Laxatives have damaged my stomach? Help :(

[Belling1]

Last Thursday I took 2 DulcoEase and 2 CenLax as prescribed, for the first ever time, due to chronic constipation that I probably should have seen my GP about a long time ago.

I managed to have a bowel movement after taking them (3 days later mind!) but the medication has completely buggered up my digestive system.

I have constant stomach ache that varies in intensity but is always there and a serious amount of gas (both ends) which is adding to the stomach pain. Ive also had acid reflux and a bad taste in my mouth.

It isn't getting any better, surely this isn't normal from one dose of mild laxatives for all of this time? I'm beginning to think something is seriously wrong.

I didn't have any of this with my 'normal' constipation and seriously regret taking them.

Can anybody advise?

Is there any chance you’re impacted? You can have had a BM and still have a blockage.

That would be the best case scenario as I've frightened myself about all sorts of nasty ailments 😂

I used a glycerine suppository this morning just incase there was anything left but that produced nothing.

A blockage can be higher than the rectum though I assume?

I have some movicol I could take I'm just a bit apprehensive because of how much trouble I'm already having after one small dose of laxative.

I should say I’m not a doctor - just the mum of a DD with a long and difficult history of constipation (much better now, thank God).

But from what I know, you can certainly have blockages much higher up which can be very difficult to resolve. Google disimpaction and you’ll see the amount of time and medication that’s required - DD was four the last time she had a disimpaction and was on 8 sachets of Movicol a day, plus a stimulant laxative, for weeks. (This was in accordance with NICE guidance).

What you’re experiencing could be a reaction to the medication of course but it could also be that the dose you took sort of moved things around a bit but that you’ve still got an underlying problem.

If I were you, I’d get to the GP as soon as you can.

I’ve just re-read your OP. Do you mind me asking how long you were constipated before you went to the GP?

Thank you that's really helpful and entirely possible. I have dealt with constipation for 2+ years now (due to my medication, I believe) so it would make sense that a small amount of stool leaving my system after one dose of laxatives wouldn't fix it.

I was at my GP surgery on Monday and she prescribed me the suppositories and movical then (aswell as requesting stool samples) and said "you need to have a really good clear out" 🙈

I will bite the bullet and get started on the movicol tomorrow morning.

You have talked me down tonight so thank you for that. I have a complex medical history of some fairly serious stuff and as a result my mind always goes to the worst case scenario 🙈

I'm sorry to read about your DD's struggle with what sounds like a horrendous case of it. It's good to know she has improved. I wouldn't wish it on any of my children, bless her.

I’m so sorry for what you’ve gone through. It makes sense that you’d worry.

You might want to clarify with the GP what doseage she meant for a ‘really good clear out’ and for how long.

Another thing to mention is water - drinking lots was the big game changer for DD. Her specialist told me to get 1.2 litres into her a day when she was around 5, so that’ll give an you an idea of how much you need as a grown woman!

Thanks for the kind words about DD. It was a horrible time - so glad we’re through it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

You need to see your GP asap. You're probably impacted, and you may need stronger meds. I've had chronic constipation my almost my entire life, and I've been on laxatives since I was around 6 or 7 (over 20 years). I was very impacted for years, and the regular laxatives no longer work for me now. I deal with stomach aches often too, you'll find way of dealing with them. It's just seeing what works for you, tbh.

I've suffered from constipation and ulcerative colitis for most of my life. You definitely need to take the Movicol. The laxatives wouldn't have damaged your bowel. When I have a good empty out, I can be on the toilet for a good few hours. It's surprising just how much we can hold!

Just to add, the only thing that gets things moving for me is Dulcolax.

One of the best things to do - if you're physically able to - when this happens is to get walking as this works the muscles around the digestive system, and also the digestive system itself.

Plus, whilst getting back on track try eating a bit less so as not to overburden your system even more and, as a pp said - take plenty of water .!

Just to add, there's also a bug going around causing ongoing acid reflux, bad taste in mouth and upset stomach and aching legs. Myself and a few people I know all have same symptoms.

I have chronic constipation due to long term medication and Dulcolax gives you stomach cramps as it’s a stimulant to get things moving and I find cramps last even after I’ve had a BM.

I avoid now and take Movicol. 1-2 per day makes things move slowly along plus terrible wind. For those who recommend walking, I had a full BM recently after day 3 of walking 10 -12 miles a day!

Strong black coffee with brown sugar, never fails.

I’d advise seeing your GP ASAP to investigate impaction and if they don’t have an appt soon, get over to the MIU or A&E.

However, stomach pain and gas are very normal side effects from laxatives. I have an ED and have been taking them on and off for years and it just does hurt, make you feel mildly sick etc.

Because it resulted from constipation don’t take an anti diarrhoeal but see if it passes and supplement your electrolytes.

Thank you all for the helpful tips and advice. I'm having my first movicol of the day as I type and I've filled a 2ltr bottle of water with the aim of finishing it all over the course of the day. I'll get myself out for a long-ish walk with the buggy later on and see whether that helps things move a bit.

I've never experienced this before dispite the ongoing constipation, it's such an unsettling feeling having your body produce so much gas. As soon as I let some out it starts building up again.

RE a weird bug going around causing acid reflux and a bad taste - I may well have a touch of that too then. DS has got some type of cold virus at the minute 🤔

Well the movicol got things moving...

I can feel that there is definitely more to come but that's a good start! 😂

@Belling1 to help the laxatives along, try to eat a very bulky meal or even multiple cups of water at once can help (not too many). When your stomach is full and a bit stretched it makes your gut want to move waste along and out to make room, it’s called the gastro-colic reflex.

It sounds like you might have a bit of gastritis totally unrelated to the constipation

Thanks Cecil that's a good idea.

MeinKraft - does gastritis tend to cause alot of burping and flatulence? As in 24-7 gas? 🙈

I get constipation as a result of a drug I have to take (diltiazem) . I used to be prescribed lactulose daily but eventually I have learned to manage it with vast quantities of prunes diet.

Most laxatives cause gas.
I had gastritis this year (which is basically inflammtion of the stomach). The medication I was given for the gastritis (omeprazole)caused a lot of bloating and gas.

That's really interesting, so the omazeprole may well be adding to the gas problem for me..

I've been taking it sporadically for a few weeks as I needed something to help to protect my stomach from ferrous sulphate.

So I took 3 sachets of movicol yesterday and managed to have one bowel movement, but the gas and wind is still continuous (literally every minute of the day)

The thing that baffles me the most is, absolutely everything I eat and drink - from a cup of tea to a biscuit to a normal dinner, makes it worse.

Is that the norm with constipation? I've drank tea all of my life so don't think I'm suddenly lactose intolerant. I woke up this morning with only slight gas but then within minutes of having a cup of tea it's back with a vengeance.

I'm on the fence as to whether I should re try the original laxatives incase there's a blockage higher up that movicol is bypassing or something.

On the other hand, part of me wants to stop taking any sort of laxative and stool softeners as the amount of bloating, gas and associated pain is setting off my anxiety and making me think I have something seriously wrong with me 😔

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Disclaimer: this is not a qualified medical opinion but personal experience only.

I feel like when I’m constipated, the poop is hanging around in there so it makes a lot of gas? It might be worth trying a stronger laxative such as senna or biascodyl just to get through this phase.

I’m thinking twice about giving this advice because you can get addicted to/dependent on laxatives for stuff to work properly. You might need to speak to a doctor. Also keep putting a lot of high-volume food in, even lettuce etc, to try to keep things moving.

Thank you. That's what I've decided to do, I've taken 2 of my original laxatives (cenlax) which I think is the same as biascodyl? I had a big dinner last night (steak, rice + veg) and am drinking a ton of water.

I'm going to get back onto the doctors on Monday morning. They're quite good at getting you in within a reasonable time scale.