

The reason I ask is that we seem to be having some success using Senna along with Activated Dimeticone Oral Suspension.

The last of these is probably better known as Infant Colic Drops or Dentinox.

The problem is I am not medically trained and don't know if observed easements are true or false or if someone has researched into this area in the past. Nor, in fact, if it is strictly an Alzheimer's Disease specialist area.

Dentinox seems to:
a - assist with relief of gastric gases
b - quieten down a gassy gut
c - "passes through" so also performs lubricates and assists stool movements

Problem: what dosage?

EDIT: snagged into poll option. Please ignore the poll.
 
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jenniferpa

Registered User
Jun 27, 2006
39,442
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Hi and welcome to Talking Point.

I assume you're asking 1) if constipation can cause problems and 2) if you use the infant colic mixture, how much should you use?

The answer to 1) is most definitely: constipation can cause an increase in confusion for people with dementia. Many many people use at the very least, stool softeners. I don't know the answer to 2) though. My first thought is - is there not an adult version of this?

P.S. I have had another thought - I'm not sure that senna is the best solution to a constipation problem as it can produce the sort of symptoms that you seem to be trying to manage with the colic medication - gas and pain.

What does the GP have to say?
 
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dood

Registered User
Oct 26, 2009
45
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UK
www.deebs.me.uk
Hi and thanks for the welcome.

Yes, inspired for sure. But not just constipation. To me is seems that constipation is merely a manifestation of some deeper issues maybe even invoking the mucous system too?

I was going to contact the supplier/brand (DDL Ltd) to see if they have knowledge of conducted clinical trials or research into adult use but it seemed far too difficult with no obvious website via google. So this forum seems the easiest solution.

A surfactant that releases trapped air in the gut, passes through the gut without being absorbed sounds as good as lactulose with wind relieving properties.

The Senna we use is not the prescribed variant but over the counter Senekot Dual Relief (constipation and bloating) and these seem (emphasis on seem) to be working well together [that is Senekot and Infant colic drops].
 
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JPG1

Account Closed
Jul 16, 2008
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Okay, Dood

It can be dangerous for anyone who is not ‘medically trained’, as you describe yourself, to introduce any med to alleviate a problem without consulting a ‘medically trained’ person.

Infant colic drops, and many other infant meds are currently being questioned in the UK, with many also being ‘lifted from the over-the-counter’ shelves, especially one much-abused and currently much-questioned infant med.

Senakot is often ‘given’ off prescription to many care home resident, by routine ... but it is also often abused.

Do you have a GP involved?

Contact the GP, or the Consultant, if you have one.

Listen to what they have to say, and then if you must contact the supplier (the brand you have already mentioned!!). The website is there, if you need to find it. But I am not posting it.

.
 

Territa

Registered User
Jan 10, 2008
35
0
Hi

Just a thought but I started with senna for mum and found it harsh I found that Lactulose as is much gentler on the system and it seemed to solve mum's problems. She had a really bad time before this was used.

Terri
 

dood

Registered User
Oct 26, 2009
45
0
UK
www.deebs.me.uk
Do you have a GP involved?

Contact the GP, or the Consultant, if you have one.

Listen to what they have to say, and then if you must contact the supplier (the brand you have already mentioned!!). The website is there, if you need to find it. But I am not posting it.



and

Territa
Just a thought but I started with senna for mum and found it harsh I found that Lactulose as is much gentler on the system and it seemed to solve mum's problems. She had a really bad time before this was used.

Terri

We've been through Lactulose and Movicol routes and these did not really provide an effective longterm solution and did provide a terrible gastric gas problem.

Senakot seems to do things very nicely and maintaining a Type 3 - 4 on Bristol Stool Form guide with a relatively painless movement. The alternatives are too painful on Maw for sure. GP prescribed 2 Senna tablets daily dovetailing on from our home use of 2 Senakot Dual Relief every two days that were not quite effective but better than previous meds. I am given to understand that Senna is available by prescription but Senakot Dual Relief or equivalent is not.

GP, GP team and Continence Clinic quite closely involved at all stages but I find it easy to ditch the bureaucratic stuff such as grovelling for additional capacity or increased numbers of incontinence pads.

For example on all-in-ones Lille at a similar spec to Euron Form (NHS provided) weigh in at less than half the price.

First stage of this is to make contact with learned sources and second is to present the information at GP medical review.

I do observe and encounter quite large lumps of numptyness in the whole process. :(
 
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gigi

Registered User
Nov 16, 2007
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As I understand it..Senna stimulates peristalsis...the stimulation of the bowel to do its work..it contracts and expands thereby pushing whatever is in the bowel through and out.

But it depends what's in the bowel.

If it's hard and difficult to pass you have a major problem..peristalsis will occur as a result of the senna..so the bowel will contract and squeeze on hard faeces..and could perforate...and that could be fatal.

GP, GP team and Continence Clinic quite closely involved at all stages but I find it easy to ditch the bureaucratic stuff such as grovelling for additional capacity or increased numbers of incontinence pads.

I'd be very wary of ditching any professional help at this stage...

I'd also be very wary about trying to sort it out for yourself. Constipation can be a result of a number of factors..it is not as simple as it sounds when it involves the elderly or those with chronic illnesses such as dementia.

It does sound as though you're more unhappy with the service you're getting..which is why you're trying to find your own solutions.

Believe me..constipation ultimately can kill...and mismanagement of it can kill too.

Go back to the people involved and express your concerns..but please don't try to work it out for yourself.
The problem is I am not medically trained

By your own admission you are not medically trained...please leave this to the people who are trained to deal with it...

And rest assured we are here to support you if you have any concerns or worries about that.

Love xx
 

dood

Registered User
Oct 26, 2009
45
0
UK
www.deebs.me.uk
Thank you for each and all replies.

Fuller details ... Maw is:

just over 90 years old

in quite a progressed mode of Alzheimer's Disease

prefers to be in her own home rather than a care home

has about 5 hours of meaningful wakefulness per day on average

has been wheelchair dependent for about last two years (oedema related?)

does not appear to have too profound peristalsis

As a general rule I much prefer to leave things to professionals but the nature of caring for someone with Maw's conditions often means being catapulted into events in which bureaucracies cannot really take effective action (why, one wonders, can "We can be bothered" appear to be a meaningful advert?)

The trouble is that on those occasions we happen upon or stumble upon solutions that seem better than NHS ones (and I don't wish to start on Maw's pressure sores acquired when in care nor the finger pointing about not in the Ward must have been in the ambulance must have been in transit with porters must have been missed by taxi driver (yes, sometimes we support local businesses and it is great because it twiggles up the accountability chain rather nicely yes?) must have been missed by nurse in title as nurse in qualification was not on duty on arrival date at destination care home must have been missed by one of our careworkers must have been one of the temps supplied by agency must have been ... are you sure you didn't do it yourself? :eek: ) if you know what I mean.