Mom's backed up. Does anyone know what to do?

My mother in law started taking magnesium. She tried everything else. It really helped.

Feed her some coconut oil.

Prune juice!

Try the prune cocktail. I don't know the exact measurements. Fill a small glass halfway with prune juice. Add tsp of quick oatmeal, add a tsp of applesauce. Microwave that for very short time, half a minute. Stir, drink.

Forgive the details.....
Instead of disempaction, try having her wiggle back and forth on the toilet, after lubricating the area with oil or vaseline. (not talking about the toilet seat). I am not the technical expert on the forum, and cannot tell you the techniques. Your Mom could have a pelvic floor dysfunction; or have aging, damaged spinal nerves that no longer innervate the muscles needed to evacuate and are not working properly. The sphincter also needs to relax to allow passage of stool.

Basically, as I understand it, the tissues around the opening need to be gently and equally supported, at least on one side or the other. I do not believe this issue can always be taken care of only by medication. However, I am the least qualified to teach anyone how to do this mechanical maneuver. But thought I would at least bring it up,

My mother had bowel problems recently, no problems since 2006. Primary put her on Lactulose for three weeks took a few days to work and now back to normal. CT scan came back no bowel obstruction but full colon. Some medications can cause constipation.

My 97yr old Mom experiences the same problem with constipation. What we have found helpful is Ensure with fiber. I can only find it on Amazon. Also try Benefiber add to liquid or sprinkle in yogurt etc. and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Whatever liquid she wants then you can dilute it with water. Sometimes we still have problems but this has helped tremendously. Usually no explosions happen!
God Bless you on your journey🕊

I also would wonder why prune juice hasn't been used.  Your mother could get to the bathroom if the juice were administered gradually; it doesn't have to be a massive dose.

If she can eat nuts, they're good as well, and they're nutritious, as is soup.

Why not try something natural instead?   

I also ask what her diet is; this is a critical issue so consider that for assessment as well.

MomsOnly, did you try the fleets OIL enema. A regular Fleets won't work. You need the lubrication of the oil. This is a mess, but will work.
Curious how it is "going" today.

Believe it my dad's palliative care team suggested a tsp of olive oil three times a day and it worked wonders. He was on a strict reduced liquid intake. His bowels worked but his rectal contents were so dry he could not expel. This became a daily routine and movements must be monitored and logged for all caregivers.

In the last couple months of my husbands life, he became very backed up, and we tried everything Hospice recommended and nothing worked. Eventually they prescribed Relistor(the shot form), and within 15 minutes after having the shot, he was pooping up a storm in his bedside commode. He had to have that shot a couple times, with great success.
Sounds like you might have to get your mom one of those(bedside commode) if she's having trouble getting to the bathroom. It will make your life a whole lot easier. Best wishes.

Fleet OIL enema. It will be a mess, so be certain there are chucks everywhere, the oil will leak out. If there is utterly no push at all, then yes, you will have to disempact. Use the oil enema which will let those cement balls pass down. Then use colace daily. Do not stop unless there is diarrhea. Or this will happen again.

What is her diet?

Have you tried prune juice or kombucha?

I don’t know what the answer is. Bumping you up to receive help.

Best wishes to you and your mom.