Constipation .. what can I do tonight?

[februaryninth]

I’ve had constipation on and off for about 4 weeks ... no real idea why other than taking cocodamol for pelvic pain .

I’m on a ‘diet’ (low cal) and eating a lot more fibre - fibre one bars, spinach, beans or chickpeas, lentils, wheetabix, green veg every day etc.

Normally I’d go to the loo morning and evening - now it’s 24h of diarrhoea then nothing at all and then by bedtime I’m desperate and sore . Waking up overnight with the urge to go etc .

I haven’t been properly for days and days, I’ve been taking senna with no real effect and hoping it would just go back to normal .

Suspect I have piles as well - as I’m bleeding when I do go .

I know I should see the GP but I’m so bloody uncomfortable tonight, I’m hugely bloated, not really farting even (unusual for me) and sore . I’ve managed a tiny amount about half hour ago but nothing since .

Is there anything I can do tonight ? It doesn’t seem worth bothering 111 or anything over, nhs website says it’s a problem you can treat yourself ... can you double dose senna for instance ?! I’ve ended up taking cocodamol again as I’m so bloody sore which I know is making things worse !

Constipation is a side effect of codeine.

Read the leaflet with the senna, the dose can be stepped up, but not know8n* which brand/how much you are already taking we can’t advise

water
a cup fridge cold first thing in the morning, followed by a swift 10 walk.

Any sugar free sweets or chewing gum in the house? They always give me the shots.

*shits

Try a few cups of boiled water sit on the toilet with your feet on a stool and see if younget any thing. Too much fibre can bulk up id ease up on the fibre bars.

Stay hydrated, plenty fluids.
Glass of fresh orange if you have any in and keep moving.

Good luck x

Lots and lots of fluids. Increasing fibre (certain types) can make you very constipated if you don't drink enough fluid to go with them as your stools become dry hard and bulky. Plus codeine aswell. Senna doesn't tend to help with this type of constipation as it just stimulates your bowel to push the poo out - which can be both painful in terms of the bowel contracting and in terms of a bulky hard poo trying to move through. Fruit juice; apple, pear, prune are good natural alternatives. You may want to try an alternative such as docusate (softens and stimulates) or macrgol but a pharmacist could advise tomorrow.

Having said that, any change in bowel habit, bleeding etc should be checked out by your GP just to make sure to rule out other causes.

California Sunsweet prune juice always works for me

Yes like pp said constipation is a side effect from codeine. Also if you have a bit of a blockage, too much fibre can just kind of block you up further so you need something to get it moving. You need a lot of liquid and something like a stool softener to help.

Lactoluce (sp) is something you can take every day which helps, or for faster relief, movicol is usually good in my experience. Movicol you can take like one sachet a day if I remember correctly, or for impaction I think it's seven sachets all in one go. You can buy both of these OTC in a pharmacy. Also what helps, and it might sound a bit weird, but you can try it tonight is like a massage. You kind of have to massage your abdomen around where your intestines are and you might even feel something there and be able to sort of get it moving... Sorry if that sounds a bit yuck.

Lots of water. 75mls prune juice - do not underestimate the power of prune juice!!! More than this and you’ll be shitting through the eye of a needle, involuntarily

Dulcoease, you can buy them from the supermarket, take two at night, drink a couple of pints of fluid & hopefully it will work by morning, if not keep taking 3 times a day & keep drinking until they work. They draw more fluid in to your bowel & soften everything up. Saves a lot of pain & a sore bum. Also hot strong coffee works, drink it as hot as you can stand it.

Berries with canderel. Works every time!
Ease off on the fibre as this can cause the constipation to actually get worse.

Can you get hold of peppermint tea tonight?

It won't help with constipation but it does help with wind and bloating.

You are in a vicious cycle of codeine induced constipation, then dosing with senna, then rebound constipation. Codeine really isn't good for more than a few days because it bungs you up badly (and is addictive)

While you are taking it you need a daily stool softerner.. lactulose or better still, movicol. Movicol you can take a sachet or two a day for maintenance, but you might need an impaction dose (up to 8 sachets a day) if you have stuff stuck higher up.. Prune juice etc is great but not up to codeine. Drink lots.
Also it's worth getting some glycerine suppositories ( chemists sell them) if there is poo low down.. moisten , insert, lie on your left side with a hot drink and wait! Attack the constipation from all angles!

All the above plus going for a walk. Exercise helps.

Exercise
Running without fail sorts me out

Glycerin suppository.
Squat on the toilet (put your feet on the toilet seat and squat down) for ten minutes or as long as you can.

This video explains why squatting is good for constipation....my kids have watched it many times

Lots of water. When my children were young I was always recommended soaking in a hot bath after squeezing yourself a fresh glass of orange juice, and obviously drinking it. Never made use of it myself but apparently it is very affective.

Tbh that is the crux of the matter ... codeine . I’ve reduced to 16mg twice a day but can’t seem to get any further off the bloody stuff and wish I’d never started it . That’s a different thread I guess .

I’ve had a decent flask of diluting juice, and a pear ... feel v naouseous and bloated so reluctant to eat anything else tonight . Unfortunately live quite rural so no pharmacy open tomorrow - although Tesco certainly is so might give that a shot, see if they have anything at all .

Monday morning I’ll phone GP surgery see what they say about coming off the cocodamol altogether and if I can get a laxative or some sort .

Didn’t really look into the science behind fibre bars sadly - will also cut them right down !

Thanks so much for the help tonight though- has made me feel a bit less stressed about it at least !

Homemade lentil and veg soup

Homemade apple compote

A massive Starbucks filter coffee tomorrow morning

I am crying at that unicorn video, that’s absolutely brilliant

managed I’ve got a massive lentil based curry ready for lunch tomorrow (bbc spinach and chickpea curry) ... hopefully that gets something going ! Between that and plenty of fruit and water .. will keep trying !

First thing in the morning, twenty minute walk. Hot water bottle on your back 7 stomach for half an hour then take yourself off to the toilet with a small snack. Warm drink too if that's your thang.
Codeine queen here. Very seldom constipated unless I'm on a restricted diet.

How old are you and how much diarrhoea? Are you definitely constipated?- you can get overflow if very constipated but it is unusual in adults. I just wonder if you need to see your doctor to make sure nothing else is going on.