Urgent! What works for chronic constipation to the point I simply can't go?

[Pixiedust1973]

Not been to the toilet for over a week now. Got to the stage where I cannot eat. Nothing is working I have tried exlax chocolate, suppositories, laxido (8 sachets) & dulcalax pico pearles plus lots of water. The out of hours GP prescribed the pico pearles last night & I took them about 10 1/2 hours ago as well as the max dose of laxiod again & suppositories. Supposed to work within 6 to 12 hours, still nothing.. What else can I try? I don't want to spend Christmas day on the toilet or unable to eat. :(

[ggirl]

sorry xpost

[Mmmbacon]

Spring clean boost in a smoothie helps me, also rhubarb stew if you can get your hands on any, have also had to help things out here when very bad after pfb dd,

but think gp is best bet tomorrow

[ggirl]

sounds like enema is needed , you should be able to administer the microlax one yourself , if not community nurse may be able to do it for you...we do a lot of that

[notapizzaeater]

If you put your finger up your bits can you feel the poo there ?

[JugglingChaotically]

Strong (real) Coffee (3 large mugs! )and brisk walk worked for me.
When pregnant - dried apple rings, pints of coffee and a very short brisk walk - Witt sprint back to the loo.
Hadn't anticipated the speed of effect after a week!
Good luck.

[lougle]

This may be a stupid set of questions, but:

-You have no urge to go?
-Do you have pain?
-Do you have wind?

[SignoraStronza]

You poor thing. Must admit that the best cure for me was always strong black coffee, a good walk and a cigarette. Obviously, not helpful during pregnancy blockage though!
So, get your travel mug full of espresso and march to the local shop for some nicotine maybe?

[Pixiedust1973]

No wind really. Not in a huge amount of pain. Sort of goes on & off, gripey type pains when I have water or coffee. Just made myself 2 huge cups in a new melting bid. Cannot feel anything through next door (sorry tmi) I don't think it is low enough down. I think its compacted high up.

[TheJollyReindeer]

Really feel for you. I have a condition that renders my bowel parslised from time to time. What you describe is typical for me. I am the medical marvel that shocked Drs after a no show poo after 3 doses of picolax.

I would suggest Movicol. It works differently to Laxido and fybogel. It draws moisture to the bowel so softens the stools. It is often used for impaction. Read the box but I would suggest 4 sachets in 24 hours and see how you go. At the same time get some suppositories to soften the plug at the other end. Avoid eggs or any food that you know bungs you up
Excercise andyeven gentle tummy massage.

Firstly though I strongly suggest you see a Dr again tomorrow before trying the above. They can check for blockage and impaction and its better to see someone tomorrow than be trying to see a dr over Xmas.

[TheFirstToel]

Hot ribena was my standby when pg. jogging is also said to make you go. But if no luck by the morning I would insist on getting some proper help, hospital if necessary.

[Pixiedust1973]

Movicol & Laxido are pretty much the same thing. Same active ingredients, just cheaper to prescribe. I have had 8 sachets of laxido a day (maximum dose for impactation) for 2 days now & onto round 2 of pico in 15 minutes unless anything dramatic happens soon. Probably not supposed to take it for another 12 hours but need to try. Suppositories normally work great for me but its too high up so are doing nothing. Used almost entire pack of 12 in a day now. Ridiculous! No choice but GP unless a miracle happens it seems.. :(

[poopooheadwillyfatface]

YY sounds like a possible obstruction, if no change tomorrow ensure you get reviewed by the GP.

You can buy microlax enemas from the pharmacy. But if it's higher up they won't really help. I might add senna and plenty of fresh orange juice at this point or a dodgy curry I think you need to try tackling it from both ends and keep going with the laxatives until you've had a good clear out.

[ToffeePenny]

Liquid paraffin - softens everything and available from pharmacist.

[lougle]

I'm surprised you're not getting even faecal leakage after all of that. It does sound like you could have a blockage. good that the doctor heard bowel sounds, though, because paralytic ileus is no fun at all.

[Pixiedust1973]

The only small amount of liquid I had was from using suppositories & that was very small. Its very frustrating to have noises to indicate something is working for days but no results whatsoever. Taken 4 more pico pearles now, thats 8 in 12 hours. Not sure whether to have anymore of the laxido as yet or not. Want my bed really. So tired now with it all. :(

[LittleTulip]

If I was you I would go to a&e. You can't really try any more than you have. It's probably an obstruction of some sort that may just need a helping hand to 'unblock'.

Good luck

[madamginger]

You could try a fleet enema. You can buy them from a chemist, if not a microenema is another option.

[StUmbrageinSkelt]

You're way past all the folk remedies. The laxido will eventually work as long you are persistent with it and follow it up with the irritant pico pearls.

Do not DO NOT use any more fibre supplements or increase your fibre. You need to be on a low fibre diet as fibre will simply sit with the impaction and make it worse.

I think you need to be seen at A&E and need an xray and then a decision about an NG tube washout. It does work faster than the oral route.

Good luck.

[Pixiedust1973]

Thanks all. Got a gp appointment in half hour. Getting some watery stuff when I go to toilet now but still nothing substantial to indicate the block has gone. Am hoping to be sent for x ray. Its got really silly now. I feel so sick & I'm exhausted through lack of sleep & no food. Some Christmas this is going to be. To top it off we are supposed to be collecting my dad for Christmas who lives an hour & half away. My partner was going to go early but I need him to take me to gp & then hopefully to hospital after..

[Rosieliveson]

OP I'm so sorry. It sounds like you've tried everything I could suggest. I've managed to go after a whole huge bag of dried apricots and a warm bar. I sort of massaged by tummy in the bath and went a few hours later.

I really hope you can get sorted today and enjoy your Christmas

[IHaveSeenMyHat]

Good luck with the GP and I hope they take you very seriously. If not, there's always A&E.

[Pixiedust1973]

Been to the GP. He prescribed me some Micralax enemas. Said to use one & if it doesn't work in a couple of hours use another, if that doesn't work go to A & E. Used it about 15 minutes ago, only effect so far is a headache. :(

[LightsPlease]

Coconut water.

[gussiegrips]

Channelling my inner Maria:

"Aaaawlll I want for Christmas, is a pooooo-ooooo-ooo-ooo-ooooo, baby"

I shall think of your bowel every time I hear that song on the radio from now on.

Hope your bowel co-operates. Sounds horrific.

[Pixiedust1973]

Not thought of coconut water LightsPlease. LOL gussiegrips :) No luck as yet.. Had an urge but was mainly water. Probably the liquid from the enema. I think its similar to the suppositories ive tried & failed with already but just go in a little higher.