Is this typical?

Hello out there again. I have a concern and need to know if what is going on is typical for patients with liver disease. As I advised in my previous posting, my mother has AIH. She was hospitalized for about a week, and then released to go home a week ago today. When she came home from the hospital, she was told to be on a low-fat high fruit and veggie diet. She has been eating a good amount of raw and steamed veggies and a lot of fresh fruit. From my research I also found she definitely needs a normal-low protein diet since she is having GI issues. She does not seem to be digesting too well and does not handle fats and oils all that great.

Ok, here comes the gross pat so I'm sorry if I offend anyone. When mom came home she was unable to have a bowl movement. She said she was very uncomfortable and was having feelings of stomach bloating and pressure and quite a bit of intestinal pain. I got her some prune juice and some Colace stool softener. She stopped taking all pain meds since they always give her the side effect of constipation. On day 4 and 5 after her return from the hospital, she was able to move her bowls just a very little bit. Today, after 3 days of stool softeners and prune juice, she finally had a significant bowel movement. However, when she went she had whole undigested small white pill tablets in her stool with some blood. I immediately called her hepatologist exchange and they connected me with the doctor on call since it is Sunday. The doctor said it is typical for this to happen. She said that a large number of patients who are bedridden in the hospital and are restricted on fluids and such for testing purposes go through the same thing. She said she believes that her digestive system is now waking up and we should not be concerned. she also told me there's no need to crush her pred tablets or any other meds either. The doctor stated that since she is now going (after much inducement) she is probably digesting fine. She also recommended I purchase her some Myralax because it has a laxative in it, not just a stool softener. So....is this typical, should I be concerned, should she really go on a laxative?

God Bless you all & Thank you!
FamilyRock

I agree with the doctor and  Sue.  I've also had these issues, especially during hospitalizations involving surgery.  They put me on Miraxlax for awhile.  It contains fiber and is not harsh.  However, since it is now available OTC, my insurance would no longer cover it, so I switched to something else that's cheaper.  If you do get the Miralax powder, mix it in a glass of juice (I liked apple) until it dissolves.  It's tasteless.