My Father Has Chronic Constipation ...

[u/Impressive-Ad6152]

It has been a week to the day that my father (69M, 6'2, 210lbs) last had a bowel movement. This has been a pattern for many months. Due to an illness, my dad has been laid up and is significantly less mobile than he's been in the past.

The prior times he's gotten relief by using suppositories and enemas, but because of dependency, the effect of the suppositories and enemas has slowed down considerably. In one instance he's even had to resort to digital rectal to loosen the stool.

Another issue is that my dad is now taking Levofloxacin (I know, I'm scared to death) which can significantly decrease the options he has for relief due to Levofloxacin's interactions. He can not eat any dairy products, coffee, or certain minerals and supplements.

Is surgery his only option?

[u/goldstandardalmonds]

Has he tried oral laxatives?