To be too embarrassed too see the GP

[sawbucks]

I have a problem.

For the past 6 weeks I have been severely constipated. Prior to this I was regular but historically there have been periods where I've only pooed once a week. When I say severe constipation I mean pebbles once every 3 days and twice an impaction that I did clear but the size was just
I also have internal piles. Every time I do go, it's painful pebbles and then painful piles.

I have tried:

• taking magnesium
• taking hemp seed oil
• eating chia seeds
• eating high fiber fruits such as pears and apples

-drinking coffee

• natural laxatives

Things work for 3-4 days then, even though I continue to eat/take supplements I get backed up again. I am drinking a minimum of 64oz of water and exercising 4 times a week with yoga an additional 2.

I'm too scared to go to the dr. Partly because I'm worried it's something serious and partly because it's too embarrassing. Should I be worried? What else can I change diet wise??

I told my GP I was embarrassed about piles 2 years ago and her reply was ‘50% of my day is often piles.’ They really don’t care about the butt thing, they just want to help!

My gran was too embarrassed to see a doctor. By the time she finally went she had terminal cancer. It might have been treatable if she’d gine earlier. Never be afraid to look after your health.

Why can't you use suppositories. I always have some in my bag if I'm away anywhere, can't bear to be constipated and flying or travelling a long journey can often end up in constipation.

Oh OP I really feel for you. I have terrible constipation which seems to be made worse by food intolerances (and, right now, pregnancy!).
I was prescribed movicol by GP which used to work for me, but 8 sachets a day still wasn't doing much this time. I then went to boots and spoke to a pharmacist and she recommended 30 mls lactulose twice a day for me. It took a few days to get things moving properly, and then everything seems to work quite well for a few weeks. During those few weeks I gradually cut down on lactulose. I then need to start taking it again if I flare up.
I know you'll have been told it a million times, but plenty of water, fiber and walking seems to help!
(Pre pregnancy my tip was to have a HUGE coffee and then take my dogs out for an hour walk....never failed to get things moving 😂😂).

Please dont be embarrassed/worried to see GP or a pharmacist. What your going through is so uncomfortable it'll make you feel a million times better to see someone xx

Having helped my mum through chronic constipation due to strong painkillers, is really recommend a shot of prune juice (it just tastes fruity) 3 times a day and a glycerine suppository. She wasn't keen on movicol/laxatives either and this worked a treat.
She too hated senokot or however you spell it.
Hope you get some relief soon.

Op I had to go to the doctors about severe pelvic prolapse and describe how I have to get poos out (it's very embarrassing). Then I had to be examined vaginally whilst holding a crying baby on my chest! She was super nice about it and ... well it's just the human body isn't it. The docs just want you to explain what's wrong in a matter of fact way, there's no need to be embarrassed - they've heard it all and worse before ! If it helps, write down what you want to say and just read it out. And it doesn't matter if you cry - they've seen all that before too!! X

@ivykaty44 walk in centres do not have the facilities to take bloods or x-rays. @sawbucks great that you're seeing your GP

I’ve suffered from constipation issues my whole life and have only gotten better since I’ve had kids who were constipated and learnt how to treat them. one of my kids has had severe constipation issues from birth and was on laxatives until age 5. He has no laxative dependence issues now however. Use the laxatives.

Water is absolutely important.

Chia and the fibre that dissolves in water can make things worse.
Use the laxatives, have a hot drink, put a heat bag on your back. Wait for a bit go to the toilet. Use a foot stool to make your knees slightly raised.

Have a couple of deep breathes make a ssss sound or a say moo as you exhale (don’t laugh, it absolutely works to activate the right muscles you don’t want to damage your pelvic floor by straining)

My mum takes 2 sennacok every night ,or she would be the same,you can buy it over the counter,but I think I've spelt it wrong

Rosebud neither do my gp - they send you to hospital for bloods and X-ray, but for op to turn up at A&E and bypass a general practitioner would in my view be irresponsible use of A&E thus I said a walk in

Try drinking freshly squeezed lemon juice - the juice of two lemons, diluted with water and with added sugar, at 5pm every single day will work wonders!

I'm 'laxative dependent'
Or put another way I need meds to move my bowel just like some people need med for their blood pressure or diabetes. It' a medical problem like any other. I can't imagine being uncomfortable for 6 weeks because I don't want to take medicine!!

I have a daily small dose of senna and a glycerine suppository every day... prescribed. Movicol if I get backed up. After 4 kids my bowels simply stopped working due to prolapses.

I'd suggest a glycerine suppository (any chemist..Boots do them otc) to start shifting the lower stuff. (have a hot drink and lie on your left side while it is in) and a few sachets of movicol to start softening the rest. And see a doctor.

You need at least 30 gms fibre a day from fruit, veg and whole cereals. One apple a pear and seeds doesn't reach that target.

Google 'daily fibre intake' for examples of what you should eat.

It will show something like 3 fruits, 3 portions veg, 2 portions brown rice or wholewheat cereal or pulses (lentils and beans).

PLUS 2 lts water to help swell all the fibre and get it moving along your gut.

You also need daily exercise- not just yoga- but brisk walking, to get things moving.

Are you drinking enough fluids? Eating loads of fibre without drinking enough can cause constipation.

@sawbucks - please remember after people's comments here about cancer - it's HIGHLY unlikely, constipation is such a common problem, deal with that first - you're clearly wound up about it, see the pharmacist as a pp suggested and they'll give you a plan to work towards. Also don't forget you'll need to work out timelines too on how long to take x drug etc for to get the results and the pharmacist can support you with that whilst you're waiting for your GP appointment
But honestly constipation is so very common, bowel cancer really isn't the first thing I'd think

Go to the GP. There was a patient on a my ward recently with faecal vomiting caused by severe constipation. Poor lady had dementia so hadn’t realised she hadn’t had her bowels open.
It was the worst thing I’ve seen happen to someone - basically because it couldn’t come out one end, it came out the other.

Well said flumpy

The pears and apples aren't helping. U need to be eating loads of oranges and satsumas. Eat like 6 satsumas a day and that should start to clear you out

See the doctor. It must be so common for them ours even has a laminated card on his desk so you can point at a picture to show what your poo looks like. No need to be embarrassed it’s only food that your body has chewed up. Even the queen will have sat on her warm royal throne, face screwed up desperately trying to squeeze one out then told Phillip, “one would give it 5minutes” after spraying a can of impulse round the room

I haven't RTFT OP but please don't be embarrassed. It took me 2 years to get the courage to go , I was in agony for 2 years! The Dr was so so nice and I left feeling totally foolish that I hadn't just got it done with sooner. And I feel so much better now.

You can't become addicted to stool softeners, but your bowel can start to rely on stimulant laxatives.

I think you need to increase the softeners (like movicol or lactulose) & fibre (like fybogel, satsumas, grapes) & fluid & take every day, then add in a stimulant (like senna) twice a week.

There isn't really a maximum dose for the softeners - keep increasing till you get the desired effect.

Once you are going easily, do not stop the softeners, but reduce to the minimum effective dose for at least 4-6 weeks. Keep on with the fibre & fluids.

Do not be embarrassed about seeing your GP - this is bread & butter to them.

Def need something like Movicol. My dd was on the paed version as a young child suffering. It really helped.

It sounds like you need movicol. I’ve supported people with bowel issues and i’ve a few myself. The doctors have been amazing every time. You must go OP it’s really important.

Just another thought. My lactose intolerance is atypical. Usually, it makes for very loose poo. But for me the problem is the exact opposite, everything grinds to a halt. Years of chronic and severe constipation disappeared when I went dairy-free.

YABU

I disagree with Flumpy personally, not because I think you have cancer but because it has been going on for so long and is so bad that I think having a GP documenting a plan for you will be a good thing. It is after all their job and they will have met hundreds of people with the same issues.

Or as someone else said embarrassing bodies now that's one I don't get, I value my patient confidentiality personally!