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 !

You have an impaction. You need something like Laxido or Movicol asap. The dose for impaction is listed as 8 sachets a day to be taken within 6 hours, but medics in hospital advised its fine to take 12 sachets daily until success. Sometimes it can take a few days so would be cheaper to get it on prescription, but you can buy it OTC. I'd get started asap tbh. I have lots of experience of this issue as a chronic pain patient having been on codiene & tramadol for years. It is important to drink a lot of water with Laxido/Movicol btw.

I would have thought so (constipated) - it doesn’t seem like overflow, I get tummy cramps then diarrhoea for about 45 mins then everything stops for a few days again . Blood only on wiping ... I’m that constipated that (and this is an awful thing to say sorry) it bulges through to vaginal wall .

RE other stuff - I do have ‘mild’ adhesions secondary to what they thought was probably endometriosis (bowel to ovary on one side - can’t remember what bit, I think descending) and lots of bladder problems (urine retention) - but nothing else really of note .

A fag and coffee?! Seriously though a stool softener like lactulose is what you need.

Poor you. I always take Lactulose every day if I’m taking co-codamol.

Lots of good advice on here - esp Movicol, or ask the pharmacist for a Fleet enema which should definitely help.

One thing I read on here ages ago - if it is really bad, massage the back wall of your vagina - you’ll probably feel the bulge of what’s stuck & soften it up a bit. Very clean fingers & short fingernails a must 😀

Have you got any oranges or kiwis? They always work for me.

A very strong coffee.

It's overflow - that's a classic description.

You need Movicol everyday, don't stop just because you have 'been'.

Very few people can manage to go on codeine just by changing their diet, you need laxatives. And fibre like weetabix often makes it worse by just causing blockages.

Yep, agree - absolutely classic overflow. Don’t piss around with lactulose - I’d go straight to movicol or fybogel sachets and step up as required - as mentioned above you may need a full disimpaction regime - but follow the instructions. You can buy these over the counter. Lots and lots of water in the meantime. However I also absolutely agree that you also need a GP appointment - codeine or no codeine this is a significant change in bowel habit with accompanying bleeding - off to the docs with you!

If you can feel it through vagial wall it sounds like it might be heading towards an impaction - too big it can't come out. You need glycerol suppositories - from the chemist, pop them up your back passage and they kind of soften and lubricate everything. You would probably need to do it more than once. Also lactulose syrup can help keep everything soft. Speaking from experience unfortunately...

Drink plenty of plain water. Hot coffee/tea an help too.

As you have,nt been properly for days ,please ignore all the daft suggestions they won't be helpful and will probably make matter ,s worseI have a child with complex disabilities who also has chronic constipation you probably need medical advise tbh ,my son gets biscodyl suppositories on prescription,( I think you can buy them over the counter though ) and they do work for him but they do make him sick too.

And yes movicol is excellent but I would urge you to go to the GP and again ignore the silly suggestions if you haven't been properly for days ,s than strong coffee, kiwi,,prune juice etc is going to do nothing .,they may help when somone has,nt been for a day or two but will.do buggar all for impaction .

Poor you op

That unicorn video is fab 🤣

That unicorn vid is brilliant! Am I the only one who finds the knight strangely attractive?

I think you need to see a GP.

I react badly to lots of medication. The way I cope is:

1. water, drink regularly
2. food with extra fluids - melon, peas, clear soups
3. small high fibre snacks, do not overdo it. So, shredded wheat for breakfast, 6-8 almonds, satsumas
4. movement so walk, bounce, swim
5. raise your feet. Watch the squatty potty video, the laughter will help.
6. pay attention to your bowels, be in tune with them. Sounds odd but it helps to stop big problems like ending up in AE needing morphine and antibiotics.

Take care.

How are you getting on OP?