Feeling so upset from medical advice, slightly graphic

[XForL]

I had a telephone consultation with a GP on Thursday because I have anal fissures that have returned but the Lactulose isn't working and I have so much impactation I just can't shift now for days. It's like the stuff itself is WIDER than my own bottom

It was a locum I spoke to

I explained that I was concerned because I simply couldn't go, but I have no urge to really push? It's absolutely disgusting, I'm sorry, but I have to push on the bottom of my vaginal wall to encourage anything out. But even that isn't working at the moment, and whatever is there is bulging into my vagina?!

He said constipation is common in pregnancy. When I said that I couldn't 'go' unaided with my fingers pushing down, he said he'd never heard of that before but to not do it! He gave me a lecture about it causing a UTI and that can be harmful for babies (I'm on iron tablets and a whole host of meds for extreme sickness, that coupled with not a great diet due to sickness means I'm very constipated anyway).

He said his advice was to up the dose of Lactulose and that should work. He said he doubts I'd need to call back as that should fix it

But I've done as he's said. And it's now Sunday and I feel like there's a head crowning. I'm sorry to be graphic again but whatever's there is far far larger than my bottom hole and I can't can't can't get it out. It feels horrendous. Plus every time I try my fissures are bleeding a lot and so sore

What should I do? Is he right or was he insensitive? My GP surgery is usually fantastic by the way!

If you do use glycerin suppositories OP it’s best to lie on your side to try to keep them in for at least 20 mins. You might feel like you need to go straight away, but they need time to work. I found lying on my side was the only way I could get comfortable enough to wait to let them work.

Oh you poor love Don't suffer, get yourself up a&e. There will have ways to sort this out. Even if you just get advice it could put your mind at rest. You aren't the first and won't be the last. Try not to panic...and stay as comfortable as possible. Nobody was ever broken in two by a massive poo...I don't think.....but I do feel your pain. Anal fissures are extremely painful.

Lots of good advice so far and I would also suggest the squatting position on the floor or in the bath.

The Western style toilet is not properly designed for the way that the human gut works. We evolved so that squatting is the easiest way to poo. There is even a stool that you can buy called something like the Squatty Potty. But just getting your knees up above your hips works.

Unfortunatley with anal fissures, no matter what you do it is going to hurt.

If you do go to A&E lovely, and they advise to manually extract.. you could always ask for some gas and air? It might just take the edge off whilst they do it!

I've not RTFT but just wanted to pass on my sympathies, I've had surgery for anal fissures twice now, worst pain I have ever felt.

There have been several deaths in the UK caused by impaction that was left for weeks. It is a risk with the elderly and people with learning disabilities who either don’t complain or have a toilet phobia.

@XForL

From what I've read, you can't take glycerin suppositories before 12 weeks

I didn’t realise that sorry OP. In that case I think you definitely need to ring 111 and insist they refer you to be seen tonight. Make sure they are aware how many days it’s been since you went. If that doesn’t work I’d go to A&E in your situation. I think the suggestion of gas and air was a good idea as well and some numbing cream

Hospital manager here. Ive known people to go to A&E with such issues. Believe me, they will sort it

Another vote for Glycerin Suppository but I’d phone 111 for urgent care and they may well suggest A&E. as if pregnancy wasn’t wank enough. Good luck.

Don't waste anymore time pudding about with lactulose, go to A&E

You need your title edited this is more than ' slightly 'graphic. Noone needs to read about breaking up a massive shit with their fingers at Sunday teatime

What a prick.

Sorry you're suffering like this op, i have nothing new to add that hasn't already been said i hope things get moving soon.

Try and put your knees up high. Smear a load of Vaseline inside 😬

See if you can ease some out little by little.

@Midnightballerina

You need your title edited this is more than ' slightly 'graphic. Noone needs to read about breaking up a massive shit with their fingers at Sunday teatime

Oh sod off, why did you click on it then 🙄

Another vote for going to A&E. Normally I'd say to have a rummage and try the glycerin suppositories, but given you are pregnant and have anal fissures, I think you would benefit from some proper assistance before things get worse.

You really need to go to A&E and have a proper enema. It won't be comfortable (speaking from experience) you will basically have to birth that poo out.

I was in a and e a few years ago in a cubicle next to me an old man was in a bad way with impaction following an exam he was whisked away for treatment very quickly

I've been to a&e before for this and was given an enema. They were lovely. Go. You'll feel much better.

Splinting is perfectly safe and better than straining (according to my women's physio anyway!).

If the poo is hard, large and very near your bottom hole then the suppository wont go in anyway, you wont be able to push it in, the hospital can see much better and help get it moving.

Update -

Thank you all so much!

I took some glycerin things, coconut piled the entire area best I could and then felt a strong urge. Bit like a very uncomfortable labour. So, I put my feet on my son's toddler chair and pushed from there.

It was out. Graphic warning again, but 'it' was a horrific size. To cut a lot story short, something felt like it had slid sideways halfway through pushing.

Cleaned myself up entirely, had a bath and it was full of blood, badly. Took a mirror to my bits and there is a cut from the anus to near my bottom cheek. What on earth have I done?!

DH has been having a good few drinks (it's his birthday. He's useless. It looks quite bad. I have put aloe Vera on a large maternity pad to soothe it and there is still a significant blood loss. Went to toilet again 20 mins ago and that's pretty much stopped now and just spotting blood

Word to the wise, maybe go to A&E in this situation

Aww I'm glad it's out but that sounds horrible. Go and get yourself checked out tomorrow please

You may have given yourself a tear, I would call 111 for their advise if you dont want to go to hospital, you need a proper plan to keep your bowels regular.

Oh you poor thing!! I hope you feel comfortable enough to get some proper sleep tonight and I hope the GP surgery can help tomorrow.
If I were you I’d take 4 sachets of your toddlers cosmicol tonight and get a prescription for Movicol or equivalent tomorrow. Toddler cosmicol/Movicol is just half the strength of the adult version.

Thank you

Think I might head up to hospital now. I've had a bath and everything, just gone to check (again), and it's now oozing orangey yellow gunk (sorry, tmi but it isn't poop)

So frustrating as I constantly feel so dizzy and weak anyway I have very difficult pregnancy sickness. I was even vomiting in labour with my son

That sounds absolutely horrendous. Hope you get some help.

Hospital op.