36/m cancer patient receiving chemo, no significant BM since 11/2. It's been 5 hours since I completed a colonoscopy prep (238mg Miralax + 64 oz Gatorade) with no bowel movement. At what point do I go to the ER?

As titled.

  • I have cancer, currently going through chemo, and pain meds stopped me up last week.
  • I'm immunocompromised (possibly neutropenic), so I'm trying to avoid the ER if I can.
  • Been taking Senna every day, Miralax every other day, but my system wasn't having it.
  • Used a fleet enema yesterday and only 5 or so pebbles came out. The saline all came out.
  • Likewise, since I finished the Miralax mix today, only half a dozen pebbles have come out, and with too much force at that.
  • Magnesium citrate was either sold out or recalled at all my local drug stores today, so it's unfortunately not an option.
  • My abdomen has been rocking and rolling (gurgling, cramping, gassy) since I finished, even as I'm typing this.
  • My telemedicine benefit won't work because my insurance company's site is down.

This is a clusterfuck. I feel like I have a blockage, but also feel like I've done a lot to try to move that blockage through. Is there anything else I can do to avoid the ER?

Posted Nov 13, 2022, 2:29 AM UTC · locked

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goldstandardalmondsMOD•

I work in oncology. No one here should give medical advice to a oncology patient in active treatment. If your oncology clinic doesn't have an after hours line with a nurse (ours dose) or an on-call oncologist, or if your location doesn't have a Telehealth phone number, then I would suggest you post on r/askdocs. It You need advice from a medical professional.

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