Advice for helping my unwell son with constipation before GP appointment

[NeedAPoonami]

My son has come back home this weekend from Uni as he is unwell.

He has had abdominal pain, and hasn’t been for a poo in 2 days. He went to A&E where they did blood tests and examined him and found nothing. They did say he should get an ultrasound and he’s got a GP appointment on Monday.

He has come home and still has abdominal pain, and it is moving about from abdomen to pelvis. Monday is a long way off and quite frankly I think he could massively benefit from a big bowel movement.

He bought some laxatives from the chemist and took them. Said he hadn’t eaten, and then had some toast and fruit. He’s had a warm bath.

Any suggestions to help a bowel movement.

TBH, he has always had a sensitive stomach. During his A’levels he ate a frozen pizza and was violently ill. My DH is like this.

I’m really worried about him, but feel reassured A&E said they could find nothing! He has no temperature, and not been sick.

Since starting Uni he has eaten crap, ordered in regularly, drunk loads and started smoking whereas before that he had a very healthy diet at home.

Any suggestions? Of course I am keeping an eye on him and any vomiting or temperature I’m going to A&E.

Lots and lots of water. And plenty of fibre. Like at least 20g working up to 30g per day. Fibre won’t really work without the water though. Chia seeds and linseeds are good. Kiwi fruit.

Definitely lots of water. Some find apple juice, prunes & liquorice helpful too. Peppermint tea can help with with windy pain. Buscopan helpful for cramps. Some of the laxatives can give you abdo pain.

Whole kiwi: including the skin. Prunes, melon, any fruit containing juice (pineapple, oranges). Wholemeal bread, veg, chickpeas, brown rice....

For now - can you get a glycerin suppository?

Prune juice although is two days really an issue for A&E?

How often does he expect to go?

Lots of water and keep taking the laxatives.

Prunes are brilliant because they both soften the stool and stimulate the peristaltic action to push the poo down the colon and out. I find them much much more effective than any medication. I thought I would hate them based on memories of tinned prunes from childhood but the ones you can buy in bags taste much more like wine gums! They are far better than any other dried fruit for this by the way. He should only need 4 or 5 today to go tomorrow morning.

I have heard that whole unpeeled kiwi fruit is also good but haven’t tried this

Prunes. 500g bag.

Lactulose. 30 ml x2 a day.

Stay near the loo.

He’s not taken the laxatives he bought?

I occasionally suffer from constipation and prune juice (& water) works for me.

Another vote for prunes or prune juice.
I don't think two days is excessively long.

Get movicol and do a shock dose - i think its 8. Sachets.

pineapple and kiwi will irritate his bowel too.

also physillum husk - a tablespoon mixed with cold pressed juice , left in the fridge for 20 mins or so it will form a jelly like consistency. Eating this everyday is great for bowel health.

2 kiwi fruits a day and fybojel is good plus plenty of water

Is he farting?

Not having a poo for 2 days doesn’t always equal constipation as it can still be considered within normal parameters.

Could be gas, IBS, IBD - by taking laxatives he could be irritating his bowel. Increasing fibre suddenly can also cause discomfort. Gentle walking, staying hydrated and easily digested foods may help instead.

no

Warm orange juice is what was recommended by our GP when I went in for my baby.

Weetabix with a baby prune pouch helps my boys go. Plus plenty of water. Glycerine suppositories also helped me when I was pregnant. I hate to ask, but can he feel something there? Suppositories will only help soften if there’s something at the exit waiting to go but they do work.

I’d do Movicol as a last resort just because in my experience it’s been pretty brutal but it really does work.

He’s got Movicol. He’s taken 2 today, but nothing yet.

Movicol/laxido is the most effective laxative you can get over the counter. But I’m a bit concerned that if he isn’t passing wind it may not just be constipation.

Dulcolax before bed
it takes a few hours to work
should work in the morning

I'd also say lots of water. Poor chap, hope he feels better soon.

Lactulose

Loads of water, loads of fibre, hot water bottle on his tummy and relax. He needs to let the muscles relax, so try not to get worked up or tense himself.

And prepare him for a week or so to feel better; it can leave you feeling uncomfortable for a few days after finally having a bowel movement.

Movicol. 2 isn’t enough. I’d keep taking that dose every few hours.

If he has got a blockage loading with fibre is not gonna be helpful so be careful