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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Constipation- nothing works!

195 replies

Boxingshibes · 22/09/2025 16:28

I've been constipated for 20 days now!
I've been taking senokot for the last 12 days and Movacol twice daily for a week.
I even tried glycerine suppositories over the weekend.
Nothing!
What else can I do?
It's really uncomfortable and I have a pain in my side.
Aibu to this one of these should have worked?

OP posts:
HappyHunting101 · 22/09/2025 16:29

Milk of magnesia.

Zippidydoodah · 22/09/2025 16:30

20 days? Have you been to the doctor at all?

Boxingshibes · 22/09/2025 16:32

I haven't been to the dr. I was thinking about it over the weekend. Unfortunately I can't take any time off work so would be unable to go to the Dr's.

OP posts:
Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow · 22/09/2025 16:34

Eat a whole bag of sugar free sweets.
My friend swears by it.

BisAttack · 22/09/2025 16:35

You need to drink 8 sachets of movicol per day, as by now you'll be severely impacted. Nothing else will work when it gets to this stage. If no movement after the first day, repeat daily. Good luck!

Zippidydoodah · 22/09/2025 16:36

Has anything shifted at all? Like any tiny bits/loose stool? Is your bowel making noises? I’m not a doctor, but there’s a possibility you could have a blockage.

Redpeach · 22/09/2025 16:37

Exercise like running can help

Pearl97 · 22/09/2025 16:38

What @Zippidydoodah said. Are you passing anything?

survivingonredbullandhope · 22/09/2025 16:39

Honestly, trust me on this.
Go for a drive and get stuck in traffic somewhere, motorway if possible. As soon as I get stuck in traffic I instantly need to go its horrendous, as soon as i see the break light, i think here we go🤣
Jokes aside, I hear the sugar free sweets from aldi work wonders, eat the lot and stay close to the loo.
Good luck

Navigatinglife100 · 22/09/2025 16:39

Walking, light jogging. Backwards and forwards as you won't want to be far from a toilet, given what you've already taken, if it starts to move!

And when it does, don't strain. I did and got a fissure which was awful and took months to resolve.

Boxingshibes · 22/09/2025 16:42

Nothing is being passed. I have no urge!

OP posts:
x2boys · 22/09/2025 16:43

You need to go to the Dr's after 20 days you will be impacted, and it can be a medical emergency, don't listen to any suggestions of new food items/ drinks reception they won't help impaction.

x2boys · 22/09/2025 16:44

Whatareyoutalkingaboutnow · 22/09/2025 16:34

Eat a whole bag of sugar free sweets.
My friend swears by it.

That's not going to help impaction.

Enigma54 · 22/09/2025 16:46

20 days?? I think it’s time to see a medical professional, as you are probably impacted by now.

Have you tried the 8 sachets of movicol, with whatever amount of water is needed? Sugar free sweets, prunes, kiwi, pears, nuts, Dulcolax, apple juice, hot water and lemon?

CraftyNavySeal · 22/09/2025 16:47

Boxingshibes · 22/09/2025 16:32

I haven't been to the dr. I was thinking about it over the weekend. Unfortunately I can't take any time off work so would be unable to go to the Dr's.

Can you get a phone consultation?

You won’t be in work at all if you end up needing emergency surgery for a blockage.

Pearl97 · 22/09/2025 16:47

Nothing for twenty days ans no urge. You poor thing. This us awful for you.
you definitely need help.
111 now. They can offer out of hours xx

paisley256 · 22/09/2025 16:50

I'd be ordering these phosphate enemas from Amazon for short term relief whilst also drinking the Movicol. Incase of impaction I'd try and see gp too. Beem there so many times due to medication I'm on. Hope you get some relief ASAP.

Constipation- nothing works!
paisley256 · 22/09/2025 16:50

The image is a photo of the enemas on Amazon.

Fangisnotacoward · 22/09/2025 16:51

If you've not had a bowel movement for 20 days you need to see a GP.

However, if you cant grt to GP, can recommend laxido. You can get it over the counter, 8 sachets over 6 hours, does the job. But dont leave the house!

Enigma54 · 22/09/2025 16:52

Are you passing wind OP?
I have a cancer next to my bowel. I’m always told, no wind, abdominal pain and vomiting = bowel blockage. I would definitely ring 111 as suggested. Adding food (apologies) isn’t going to help in this case, I wouldn’t have thought.

thetooththewholetooth · 22/09/2025 16:53

You need to see your GP or practice nurse/ DN

MikeRafone · 22/09/2025 16:53

Prune juice
are you taking medication that would have constipation as a side effect?

your employer should be allowing you time for a telephone appointment at gp

Nevereatcardboard · 22/09/2025 16:54

You really need to see a doctor. Your health is more important than work at this stage.

butterfly0404 · 22/09/2025 16:54

A litre of prune juice, 8 sachets of laxido...take within 6 hours of each other. I promise you , you will go and will pray that it eventually stops.

20 days is far too long though without seeking medical intervention. This happened to me and I was hospitalised.

Changedforcontroversialpost · 22/09/2025 16:55

I suffer so badly with constipation and have done all my life. I went about 14 days recently and read about salty warm water - I don’t think it’s very good for you and I don’t want you to be poorly but it did help in that it gave me the urge. I have found that I have to sit on the toilet and do little thrusts over and over again for quite a while and then I have to contort my body so that I’m sort of slumped back and it forces the poo out (I’m sorry I know that’s gross but I’m guessing you’re desperate - I cried when I went after 14 days) because it had gotten so hard and compact I needed to sort of squash the poo in order for it to narrow enough to start coming out and slumping down and pushing did that.