HELP constipation and toilet blocking (sorry TMI!!!!)

[senoritachiquita]

I know this is massively TMI but I just have to vent. For me, constipation and all that goes with it (piles... embarrassment at using work toilets...) has been by far the worst part of pregnancy. Just as bad 2nd time round as first time. I should probably be grateful that this really isn't a serious problem but God is it humiliating! At the moment I'm on lactulose and all bran every day and I still can only go to the toilet twice a week. The thing is that every time I go, it all comes out and without fail blocks the bloody toilet (great at work, or when husband waiting to get in to have a shower) Is it just me or is anyone else having this problem!?!? Working at home today thank god and have got a toilet right now waiting for me to unblock (boke). Can't believe I have another 8 weeks of this...

[mswibble]

Hi senorita! I'm only 16+5 and I've been struggling with this for weeks. Ive tried upping my fibre and water intake but it doesn't seem to help.
I agree - it is mortifying!

[MrsLovell]

I can totally sympathise with you senior. I have exactly the same problem and I'm only 14 weeks in. Drinking massive ammounts of water and eating loads of fibre seem to do nothing. I would be very interested to hear if anyone has any safe and effective remedies. I go twice a week if I'm lucky and always cause a blockage, which is always at work because my guts seem to think this is the most appropriate place to finally give in. Thankfully there are toilet brushes in all our loos at work so I have some means of battling the beast into submission and removing any evidence!

[senoritachiquita]

Oh poor you!! Yes I've had it constantly since pretty much the first trimester. All the usual sensible diet recommendations have zero effect on me. Lactulose twice a day has definitely helped stop things being quite so uncomfortable when I do go - you can get it over the counter - and just sticking with the minging all bran every single bloody day! If I miss a day or 2 it's a disaster.

[senoritachiquita]

Oh yes and I've had to get the old toilet brush out at work on many occasions! fortunately we have moved office now and have more than just 1 toilet so I can cover my tracks a bit better...

[divingoffthebalcony]

Stop the All Bran. If you're not drinking enough water, it can set in the gut like concrete. It might even be the reason you can only go twice a week.

Go back to your doctor and ask for Movicol instead of Lactulose. I am an expert in all things constipation (and currently pregnant myself so my symptoms are MUCH worse than usual) and it's life-changingly effective! Lactulose used to give me awful wind as well

[senoritachiquita]

Diving - ohh really? That might well explain why its like I've chucked half a ton of clay down the toilet!!! And yes I do have the wind problem also - but embarrassment of that pales in comparison with the rest, so hadn't thought to mention it :)

I will definitely go back to the doctor and give Movicol a go if you recommend it. And thank God that lets me off having the bowl of the dreaded All Bran which i was about to prepare.

[divingoffthebalcony]

Yep, I hereby give you permission to stop the All Bran Besides, it's grim.

Insoluble fibre makes the stool very bulky, as you know! Apparently soluble fibre is better (you can get a supplement called Fibresure which is tasteless and mixes into any drink). Still didn't help me much, but I'm a stubborn case.

[stargirl1701]

45 ml of Lactulose daily. 100g of prunes daily.

[divingoffthebalcony]

OMG, if I ingested THAT much Lactulose and that many prunes every day, I'd have to become a hermit to spare people from suffering the putrid windy after effects!

Seriously, I am not sponsored by Movicol, but it is really effective and no wind issues.

[smogsville]

Prunes every morning with breakfast. And give up large portions of meat they will do you no favours. Have it in casseroles with loads of veg instead. Spinach on the side or dressed as a salad with everything.

[senoritachiquita]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! Although I must say if I drank as much water as I'm probably supposed to do, I might as well just sit on the toilet all day, because already I'm there every 20 mins for a pee!

[stargirl1701]

That's my current daily dose for iron tablets and their joyous impact - 3 months done and 3 months still to go!!!! Ah, the post natal period is such a delight

[amy83firsttimer]

Spatone iron supplements are meant to not give you constipation.

[naty1]

Fybogel.

I have constipation at only 5 weeks prob due to all my meds. Worst thing is its alternating with diarrhoea. None much good if you already have piles from dc1.

[Tykeisagirl]

Okay, I have no advice re diet and medication, but having stayed at my in laws house (not in the UK) where an average sized poo blocks the toilet I've found this helps. Basically you flush as you go so you're not trying to get rid of it all at once, and wipe after you've flushed so you're not adding a layer of paper on top.

[bonzo77]

Movicol my love. And gallons of water. Stop the allbran and lactulose. Movicol in prescription from gp

[18yearsoftrying]

I tried all of the above but was unsuccessful.

Have been on Laxido via prescription and it's worked a great.

[OttiliaVonBCup]

Bonne Maman Apricot Compote.
Should come on prescription.
All you need.

[magneticfield55]

Falafel. Seriously.

[divingoffthebalcony]

Laxido is the same as Movicol 18years. I honestly think I'll have a box in my house for life!

[senoritachiquita]

Ok no all bran today or yesterday- and have actually been able to go 2 days in a row- unheard of!! Ate lots of fruit today so will try to keep that up.

Weirdly I did also have falafel, maybe something to repeat!

I hear you about flushing as you go along- but still doesn't always work.

[18yearsoftrying]

Thanks for letting me know, I wasnt aware of that Get me learning something while on mat leave!

[wigglybeezer]

have you tried pouring a large bucket of water into the loo from a height, it is a non yucky toilet unblocking method.

[Ruth10]

Prune juice! It's horrible (I hold my nose as I drink it) but it really helps.

[rachelb2014]

Constipation is awful - you all have my sympathy!

How bad is it when you actually try to go?

It takes me forever, and I have to strain