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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for constipation remedies? Urgent!

148 replies

BelloItalia · 02/04/2025 20:13

its getting me down, I’m completely unable to go to toilet. The only thing that works is dulcolax but that gives me a day of agonising diarrhoea.

I went to pharmacy, they suggested lactose- I’ve been taking it all week and nothing - I feel like I need to go but nothing is happening and I’ve been taking 30mls daily

Trying to avoid laxido as the taste makes me gag but is that literally the only thing left to try?

Prune juice used to work but not anymore 😭

OP posts:
Katemax82 · 02/04/2025 20:14

Increase the lactose and drink loads of water

Sunshineclouds11 · 02/04/2025 20:14

Hot fresh orange works for me

Frequency · 02/04/2025 20:14

Vodka.

It always works for me. Not always worth the hangover, however.

Lovegame · 02/04/2025 20:15

If you have had constipation for a long time then you will have stretched your bowl. Have a read of the ERIC website, it’s for kids but a bowel is a bowel and consider going to see your GP.

Fleur405 · 02/04/2025 20:15

Kiwi fruit!

Rainbowchicken · 02/04/2025 20:16

Movicol is what you need.

BunnyRuddington · 02/04/2025 20:16

Drink plenty of water.

Eat some water rich foods like melon, soup and strawberries.

Eat some liquorice.

WinterBones · 02/04/2025 20:16

a large bowl of fibreful muesli a few days a week usually gets things moving. if you're suffering regularly you need more fibre and more fluids

Whocanbelieveit · 02/04/2025 20:17

I take one teaspoon of olive oil every day and that seems to work within about a couple of hours. I have seen information suggesting a tablespoon but I don’t know how you would take that much in one go. I take a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil. Then drain a glass of water first thing in the morning then don’t eat anything for half an hour. Seems to work for me. The other thing that works is dried apricots.

Frowningprovidence · 02/04/2025 20:18

2 kiwi fruit a day, then when moving reduce to one

SophieJo · 02/04/2025 20:18

This was the last resort for me in hospital but it worked. You can get it from the chemist.

To ask for constipation remedies? Urgent!
WhyDidIDiddle · 02/04/2025 20:18

You may need to see a dr urgently depending on how long it has been or what the problem is.

A laxative or a suppository will only work if you are constipated in the lower bowel. If you have an obstruction or a more serious condition nothing will happen.

I would speak to your doctor urgently if it's about a week as your post implies.

greencola · 02/04/2025 20:19

magnesium citrate might help

imsosotired · 02/04/2025 20:19

Movicol

BlondeMummyto1 · 02/04/2025 20:19

Glycerine suppositories are great and will work very fast but I think you need to see the GP to find the cause and solution.

goingtotown · 02/04/2025 20:19

A large glass of prune juice every 4 hours.

ShhhItsJustMagic · 02/04/2025 20:19

Sauerkraut.

Especially on an empty stomach; it'll clear you out but comfortably so!

NoIcantDropthis · 02/04/2025 20:20

Laxido is the only thing that works for me I have to take 3 a day and it only works if taken all at the same time which is 360ml water 🤮 I can do it now in about 6 big gulps but it has to be with very cold water and I make sure no lumps at all and I have something straight after to get the taste to go away like a piece of chewing gum

MigGril · 02/04/2025 20:22

Magnisum very large dose. I'm on drugs that cause constipation, the only thing that keeps me regular is a large Magnisum supplement.

Magnisum citrate is the one recommended for the gut, 600mg daily.

MixedBananas · 02/04/2025 20:23

Prunes. You can start off with 4 them increase to 6 a day. Once cleared use as maintenance daily keep having 3 or 4 a day.

Castor oil is amazing and works within 4-6 hours.
Loads of water.

Use a foot stool as position is important. Take a hot bath. Place a hot water bottle.on tummy. Stay active walks help keep things moving.
You can do an abdominal Massage Inused it to IBS and fertility.

If you do all these steps you will never worry about it again.

WingsofRain · 02/04/2025 20:24

I add apple or orange juice to Laxido to mask the horrible taste, it’s the only thing I find works. Lactulose made me vomit.

Pippa12 · 02/04/2025 20:24

Have you tried combining lactulose and senna?

As stated previously it might be worth discussing this with your GP to rule out other causes if your bowel habits have changed.

Good luck!

Broccoliboat · 02/04/2025 20:25

Something that I find works surprisingly well when you want to go and it’s there but not shifting or too hard to come out is pressing a a baby wipe on your anus. It seems to stimulate it and gets it moving.

Atina321 · 02/04/2025 20:26

Prevention is better than cure, Holland & Barrett do a High Fibre capsule. I have to take iron supplement daily so take 3-4 high fibre capsules to help keep me regular. I am awaiting a colorectal appointment to get piles removed as passing stools is very painful currently so the thought of being constipated is scary!

UnctuousUnicorns · 02/04/2025 20:26

I agree that Laxido is minging, i first experienced the horror of it in hospital after my hip replacement surgery when a beaker of it in water was left for me to drink. By God, it was vile. After that, I found the only way I could tolerate it was to mix it into apple juice or strong squash then swallow it down mouthful by mouthful with my eyes closed and while holding my nose. It did work, though. Califig has also had results with me in the past.