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Original poster

mortified but need advice asap

12 replies

K4TE · 28/09/2006 14:54

so embarassed to ask this but do any of you know any ways of instantly relieving contipation. I know I need to drink more water and more fibre and am already doing so but I need to have a bowel movement very soon as am feeling extremely uncomfortable! thank u so much for any help!

OP posts:
anniediv · 28/09/2006 14:55

Go to the chemist and get either glycerin suppositories (you can buy over the counter) or get a prescription for an enema.

CountessDracula · 28/09/2006 14:55

senokot?

Or glycerine or is it glycerol suppositories from the chemist. I would take something to soften first like lacutulose or you might cause yourself an injury!

PrettyCandles · 28/09/2006 14:57

Anything taking by mouth will take a few hours to work. Get yourself glycerine suppositories and/or an enema. You don't need a prescription for an enema but I think you have to ask for it at the pharmacy counter.

Sympathies. Hope you feel better soon.

anniediv · 28/09/2006 14:57

CountessD in case you need this info yourself in future...the lactulose can sometimes take up to 3 days to have a softening effect.

Elibean · 28/09/2006 14:59

Lactulose, though not quite as immediate as glycerine suppositories, more effective in my experience. Its gentle, doesn't get into your system (just a bulking agent) and is the only thing that worked for me.

You can get it over the counter, and take 3-4 5ml spoonfulls straight away. According to my OB (am pregnant) you can take a lot more, quite safely, but wouldn't do so in one go!

Supps also work, but just a word of warning - if you are prone to piles, be careful. I have them when pregnant, and a glycerine supp. set off an attack that has now lasted a week

CountessDracula · 28/09/2006 15:01

thanks annie, I did know as dd has had constipation for ages. She uses movicol but it is prescription only. I was just worried that a suppository on its own could cause problems without softening

anniediv · 28/09/2006 15:02

CountessD...eek!

Original poster
K4TE · 28/09/2006 15:09

should have metioned also that am breastfeeding 7 week old ds, will all of these methods still be quite safe?

thank you for all the advice so far! x

OP posts:
Elibean · 28/09/2006 15:13

KT, used Lactulose a week after dd was born - no problem at all, fine in pregnancy or BFing. Ditto glycerine supps, they're even fine for babies apparently.

Good luck!

And I would second Countess's warning re softening

Elibean · 28/09/2006 15:13

Sorry....K4TE

lulumama · 28/09/2006 15:14

lots of dried figs, apricots and prunes...

PrettyCandles · 28/09/2006 15:22

The enema is also fine - I had to use one when ds was about 10 days old. You can tell the pharmacist what your circumstances are and he or she will give you an appropriate treatment. If you've been straining a lot and have a sore anus, then the enema may sting a little, but it won't harm you (again, from my own experience). And I was just recovering from giving birth to piles as well at the time, and I don't think that the treatment for the constipation made any difference to them.

Once you've got rid of this, though, it would be a good idea to take a small dose of lactulose for a week or so, along with drinkng more water and eating penty of fruit and veg, just to keep you going until your bowel settles down again.

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