Sorry this is really grim but I'm panicking - extreme constipation

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

I've just come out of hosp after v bad acute pancreatitis which am still recovering from. I was in hosp 2 weeks and I didn't poo since the day before I went in by ambulance.

Anyway, I can't get the poo out. Will movicol help with the stuff that's stuck like concrete right near the bottom? I'm scares to keep taking it unless it works on the huge concrete stuff in the way. The last thing I need is an increased urge to push when I literally cannot get it out?

I'm so sorry it's grim and I'm desperate. The hospital just sent me home w senna and movicol and no advice and I'm terrified.

[divingoffthebalcony]

Will movicol help with the stuff that's stuck like concrete right near the bottom?

Sadly not. But a glycerine suppository will help loads. Don't stop the Movicol either, just get that blockage shifted and you'll feel so much better.

I feel for you!

[amyhamster]

I'm surprised they let you out without sorting out the problem or giving you a suppository
You poor thing

[sunshineandshowers]

Recommend the glycerine. Works on anything. You poor thing xx

[AchyMcAcherson]

I would normally recommend Bisacodyl suppositories but they just stimulate the bowel. They work very well but I know what you mean about the concrete poo, you don't want to be ripped to shreds when you go.
I'm afraid when I've been that constipated (only twice, after days & days or morphine), I've had to resort to 'manual evacuation' get some rubber gloves, some Vaseline and clear the blockage yourself.
After that, try the Bisacodyl sups, they work in about 20 minutes and they work very well.
Good luck. Constipation is horrible, I suffer a lot because i take a lot of painkillers.
Ooh, just thought! Liquorice! Half a bag of liqourice all sorts gets me going the next day, it's magic! That could be an alternative to rummaging around in your bum.

[divingoffthebalcony]

You can get suppositories OTC by the way. Best thing is to insert it as far inside as you can manage (grim I know) then wait 20-30 mins, lying on your left side, while it melts.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

I can (sorry so gross) touch it and I've got a few bits out but it doesn't seem to squash together after it stays hard with a bit in the middle hollowed out.

God it's so awful. I can't go out its an achievement to get to the bathroom, I'm still so ill from the pancreatitis.

When I'm better there will be complaints on multiple things - it was awful I'm there. But just now I need to get through this

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

Sorry in advance.

Can you hook any out if you push through your vaginal wall rather than directly?

[AchyMcAcherson]

It sounds utterly grim. You poor thing.
I very rarely recommend A&E but it sounds like you might need an enema. Can you call your GP surgery & speak to an out of hours doctor? They may tell you to go to A&E to have an enema, or maybe to an OOH GP place. Could you get someone to take you if thats what they recommend?

[Debs75]

You need a suppository as the more oral stuff you take the more the newer poo will want to come out, causing you stomach pains. It's the old poo which has to come out first so a suppository will soften that. If you can't get out have you any glycerine soap which you could insert to agitate and soften the poo. (Just looked an Yahoo answers) apparently you need plenty of Vaseline to protect yourself

DD (2) once had awful constipation. She would scream at me and shake whilst she tried to poo. There was a blob of poo just sat there and every 30 minutes she would scream as she tried to push it out. Docs suggested suppositories and after 10 minutes she did a big poo and was so relieved.

[Cocolepew]

Try pushibg through your vagibal wall as Itsall said, or pushing on your perineum (sp) with wadded up toilet paper. Its best if you can put your feet on a stool.

I would put my feet up and go for the maunual evacuation myself.

[divingoffthebalcony]

Can you send someone out to a chemist ASAP?

[joanofarchitrave]

I would definitely talk to the out of hours doctor and get some advice. You poor thing and I'm so sorry to hear about your terrible care

[Cocolepew]

Obviously I meant a footstool not a… well you know.

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Ok I called my local pharmacist & she was really helpful. She knows my name as I have an unrelated condition that requires lots of prescription. She was so helpful I have 'fecal impaction' & she has recommended some kind of 'ready enema' thingy which may help, if not she says go back to the hosp & was also shocked hosp let me go like this.

She packing it up and am sending my dad to get it & asked her not to discuss it as one of the problems is he is utterly embarassed about illness of any kind and won't speak at all about anything 'down there'.

I really hope I can fix it without having to get anywhere as am so poorly still I had to get hospital transport home as can't sit up. A&E would destroy me :( god willing it will be ok without though....

[BreeVDKamp]

I had to give myself an enema in Sept - I'm sure you can buy them OTC?? A Fleet enema! It was GREAT!!! Do you have anybody you can send to the pharmacy? They shouldn't be embarrassed - they can genuinely use the "it's not for me" line...

Constipation is so miserable, I feel for you! But the relief will be immense. It has to come out at some point!

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

Thanks for the help btw, am pathetically grateful as am so scared. This last two weeks has been like this horrible horrible nightmare and Im not in a state to cope with anything anymore

[BreeVDKamp]

Oops, X-post. Hooray for you dad - you will be sorted in a few hours, I'm sure!

[TheCowThatLaughs]

When I had difficulty passing a really hard poo, I squatted down in the bath and it made it painless, just be ready with some toilet paper to scoop it up and put in the toilet, sorry a bit grim but worked for me when I was desperate! Good luck

[hairygodmother]

Everyone's given you good advice so go with some of that. Just wanted you to know that I know how you feel. I had pancreatitis and was in hospital for two weeks too, nil by mouth for a week. I absolutely know how you feel and the pain from getting everything moving again is almost worse than the pain of the pancreatitis itself. I really hope that some of the suggestions on here work for you, hope that the stuff from the chemist works and you get some relief. It does get better, honestly. In the meantime, just drink lots of water and maybe some fibrous fruit (grapes and dried apricots worked for me). Good luck.

[juneau]

I'm guessing she'll send you some Picolax - aka Dynorod! It does the trick, but for goodness sake stay close to the loo. My DS1 had a severe case of fecal impaction due to withholding. He didn't go for 12 days and it was just terrible for him (and us), so you have my utmost sympathy. I hope you get relief soon. Being stuck in hospital is horrific too. I'm convinced I had PTSD after a 12-day stay with DS2. It took me a while to be able to even think about it afterwards. for you and hope you recover quickly from all your ailments.

[hairygodmother]

It's all the painkillers that clog you up, esp the morphine.

[KoalaDownUnder]

Oh lord, you poor thing.

Glycerine suppositories are definitely the way to go. Crossing fingers that you get some relief soon!

[PretzelPrincess]

I really hope the ennema worked! I know exactly how you feel. After minor surgery and ALOT of painkillers I didn't go for 2 weeks. I was so bloated and in so much pain but just couldn't get it out. I had to resort to manual evacuation as by that point I was shaking, cold sweats it was horrible. Once it's out you will feel INSTANTLY better. Best of luck.

[NecklessMumster]

Second doing it in the bath or bowl of warm water when it's painful

[cardamomginger]

Have you tried one of these?

www.chemistdirect.co.uk/fleet-ready-to-use-enema/prd-ee

You can get them in any chemist over the counter.

They are fantastic .