As a doctor, has a patient ever made you face palm literally or figuratively?

Mateo Elijah

Yes

A man came in with severe constipation. He was complaining of feeling like he had knives in his rectum.

He had already been to see a doctor, and had a prescription for a bisacodyl suppositories. These usually work pretty quickly to resolve constipation.

Yet this man still was constipated, and in pain.

So, I did a rectal examination to see if I could find out what was hurting him.

At the time, bisacodyl suppositories came wrapped in foil. And, that’s exactly the way he had put all 6 suppositories inside- with the foil still on.

Two of them were still connected to each other (as shown above).

Once one of the suppositories was put in *without* the wrapper, it worked. Amazing, that.

We asked why he put the suppository in with the foil on, and his reply was “it didn’t say to take it off”.**

I don’t know why anyone would put medication wrapped in foil up their bottom, but… it takes all kinds, I guess.

** Note- it DID say it on the insert in the package, and there was a little red sticker on the box that said “read instructions before use”. It also said, on the package “do not remove from foil until ready to use”.

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