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 had a fissure several years ago, 2 years of extreme pain and bleeding. Mine seemed to be cured by a combination of an upset tummy while on holiday, followed by me taking magnesium supplements every day which made things softer and less painful and stopped the reluctance to go which had made the constipation worse.

Prunes!!

I get glycerin suppositories from Tesco pharmacies . They've been really useful to me as I've just had an op and am on high doses of morphine. Lactose doesn't do much but it does soften the stools a bit. The other day I passed what felt like a pine cone 😣 I also take dulcolax which works the morning after and senna... throw everything at it so to speak! I hope you find relief soon, it's no joke.

Sunsweet californian prune juice or
Otc movicol and
Glycerin suppository

Linseeds are good. Put your feet on a stool or raised, its a better position for you to poo in. You should get from docs on prescription some numbing ointment for inside your rectum. You want some of that and to use suppositories.

Oh and apricots and browning bananas.

Glycerin suppositories will be fine for a breastfeeding mum, when DS2 was three weeks old we got given a box.

Hi OP I don't know if this is helpful but after major abdominal surgery and days of epidural I had months of finding it difficult to go because I'd kind of got out of the habit I think. I saw a women's physio mainly for pelvic issues but she also helped with this which was advising to take time, raise feet on a small stool and consciously relax everything then afterwards pull yourself pelvis and all back up again. It only took a couple of weeks and it really helped. I think if you've experienced pain you kind of clench without knowing and then try to force which is of course counterproductive. I hope you get sorted. It's awful.

I don't know if Bisacodyl is suitable for breastfeeding but it's the only laxative I take. It is the mother of all laxatives though and you probably will have to breathe through the pain of going, but it will unclog you.

I have a fissure from something a r*y ex liked to do... As well as a few piles. Sometimes the fissure will open and the loo pan looks like I'm having a heavy period.

I only ever use the loo (at home) with a step stool, or anything I can raise my legs on (not at home) because it puts you in the correct pooping position.

Water, water, water.

And I was given an anal douche type thing for putting water up there, to try and help flush me out. It was amazing but the up-the-bum bits were one use only and they never gave me the rest. It was good while they lasted.

Prune juice, lots and lots of prune juice.

My DS has a very minor fissure as a baby and the HV recommended Vaseline on his bum - poo slid out and it healed v quickly after that

Thank you!!
I've woken up feeling rough and have just been a bit sick.
Not sure if it's linked but I'll try and get to boots ASAP.

@DannyWallace I think the problem could be that you are struggling to relax on the toilet because you know it is going to hurt. That can cause you to tighten the muscles in the opening to your bottom when you are trying to go, and so you end up kind of pushing/straining against yourself. Do you find that you are worrying about not being able to go when you are on the toilet?

OP, you have to get a Squatty Potty. I had issues due to pain medication and I had horrendous piles. The SP makes things so much easier. Please get one.

I was prescribed this to use following bad tearing after the birth of DS2. I used it about half an hour before I ‘went’ but it worked quicker when needed. It was a life saver.

www.clinimed.co.uk/urology-continence-care/products/urology-products/instillagel

I was bfing exclusively.

🤬 that they give this to men for catheter insertion but nothing for women and you’re suffering like this. 😰

@NearlySchoolTimeAgain @Andromeida59 thank you both, I'll have a look!

@rachb2019 yes. 100%. I think it's just hit me that's part of the issue too.

Unfortunately the pharmacist wouldn't give me suppositories as they say the need to be prescribed if BF. I've got all the dried fruit/normal fruit/prune juice etc.

Thank you all again.

Physiilum husk. Or I drink Purition protein shakes. Have a google. They have physiilum husk and a bunch of other seeds to help move things along.

Had this after my lb was born due to iron tablets and after months of pain was prescribed Sheriproct suppositries and Movicol which healed it. Did a second course too. Was fantastic.

I was ebf.

I take a spoonful of olive oil every morning and flax seed capsules. It has really helped. Even though I ate healthily I would often get constipated with dry stools and it would be really painful and sometimes bleed. So might be worth a try for you( olive oil on its own taste horrible though!)

Thank you all.
Today was the first day in weeks it wasn't completely solid (TMI) and although very painful it obviously passed more quickly.

I don't know if I'm being an idiot as I'm not taking my lactulose tonight though. My stomach has been cramping on and off all day and I think it's due to the amount of laxatives I'm taking. I'm going to try all the non-medicated ideas too (I will still take some lactulose in the morning though)

A squatting potty might help you. It could be a slight prolapse, which is like a kinked hose preventing things from exiting properly, as it were. Sitting on the toilet with your knees raised helps a lot.

If it’s the GTN cream, you can use it whilst breastfeeding. I did. I asked the Drugs in Breastmilk lady. I have her email if you’d like it. TBH the cream didn’t really work long time.

Drink double extra whilst breastfeeding. And push for Movicol. Get those stools looser. Also use a stool for your feet whilst you poo. Rub your tummy. Exercise a little if you can.

It’s a horrible pain xx

I had this - very nearly had surgery for the fissure as I was in such pain! Lots of water, prunes, green veg and wholemeal bread help. Go as soon as you feel the urge (not the easiest when you've got a baby). I found pressing some loo roll against where it hurt helped a bit as well. It took about 7 months before I started to feel better but I get all panicked now if I've not been for a couple of days.

Glycerin suppositories - you can normally just pick them up off the shelf in supermarkets and Superdrug etc.