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.

You are doing the right thing seeing your doctor. Have a look at the Moo to Poo method, plenty online about it, it might help once you’ve got sorted out a bit.

I have had a similar problem. I had zero help from doctors who told me that it was anxiety

Eventually my stomach got so bad that I knew that if someone didn't help me that I was going to end up as an emergency admission to hospital with a perforated bowel. I was really scared and I had a hospital bag packed...

I eventually found out what was causing my symptoms. It was not at all easy to get treatment from my gp/the nhs. It was an extremely difficult time and I don't feel able to go into detail about what happened to me. But....

.....have you ever traveled to any countries outside of Europe that might have different food safety regulations/standards? Or swam in lakes or been bear foot or eaten street food in those countries? Has your gp done a parasite test on your stool, but only on one sample (because the chances of identifying anything is 1/3 so they need to do three samples!

I was so unwell for so long and got told I had anxiety.

@Embarrassingproblemhelp well done for posting and making the gp appointment.

Hopefully with all the helpful posts and knowledge that you are not alone with bowel problems you may feel easier talking to your gp. As a suggestion you could print out your posts from this thread and just get him/her to read it.

Best of luck.

If your skin is turning yellow you need to see a Dr.

They aren't bothered! My dermatologist noticed it, asked if I ate a lot of carrots, I said no. That was it!

Told GP, he said, hmm, yes you are a bit yellow. Put it in my notes. That's it!
Clearly isn't an issue.

All bloods are fine so 🤷🏼‍♀️