Hi everyone, I’m Jen and new here. I have been the sole caregiver for my Grandma for 9 months now. She has always had bathroom issues as far back as I can remember and I can tell you where every restroom is in a 100 mile radius. If she doesn’t have diarrhea, she is constipated. When I say constipated that means she is panicking she can’t go after less than 24 hours. She takes a lot of Imodium, at least 1 a day and usually 3. Today I caught her trying to dig herself out, then she tore the cabinets apart looking for laxatives. I am so very tired and getting ready to go home and see my husband for a short visit for the first time since October. Should I somehow regulate the Imodium? I’m afraid she is going to have the respite caregiver go out and buy more of each. I’m lost I don’t know if this even makes sense. Thank you for any ideas.
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Grandma needs to be off the artificial OTC stuff that makes her go and the stuff that stops her from going. Throw it all out. Use good diet to regulate her. The respite caregiver should be told that under no circumstances should she give Gma anything artificial for her bowels. Set up a diet with the help of a dietician for grandma. Ask the doctor for placebos if you have to.
You haven’t seen your husband for 10 months??? Wow.
If you're gone and your grandma sends the caregiver out to buy Imodium and/or a laxative there's nothing you can do about it. Don't put the caregiver in the position of defying your grandmother. Deal with it when you get back.
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Has she been to a doctor to have things checked? It could be something more than just her diet.
If you're interested in trying more natural things you might want to consider seeing Clinical Nutritionst or a naturopathic doctor. A compounding pharmacy might be able to give you the name of someone in your area.
even my mom seemed like she was addicted to laxatives. shes no longer allowed (by me) to use laxatives. and was told to use prune juice. (current age 88)
my mom is in assisted living, so she cant have laxatives in her room anyway. her meds are given to her by the med tech.
hold old is your grandma?
if you are tired of the back and forth (which can not be good for her health) have her seen by a dr.