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Original poster

Constipation- someone PLEASE help me

600 replies

HelpMeMelpHe · 14/08/2025 20:12

I have been constipated for 7 days. That may not sound like a lot but I usually go 2/3 times a day without issue. I was away on holiday and ate crap food and basically survived on crisps and pizza as I was so hot I had no appetite.

I am currently lying on the bed in tears, I have tried:
orange juice
4 suppositories
3 x enemas
putting my feet up
relaxing
black coffee
a special vitamin tablet which DP says always makes him go
Drinking loads of water
pushing from inside my vagina
actually trying to manually remove the stool (sorry for the way TMI)
sitting in a warm bath
massaging my stomach
dulcolex

ill be ringing my GP first thing in the morning but can ANYONE suggest anything else. I’m in a total panic, I can just feel the rock hard stool, I’m in agony, shaking and it hurts to walk. To top it off I’m on my period which I hoped would get things going but nothing. Someone please help I am desperate and I’m worried my gp will just prescribe everything I’ve already tried. I’m a nurse and working all weekend and at this point I can’t see how I can go into work which would leave my team in the absolute shit (pardon the pun). I don’t know what to do 🫨🫨

OP posts:
rrrrrreatt · 15/08/2025 08:03

I haven’t read all the replies but try loads of dried apricots. They’re really high in fibre and have helped my husband before!

MrsDoubtfire1 · 15/08/2025 08:06

JustLookingThanks · 14/08/2025 22:48

You poor thing, Magnesium citrate helps your gut retain water so on going this is great, also kiwis are fab and getting you going, but sounds like you have a blockage and you need another suppository. Phone 111 and get advice. Also you need a lot more fibre in your diet, wholemeal bread with seeds, fruit with the skin on like plums and apples, nuts, beans, if you don't like beans Aldi sell pasta made out of beans and pulses. Make sure you have fruits and veggies with every meal and nuts for snacks, you'll have no problem then, finish off with a kiwi before bed as they help you sleep and help you stay regular won win.

Not so sure about the kiwi at bedtime. It needs to be eaten with something else and some water drunk with it. Plain kiwi can have some horrible effects.

Original poster
HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 08:07

Good morning! There was teeny tiny bit of movement this morning but nothing that’s got anything going, my GP opens at 8.30 so I’ll be straight on the phone to them. The stomach pain has eased off now which is good and I got a full nights sleep, I’ve also been trumping away like a trooper this morning!

I’ve taken another dulcolex, my abdomen isn’t swollen and isn’t tender to touch. Thank you so much for all of your messages of advice and support, constipation is no joke! I’ve read all the messages and seen a couple that question why a nurse would let myself get into this state? Just to address it, Monday/Tuesday felt ok and I was confident a couple of days of good diet, regular sleep/exercise and water (plus a suppository!) would get things moving. I’ve got 3 kids, work full time and felt relatively fine just a few cramps. Wednesday I started worrying a bit more and tried the enema, yesterday was when I became really uncomfortable and tried ALL of the desperate measures. Even nurses don’t take the best care of themselves at times, my patients are very well cared for though. The worry about being off work sick is a genuine worry, I know it shouldn’t be and it is not my problem if I am sick, staffing levels aren’t my concern but unfortunately, the guilt will always set in!

I’ll update once I’ve been to the gp

OP posts:

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Didibluex · 15/08/2025 08:07

4 STIMULANT dulcolax at once. I literally did this yesterday after not going for almost a week.

It’s a double dose and will give you bad stomach cramps. I was on the toilet most of the night but the relief when it comes out is amazing. I woke up feeling like a new woman. 😂

The standard dose of two tablets doesn’t help me at all. I used to always get constipation and tried everything. 4 dulcolax is the only thing that helps. Used it after all abdominal surgeries or c sections I’ve had and it’s never failed me!

user482904 · 15/08/2025 08:10

Dieters tea (in a green box from amazon) its the strongest laxative I've ever used. You'll be on the loo all day

WickWood · 15/08/2025 08:11

I hope you get sorted! Although you've reminded me of my after labour poo with the digging etc, absolutely horrendous 😂

PinchOfVom · 15/08/2025 08:12

I know you have your period so this isn’t an option

But my son used to have terrible problems - he was autistic and didn’t eat. Once or twice I had to do this :

if you feel like it’s at the very end and need to come out, you press the perineum HARD upwards and the turd will fly out. It’s a definite last resort but my crying toddler didn’t even notice because he was so distraught. I had to do it to myself a few weeks ago, it definitely works!

unconditionalpurelove · 15/08/2025 08:14

Strong tea and exercise. Good luck.

Shmoigel · 15/08/2025 08:23

Try Lactulose and senna tablets together. Thats the only thing that blasts mine

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 15/08/2025 08:25

Hope the GP is helpful.

endofthelinefinally · 15/08/2025 08:26

rrrrrreatt · 15/08/2025 08:03

I haven’t read all the replies but try loads of dried apricots. They’re really high in fibre and have helped my husband before!

Dont add more fibre to a blockage! Soften and get rid of the blockage first.
All the movicol, stool softeners and osmotic products are good.
I hope the gp is helpful OP.

TattyHatty · 15/08/2025 08:30

Does it happen to you often? I used to suffer from horrendous period constipation but have found taking high dose Magnesium Citrate at night will clear me out in the morning. Now I take one once a month to keep me feeling flushed

KellySeveride · 15/08/2025 08:31

It took 8 sachets of movicol in 2 litres of water when I was impacted after surgery (oxycodone 😕). But it worked. I’d been on dulcoease and taking senna but they hadn’t done a damn thing.

Autumnsprings · 15/08/2025 08:33

Drink 2 tablespoons of olive oil with a bowl of natural yougurt. Canned prunes are great too. Drink plenty of water. Over the counter sachets take ages to work.

Slightyamusedandsilly · 15/08/2025 08:37

For future reference, prune juice is your friend. It's high in sorbitol which sort of 'melts' a clog. Two big glasses will work within 2 and 8 hours. BUT you have to be able to be near a loo, so drink it at night.

I've used it post chemo induced constipation and it even blasts its way through drug solid poo. And no drugs needed.

User155 · 15/08/2025 08:37

A green apple.

Topsyturvy78 · 15/08/2025 08:39

Prunes or prune juice always works for me. Just don't have too many they're like dinamite. Drinking plain boiled water as well especially first thing in the morning and with food is good for getting things moving.

Fran2023 · 15/08/2025 08:42

The only thing that keeps on top of my chronic constipation (suffered my whole life) is senna at night and a glycerin suppository at the same time every day. I also eat a high fibre diet and a lot of fresh fruit.
I had no idea that it was possible to poo (healthy shape, colour size) so much everyday…

Slightyamusedandsilly · 15/08/2025 08:47

Topsyturvy78 · 15/08/2025 08:39

Prunes or prune juice always works for me. Just don't have too many they're like dinamite. Drinking plain boiled water as well especially first thing in the morning and with food is good for getting things moving.

I agree. Without getting graphic after the initial clog moves it's a very... liquid experience!

MikeRafone · 15/08/2025 08:50

I noticed that constipation needs to be treated for a lot longer, people poop eventually and then stop taking the medicine. They think ah its worked and stop - its better to continue with something for a while rather than stop starting

828Pax · 15/08/2025 08:51

The only thing that helped me was (and sorry TMI!) but put some Vaseline on my fingers and then use your fingers in a scissor cutting motion to break up the stool. Hideous I know but the desperation calls for it!

MikeRafone · 15/08/2025 08:51

drinking a glass of prune juice each day will help, or eating 5 prunes at breakfast and dinner - but in my opinion the prune juice is better

Avocadohoho · 15/08/2025 08:59

Movicol is considered the gold standard for constipation. Hope you can get into the GP, I remember being constipated after giving birth and it was horrendous.

Tigergirl80 · 15/08/2025 09:03

And stop sitting on the toilet so much to try and go. Wait until you’re absolutely busting for a wee. You can’t have a poo without doing a wee.

snowmichael · 15/08/2025 09:05

Which laxatives gave you tried?
Some people get no result from Senna, but find three days of Dulcolax at bed time shift things, others are the opposite

As others have said, drink LOTS more water than normal, also things like ice cream, fatty soup (like oxtail), and an extra slice of wholegrain bread can help

Cutting out anything with calcium - eggs, fish, milk - for a few days can sometimes help