To ask for help! (TMI-poo!)

[DannyWallace]

Firstly, I just want to put out there that I'm not a troll. But I'm completely desperate as I'm getting nowhere here. So please, please don't take this post as a joke as I'm really struggling here.

Background-I had a baby 3 months ago. I'm EBF. Also, I have suffered with constipation/IBS over the years. I'm strict with my diet to help this.

I didn't have any issues opening my bowels after having DD. These problems started about 2 months ago.
I can't remember what came first-the constipation or the pain/bleeding.

3 different doctors told me (without any examination) that it must be piles. The blood down the toilet when I poo'd looked like the middle of my period (the bleeding wasn't persistent though-only when I opened my bowels). I was encouraged to drink plenty water, carry on with laxatives (I have lactulose and laxido) and make sure I was eating a good diet-I've done all of these.

Finally around 10 days ago a GP did an examination and it looks like the pain/bleeding is due to a cut-no piles. And the cut is likely caused by constipation. So I've increased the laxatives (30mls of lactulose twice a day and 2 sachets of laxido) but I'm still only going 3 times a week (instead of my usual daily) and it's so so painful as I really have to strain. I'm in tears after and I can't sit comfortably for about an hour after I go. The bleeding isn't as bad as it was a few weeks ago, but it is all still so so painful.

After that hour or so, I have no pain again until I have to open my bowels again.

Does anyone have any suggestions what I can do to make this easier? I'm going to go back to the GP next week. Should I take more laxatives? Or less (I know some bulk!)

Help! And please be nice.

I prefer fybogel myself - keeps things soft and regular.

Also, there’s a topical anesthetic you can get otc - Lignocaine? 🤔

Anyway, you can ‘flood’ your rectum with it before opening your bowel.

Oh my god some kind of anaesthetic would be amazing.
There's a cream apparently but it's not suitable to use when breastfeeding. I've previously used movicol but they seem hesitant to prescribe it.

It sounds awful but I would do anything for a bout of diarrhoea just so I don't have to strain!

Sounds horrible for you. constipation is horrible. The stool softners you are taking just draw liquid into your poo to softener it. The more you can drink the better. Also fibre is your friend here plenty of fruit. It might be that you still have quite a blockage and what you are passing is just what can get past it. Senna is a medication that will help your bowels move things along once they are softened (not sure if this can be brought over the counter). Hope this helps, my daughter was hospitalised with constipation post op so I know it can sneak up on you if you don’t keep on top of it xx

I have this ongoing since my ds birth. He's 3 now! I am told I have a fissure. I tore whilst being constipated when I was pregnant. My bum bleeds nearly everytime I go poo.
I saw a specialist who recommended a cream, rectogesic. Its encourages the blood flow to heal the tear. But I have chosen not to use it as the side effects are monstrous headaches with every use. Im prone to migraines and I was essentially told to manage the pain.
Could it be you having a fissure too?

Erm... if you eat a lot of artificial sweeteners you’ll get diarrhoea.

I discovered this on a low carb diet after eating two packs of sugar free polos on the trot.

You could try this...

www.lovehoney.co.uk/product.cfm?p=32746&fo_c=24&fo_k=609a680d81a48249373061825de329e2&fo_s=webgains&wgu=12161_196673_15581237808351_f5aef412cb&wgexpiry=1565899780&utm_source=Webgains&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=196673&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.redbrain.shop%2F

Magnesium Glycinate (can buy from Amazon) will help. Better for you than 'Milk of Magnesia' which is an old fashioned version and we are (nearly) all deficient in Magnesium anyway. (google it for more info rather than take my word)
And
A natural way of bulking; sprinkle linseed on your cereal, sandwich, soup whatever. This is roughage but it is also 'slippy' roughage.

Anal fissure is bloody painful - your body is scared it will hurt - leads to reluctance - leads to further issues

Are you allowed glycerin suppositories while breastfeeding?
They really help things exit for me.

Yes they think it's a fissure.
I've had a very small one before, but never to this extent.
I'm in absolute bits.
I'm on all the water/fruit now (and I'll look into senna)

I think I'll buy some artificial sweetened stuff too! Hey, it can't do any harm!

I'm also have a bit of caffeine every day as that usually helps (not loads though due to BF) but nothing.

Thanks for all the replies!!

@jay55 I asked for those as they have worked for me before, but the doctor seemed really reluctant to give them. She says only if nothing else works. I'm not sure if it's due to price, or if it's because they're not suitable or something, but I'll ask again next week.

Omg, is it wrong that the numbing fisting cream just looks like heaven right now?!! I would actually consider that!

Second vote for glycerine for a sore bum. Kinda makes things more greasy and easier to pass. Also, Aldi do some sugar free sweets in boxes.usually by the till. Christ on a bike, they make it come out loose!

@Hecateh thank you!! I'll give them a go!!

God you poor thing

I know it's not healthy but have you tried chip shop fish and chips - the grease in the batter always gives me diarrhoea

Oh and you can buy glycerine suppositories over the counter.

Black Forest Tea. Not sure if it’s only available in South Africa but it’s marve stuff.

It’s the absolute pits. I have had a small fissure that comes and goes whilst pregnant this time so I can’t even imagine how painful a larger one must be. I have nothing to add to medication recommendations etc, but what I will say to you (and anyone else in a similar position) is look up the Breastfeeding Network. It’s run by a chemist/pharmacologist called Wendy and she knows all there is to know about what medications you can and can’t take whilst breastfeeding. Sadly doctors and nurses (and a lot of pharmacists!) are often not up to date on the current recommendations so tend to state that you can’t use things when there is no evidence at all that anything harmful will pass to your baby via your milk. I have heard of numerous women told that they can’t take various things by various doctors but it’s just that their knowledge isn’t up to date.

Op I struggled with chronic constipation after the birth of my baby and no amount of medication from the doctors worked. Dried prunes were my saviour!

Get a squatty potty

I have an on and off fissure I've just got 10 years and can't use they numbing cream like a pp.

The only things that help me are taking 4x movicol a day to make things so soft, gives gurgly windy tum but better than pain. Or alcohol, gives me the squits.

Mainly the movicol and carry on with it for ages after you think you need it to make sure your fully healed. Taper it down to give your sweet spot dude, enough to keep things moving but soft.

Obviously you should ask for this via your gp so they can check your ok for it.

I'm sure you can but glycerine suppositories over the counter. My daughter has chronic constipation and sometimes they are the only thing that works!

OP, you can buy senna from your local chemist. Hope you're better soon x

Movicol is otc for adults and pharmacist should be able to tell you if it's a good idea or not.

Thank you all!
Tomorrow I'll get those from the pharmacy (as well as sweeties, prunes and possible chippy chips).

Thank you all so much for the advice.
I hope to god this isn't something I have for years. I honestly can't stand the pain much longer.

Just checked and boots sell them.

www.boots.com/boots-constipation-relief-12-suppositories-10006837

There is a group on Facebook called the breastfeeding network drugs in breast milk information service. Like their page and ask/email. But honestly I'm sure glycerin will be fine it's just a softener x

Have you tried some prune juice? It tastes fruity... I imagined it would taste awful, but it didn't. Shot glasses of prune juice every couple of hours and loads of water. Get your position on the loo right (knees up, use a stool for your feet) and yy to glycerin suppositories.

You poor thing, failing all the great advice youve had absolutely go back and get the GPS to help. Every bloody week if needed!