Embarrassing problem (bowel related)

[Embarrassingproblemhelp]

I’ve never talked about this to anyone but I have been living with a problem for years and years. I guess it just became normal for me but I really think I need to start addressing the issue (I went away on holiday recently and it really impacted my trip) and I wondered if anyone had this same problem or could advise me where to start.

My problem is that I NEVER feel the need to go to the toilet (no2). Like ever. I get a horrible bloated tummy ache but it’s like the signal is just not reaching my bowel to release it. I can sometimes feel its close but it just won’t come out. I have to spend ages, up to an hour sat on the toilet to get the smallest amount out. Occasionally if I stand up after getting a small amount out, gravity will help and I can quickly sit back down and do more, but this is rare. And feels like a miracle when it happens. This has been going on for ages, 10 years plus, probably since childbirth so I wonder if I’ve been damaged in some way during labour.

I’ve been trying movicol incase I was constipated but I’m still not feeling the urge to go or finding it easy to get out. So I don’t think constipation is the issue. I exercise daily, eat well…I really think there is something not working right.

if I don’t do my daily sit on the toilet for ages to pass a small amount, I am in agony, look 6 months pregnant and get constipated because what I do pass becomes very dry where it’s been sat there for ages not coming out.

Im tempted to get a colonic but worrying if something is wrong inside it could make matters worse.

I have a doctors appt booked for a couple of weeks as I noticed that when I look down, I have a slight bulge on my right hand side of my tummy but this could just be my bowel. I still don’t know if I’m brave enough to go because I’ve heard a test for looking at this type of thing is being X rayed while attempting to go to the toilet. Which would be pointless for me as won’t happen.

I don’t even know how to start talking to a doctor about this…

I’ll post a pic of my tummy incase it gives any hints.

Some great advice on your thread @Embarrassingproblemhelp but whatever you do.......... dont take Senokot (or anything containing Senna) it can help but it also teaches your body that it needs it. So your body (that is already struggling to function) will ultimately find it even more difficult. Basically senna teaches the body to unlearn how to function normally.

I find figs/Calfig are extremely helpful. Also psyllium husk........... but I wouldnt reccommend psyllium given the state you are currently in. You need proper medical attention to find out what is going on. In the meantime Id stick with drinking lots of water (2 litres a day at least) and maybe a couple of dried figs a day. Prunes can help too (12 a day)

If you eat fibre but don't drink enough water, the poop will be harder to pass.

I understand that it's difficult to talk to your GP over something you feel very uncomfortable about, but you won't know what you're dealing with or what help there is unless you have that chat.

Thank you for the advice. Maybe the diarrhoea I’m experiencing is still not the main part that needs emptied. I will give the suppositories a go and the senokot. I’ve been slightly scared to take anything else that is going to make me need to go urgently as I have a very busy life and can’t really just sit around waiting for it to start happening! Maybe just need to shut myself away for a few days…

I will definitely try that thank you

Also........... I highly reccomend getting a squatty potty - poop like a unicorn! You can get them in the UK from here Squatty Potty Products - StressNoMore – StressNoMore

Great advice thank you. I want to be able to go to the doctor and say I’ve tried everything so will give it a go. And stay clear of senokot.

I was prescribed Senokot by an NHS Colo-rectal consultant.

A stimulant laxative is sometimes necessary. Until that point I had been reluctant to use senna because of what you say, but I was told that caution did not apply in the condition I was in. And I didn't take them long term, just to get over the worst, which is what I'm suggesting here.

I was told I could take them long term, twice a week if required. And she told me about the life-saving magic bullets that are glycerine suppositories, which I still use occasionally if needed.

Can I get the suppositories over the counter? Is there a specific brand you recommend?

Definitely avoid senokot honestly. Its literally addictive to a persons bowels.

Please keep us updated on how you get on. I suffer from awful constipation myself. Its The Worst Thing.

I suspect you've got an impaction....... and any diarrhea you get is basically bypassing that in its bid to escape.

I had a severe tear with my first child that has resulted in ten years of similar issues (not knowing I need to go until it's very late in the process; not being able to use those muscles properly etc.). Mine doesn't seem as bad as yours. I cannot believe you haven't had this investigated - there might be surgery you could have that could fix all your problems! Please, please start today. You are worth it.

Movicol and its friends (all similar but with different brand names) are great but you have to take them consistently for a result and then once you get results wean yourself off them slowly or you will literally grind to a halt (which is BAD really omg awful!) Yes you can buy them over the counter but what you really need is to be seen by a gp and then referred to the hospital for a CT scan and colonoscopy etc.

I also suffer with this sometimes. 10-15 prunes in porridge and 2.5L-3L of water a day works for me. The water is very important, and if I miss a drink it can start again. Also, finding a consistent time in the day to do it helps too.

Good luck.

My gut feeling is that this is all related to muscles or nerves being cut or damaged during childbirth, meaning I have no sensation there or the ability to move things myself, then I get impacted…
and then the anxiety and shyness about going to the toilet, which I’ve always had, has meant I’ve allowed for things to get this bad for so long. Thank you.

Yes it really is the worst. Can really affect your mood when you have something hurting and bugging you so much, especially when it’s something you don’t want to share with others.

Suppositories are over the counter, or here on Amazon.:

Care Glycerin Suppositories (Adult Sized) x 12 : Amazon.co.uk: Health & Personal Care

Re Senokot. I used it with extreme caution for years, then more regularly on the advice of my consultant, because it was absolutely necessary.

I did not get dependent. I never need it now.

So while I understand people advising against it, there is a difference between serious bowel issues like I had, and from the sounds of it what you are suffering OP, and the occasional constipation experienced by most people.

Do what you need to do to get over this immediate problem while you wait for a GP referral to a pelvic floor or colorectal specialist.

If you have a rectocele, then a foot stool/squatty potty wont help. You could try hovering just above the toilet in an almost seated position instead. You could also try a tool which you insert into the vagina when you want to go - this stops the stool from going into the rectocele.

A colorectal surgeon told me to take Dulco Ease and Dulco Lax whenever i needed to. They are safe and non-habit forming. Work out a dosing schedule - especially for holidays.

I wish I liked prunes or figs…I may have to give them another go seeing as I’m desperate. I will aim tomorrow to start drinking at least 2 litres.

I had a 3rd degree tear myself with my first child. So this is probably a common thing with damage to the area.

The worst is when I try and sleep and I can feel it. It is so uncomfortable.

I hope the doctor can help you.

https://amzn.eu/d/0lTXJyc

It's called Femeeze.

Also add Magnesium oxide to your diet. That was also prescribed for me.

None of us want colonoscopies but I’d really push for one, OP, not because I’m thinking ‘The Big C.’ Far from it. But you’ll get a clearer idea as to what’s going on. It’ll offer you a diagnosis and the way forward for a more concise treatment plan.

I was also going to suggest a pelvic ultrasound just to look at your ovaries, etc. I have struggled for years with significant bowel issues and was recently diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome- the cause of all of my issues. I was quite surprised but relieved to have an answer. It’s something to consider. It can cause all sorts of disruption with our bowel.

I have sometimes drunk prune juice. It's not very nice but it's easier to treat it like medicine than actual prunes.

Thats only the case if you havent gt issues with your pelvic floor or other muscle issues.

I will push for some investigations thank you. I was put off because I thought the first test they would do is to make me go to the toilet while x rayed or something but I know 10000% that there is no chance of me going to the toilet in that situation so would be mortifying and pointless. But I will explain that, if it’s suggested.

Thank you so much everyone for the suggestions, I already feel a bit more confident about potentially discussing this with my husband and the doctor.