Constipation- nothing works!

[Boxingshibes]

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?

Medical threads can be frustrating on MN but constipation threads are always mind-boggling. Somebody posts with severe constipation which medication is not touching, clear signs of needing swift medical intervention and people pile on with stories of sweets and prunes and pears and coffee and cigarettes and always accompanied by "trust me". No.

I hope you're sorted out soon op. Sounds utterly miserable. You did the right thing in seeking medical treatment.

@ShowOfHandstell me about it. It’s like an episode of House on this thread. Every bugger knows a cure.

Strange that @beready2025 was deleted last night. I read her post at the time and didn’t think it broke the guidelines.

And who would report it??!

ETA: just seen all her posts appear to be deleted on the DiL/MiL grad gift thread, too. Curiouser and curiouser.

I really hope you're being seen to now OP, so relieved you finally got real medical advice rather than a list of ridiculous home remedies from fuckwits on the Internet.

Hope you are okay OP? xx

Update- I'm back from hospital. Several enemas later I'm clear. Apparently if the last one hadn't worked it may have been surgery.
I don't think the dr believed me until we started the enemas as she didn't think I was in enough pain.
But back at home thankfully

Oh my, thank goodness!
Did they identify any underlying problem
OP? How are you feeling?

Thank goodness you went to hospital when you did!!

So glad for you!

So glad you got sorted, bet you feel a million times better.

I think we almost feel as much relief as you do (!)

Great news, @Boxingshibes - as per Soupyspoon, we share your relief!
I hope any follow-up with the GP, dietician, gastroenterologist (or whomever) goes smoothly & that there’s no underlying cause that can’t easily be resolved 💐

Did they give you any advice re management?
I suffer from constipation and am currently on medication which exacerbates it. The only thing that works for me is bisacodyl (tablets and/or suppositories). I have tried every other otc laxative available but bisacodyl wins every time. I also take psyllium husk daily with loads of water which helps.

@Herefordian I don’t know what you are taking but I take lactose twice a day every day and that works. If you are on medication speak to your GP or buy some on Amazon.

That poster's posts on the DIL/MIL graduation gift thread were definitely abusive and broke Mumsnet guidelines.

I'm so glad you went to hospital. It's the sort of thing you don't realise how serious it is until you experience it yourself. The pain alone for me was one of the worst I've ever had in my life.

I do wish people would read the thread though. Some of you are surely posting to take the mick. Strepsils and tinned pear for a bowel obstruction 🫤 so irresponsible.

So glad you are sorted now. I’ve found that I need to be extremely consistent with my habits to ensure I don’t get to this stage (had to do the Movicol disimpaction regime).

drink loads of water
increase fibre - chia seeds, other mixed seeds, lots of veg. For me, wheat makes me more constipated so whole meal bread etc doesn’t work
exercise, especially yoga squats and twists help to keep things moving along
gut health - yoghurt & kefir

if I get lax about paying attention to any of this I can go a whole week and then I’m in trouble again and it takes ages to get back on track

good luck!

Go to your GP to get this sorted out. You may need treatment in hospital. Good luck — constipation is horrible so you needdd to get it sorted as quickly as possible.

In future, I recommend drinking hot water — nothing in it, not even herbal tea — whenever you start feeling constipated, within the first few days without a bowel movement.

That's great news OP - did you weigh yourself Before and After? 😁