Embarrassing topic.. Constipation

[KirstyKik]

Hate asking about these things but easier here than in a Chemists shop or Boots! lol

Im a mum and not pregnant atm but terrible constipation from painkillers for a bad knee injury, its past needing taking them now but totally need something to get me going again!!

I'm off work today but working again tomorrow, is there anything I can take thats going to work really fast and ensure relief today??

Dont mind what or what effects though prefer not to have cramps! lol

Please help!!

Nothing apart from preventive advice from someone who doesn't do well with painkillers and wishes they advised you on this when you bought them. Next time up the fibre and fluids as soon as you start taking them (well that works for me). If it gets bad I like a hot bath and a massage of all the uncomfortable areas then make sure you prop your feet up when you're on the loo like on the squatty potty.

It depends how far the blockage is in the bowel.

My go to is Movicol (also called Laxido) if I'm backed up I take one sachet or just a little sometimes I take a half one day and then another half the next day if needs be. This will take about 12 - 24 hours to kick in mind you. It can be bought at a chemist.

One of the most instantaneous solutions is a glucose suppository - you can buy them in the chemist or boots. But they only work if the blockage is in the lower section of the bowel. If it is this will work within minutes!

Basically I use Movicol when my painkillers cause a backup. For me it is the best.

Things that don't work in my experience are fybrogel (or similar) as this has to be taken to prevent constipation, not solve it. I found it helped me to not get constipated, but if I was this just didn't do anything. Similar for lactulose, good prevention, not a cure.

If you got to the chemist you can get lactulose ... recommend trying that, drink lots of fluids and if it’s coming but hard to get out try applying pressure in the perennial ... gently to get out ... all sounds gross but helps ... had a bad back spasm once ... could poop or walk really for about a week ... had super strong pain meds it was as you can imagine an interesting mix ... constipation is very uncomfortable so completely understand x x

May I point you
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3542102-I-need-help-NOW-Warning-Not-a-pleasant-subject

Maybe try the sachet widgerbeana suggested ... as must confess I was swigging lactulose from the bottle an din excess in the end to get it moving x x

Try some lactalose - but away from other people, as your wind will be the most awful
Thing you've ever smelled.

That's the mumsnet gold standard poo thread.

Anything with sorbitol in - sugar free sweets, products for diabetic people. I pay close attention to labels after a couple of unintended and never-to-be-forgotten experiences with sorbitol.

AnnaComnena I know how you feel, some very embarrassing memories coming back.

I took Dulcolax for issues with this before but it worked overnight and the cramps made me want to be sick.... but.... It did work! and I felt better afterwards at least :D
If you want something a bit friendlier and more natural, eat a bunch of prunes. They have a natural laxative in them called sorbitol. Don't eat tonnes of them though or you won't be able to stop pooping. If I am taking codeine (makes me v constipated) then I would eat about 7-8 prunes a day, keeps me regular. Might need to eat more than this if you are backed up currently and want relief.

I am on painkillers with codeine in them, I use dulcoease, they soften everything up by pulling more water in. Make sure you drink plenty, eat lots of fruit & veg as well.

Re Sorbitol and sugar free? never as far as I know had sugar free anything.

What did you eat and how much to get an effect and was it in less than a day or half day?

Sounds too good to be true! lol

My worst experience was when I bought a jar of delicious looking black cherry jam, not realising it was intended for people with diabetes. I spread some lavishly on a chunk of fresh bread. Might been an hour, certainly not more than two, before I felt the effects. Fortunately I was at home.

I always check for sorbitol now, especially as so many more sugar free things are coming onto the market.

Less than an hour before starting this thread you said on another thread how prune juice worked for you. 🤔

Massage your tummy clockwise, especially if you have hard bits
Vigourous exercise
HOt water bottle on the tummy
WHen on the loo have your feet raised up on a stool or pile of books
Avoid anything high in fibre or fat until it comes out
Moviolas /laxido is very effective