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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:
HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 11:14

I’ve just got home from the gp, she wasn’t concerned about impaction in the slightest. She has prescribed me laxido and told me to take 4-8 (I think I’ll take 6?) and some more suppositories. She examined me and said she couldn’t feel a hard stool but I didn’t ask whether she meant there was nothing there (although I can feel it so can’t be empty) or that the stool was now soft. She also said I now have piles which is a pain but not unexpected. She said to start these and if nothing by next week to come back.

OP posts:
Elliania · 15/08/2025 11:25

A tip with the Laxido; increase your water intake massively. I assume you know this but for anyone else, Laxido works by helping your colon absorb water to make the stool softer. This can make you a little dehydrated so increasing water not only helps them work better but helps keep you hydrated, especially in weather like this!

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 15/08/2025 11:28

HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 11:14

I’ve just got home from the gp, she wasn’t concerned about impaction in the slightest. She has prescribed me laxido and told me to take 4-8 (I think I’ll take 6?) and some more suppositories. She examined me and said she couldn’t feel a hard stool but I didn’t ask whether she meant there was nothing there (although I can feel it so can’t be empty) or that the stool was now soft. She also said I now have piles which is a pain but not unexpected. She said to start these and if nothing by next week to come back.

OP seriously.

GPs are rubbish with this.

She couldn't feel anything because the impacted stool is so high up now.

You need a proper enema. Buy a phosphate enema at the chemist's and either try to administer it yourself, or get a colleague to do so.

Once you pass the initial hard stools, you'll have several more movements, over a couple of hours, which will clear the lot.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

butterfly0404 · 15/08/2025 11:28

Take the 8, must be within 6 hours of each other, I take 2 sachets together in 200ml water. I"d also go hard on the prune juice, basically the whole carton.
I promise you you will have the cleanest colon in the universe.

This is my daily regime unfortunately but it does work.

zacsGranny · 15/08/2025 11:29

Another little tip - Laxido is more palatable made with chilled water.
Good luck OP - I've been there.

butterfly0404 · 15/08/2025 11:30

zacsGranny · 15/08/2025 11:29

Another little tip - Laxido is more palatable made with chilled water.
Good luck OP - I've been there.

Or with added fresh orange juice, it's almost pleasant 😋

Shizzlestix · 15/08/2025 11:37

HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 11:14

I’ve just got home from the gp, she wasn’t concerned about impaction in the slightest. She has prescribed me laxido and told me to take 4-8 (I think I’ll take 6?) and some more suppositories. She examined me and said she couldn’t feel a hard stool but I didn’t ask whether she meant there was nothing there (although I can feel it so can’t be empty) or that the stool was now soft. She also said I now have piles which is a pain but not unexpected. She said to start these and if nothing by next week to come back.

Next week, holy crap (!!) Hoping the suppositories work quickly!

Tigergirl80 · 15/08/2025 11:46

HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 11:14

I’ve just got home from the gp, she wasn’t concerned about impaction in the slightest. She has prescribed me laxido and told me to take 4-8 (I think I’ll take 6?) and some more suppositories. She examined me and said she couldn’t feel a hard stool but I didn’t ask whether she meant there was nothing there (although I can feel it so can’t be empty) or that the stool was now soft. She also said I now have piles which is a pain but not unexpected. She said to start these and if nothing by next week to come back.

I use both Pile suppositories and cream also makes it easier to go for a BM. It might look a strange colour but that’s just the suppository mixed with poo.

x2boys · 15/08/2025 11:50

HelpMeMelpHe · 15/08/2025 11:14

I’ve just got home from the gp, she wasn’t concerned about impaction in the slightest. She has prescribed me laxido and told me to take 4-8 (I think I’ll take 6?) and some more suppositories. She examined me and said she couldn’t feel a hard stool but I didn’t ask whether she meant there was nothing there (although I can feel it so can’t be empty) or that the stool was now soft. She also said I now have piles which is a pain but not unexpected. She said to start these and if nothing by next week to come back.

What type of suppositories has she given you?
Bisocodyl suppositories work really well for my son and he suffers with chronic constipation,.

Mrsbloggz · 15/08/2025 11:53

Have you tried an ordinary plain water enema OP?

montelbano · 15/08/2025 11:59

Mrsbloggz · 15/08/2025 11:53

Have you tried an ordinary plain water enema OP?

A plain water enema will have no effect on a mass of impacted hard faeces,

WellMaybeYouShouldntBeLivingHeeeeeeee · 15/08/2025 12:32

The GP sounds amazingly blasé about it 😕

Brunettesmorefun · 15/08/2025 12:36

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 15/08/2025 11:28

OP seriously.

GPs are rubbish with this.

She couldn't feel anything because the impacted stool is so high up now.

You need a proper enema. Buy a phosphate enema at the chemist's and either try to administer it yourself, or get a colleague to do so.

Once you pass the initial hard stools, you'll have several more movements, over a couple of hours, which will clear the lot.

Are you a doctor? I really feel that Op should follow her GP’s advice.

NaeRolls · 15/08/2025 12:37

It sounds awful, so sorry OP. I've struggled with constipation in the past (I'm hypothyroid) but never this badly.

Everyone's suggesting things that you've tried or it's too late for. At this stage of faecal impaction it needs serious medical intervention, I'd think. Don't let your GP fob you off.

It could be gastroparesis or something in your colon causing things to get stuck.

I'm not a nursing sister like you so apologies if you know all this already.

I just want to confirm that I think this is more serious now and that you need to advocate for yourself, don't worry about seeming rude or over the top - you deserve proper treatment.

I hope it's sorted soon.

Just to add that there is one thing you've left off your list which is actually a huge help to me -- exercise, I just walk briskly but running is even better. Obviously you can't do that now as you're in pain but just for future reference. My magic solution is fibre, water and exercise.

In fact, maybe you should go to emergency (I think it's called A&e in UK)

Good luck x

Gettingbysomehow · 15/08/2025 12:38

Let us know!! We are ridiculously invested in this now!!!

Fangisnotacoward · 15/08/2025 12:38

I was going to vouch for laxido, I was aiming for take 8 over 6 hours for an impaction, but things were resolved shall we say by sachet 6!

Hopefully that'll do the trick for you

Though I was on a wfh home that day, and appreciate you won't have that luxury if you are a community nurse.

Zov · 15/08/2025 12:44

Glad you got the Laxido @HelpMeMelpHe Having suffered something similar 5-6 years ago, I won't go into it why - I can tell you that they do work. You will be pooing for England by this time tomorrow. The Laxido will soften the stool, and much of it will exit your bowel within the next 24-36 hours.

As a pp said, suggesting an enema is pointless, because it's rock hard poo! Needs breaking down - and Laxido will do this. Amazing how severe constipation can make you feel so low and ill isn't it? Hope you poo soon!!!

x2boys · 15/08/2025 12:47

Zov · 15/08/2025 12:44

Glad you got the Laxido @HelpMeMelpHe Having suffered something similar 5-6 years ago, I won't go into it why - I can tell you that they do work. You will be pooing for England by this time tomorrow. The Laxido will soften the stool, and much of it will exit your bowel within the next 24-36 hours.

As a pp said, suggesting an enema is pointless, because it's rock hard poo! Needs breaking down - and Laxido will do this. Amazing how severe constipation can make you feel so low and ill isn't it? Hope you poo soon!!!

A proper enems is not useless, but at this stage it's better to tackle things from both ends .

Peaceisenough · 15/08/2025 12:47

Zov · 15/08/2025 12:44

Glad you got the Laxido @HelpMeMelpHe Having suffered something similar 5-6 years ago, I won't go into it why - I can tell you that they do work. You will be pooing for England by this time tomorrow. The Laxido will soften the stool, and much of it will exit your bowel within the next 24-36 hours.

As a pp said, suggesting an enema is pointless, because it's rock hard poo! Needs breaking down - and Laxido will do this. Amazing how severe constipation can make you feel so low and ill isn't it? Hope you poo soon!!!

It certainly made me consider what a sublime piece of machinery the human body is, that’s for sure,

NaeRolls · 15/08/2025 12:49

NaeRolls · 15/08/2025 12:37

It sounds awful, so sorry OP. I've struggled with constipation in the past (I'm hypothyroid) but never this badly.

Everyone's suggesting things that you've tried or it's too late for. At this stage of faecal impaction it needs serious medical intervention, I'd think. Don't let your GP fob you off.

It could be gastroparesis or something in your colon causing things to get stuck.

I'm not a nursing sister like you so apologies if you know all this already.

I just want to confirm that I think this is more serious now and that you need to advocate for yourself, don't worry about seeming rude or over the top - you deserve proper treatment.

I hope it's sorted soon.

Just to add that there is one thing you've left off your list which is actually a huge help to me -- exercise, I just walk briskly but running is even better. Obviously you can't do that now as you're in pain but just for future reference. My magic solution is fibre, water and exercise.

In fact, maybe you should go to emergency (I think it's called A&e in UK)

Good luck x

Sorry, I didn't read the whole thread.

I've never heard of Laxido but it sounds good, hope it works for you!

Shipshape1 · 15/08/2025 12:49

Prune juice lots of it. Dates are good too.
But you do get some stomach crampsthe relief was unreal.
Doctor said i couldn't leave the hospital after my c section until I had gone so I was knocking the prune juice back but the smell was absolutely vile when I did eventually go!

BlokeHereInPeace · 15/08/2025 12:56

Smoking always sets me off. I don't know why and I don't really smoke but if I have one, that's it, off to the loo. Hope that helps.

Mrsbloggz · 15/08/2025 12:59

BlokeHereInPeace · 15/08/2025 12:56

Smoking always sets me off. I don't know why and I don't really smoke but if I have one, that's it, off to the loo. Hope that helps.

A big fat line of coke used to work quite well for me.

skyeisthelimit · 15/08/2025 13:06

My doctor prescribes Laxido and it works, but it might take several sachets. Drink plenty of water and take as many sachets as you need,

NewBrightonEel · 15/08/2025 13:10

Peaceisenough · 14/08/2025 23:27

It won’t if it’s this far gone. The impaction has to manually helped.

I ended up like OP when having cancer treatment and it worked for me (I'd forgotten what the physio had said 23 years earlier)

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