Constipation help please!

[JBJ]

I’ve struggled a bit with constipation for a few months; usually made better with a fibre supplement. However, I had a gallbladder removal 3 days ago (haven’t had a poo since last Thursday) along with a dose of Fentanyl, and I’m so bunged up it’s painful. I’ve had senna every night - given to me by the hospital - an extra dose of dulcolax last night and have, this afternoon, resorted to trying a glycerine suppository, which has done absolutely nothing! It feels like I’m trying to pass a tennis ball 😩

Any suggestions/ideas? I’m back at hospital tomorrow to have a drain removed, so I’ll ask for help there, but would love a bit of relief in the meantime!

Thanks :)

I had a similar issue not long after my gallbladder removal. I ended up being given an enema which worked finally.

The rapid change in how your bowels function plus the constipating effects of the painkillers and anaesthetics really do mess you up.

It’s awful isn’t it? Feel like I may explode at any point!

It's agony. Movicol. Drink many sachets of it over several hours. It's the only one I've known to help to break down the blockage.

Ooh I think I have movicol. Never actually tried it but I’m going to dig it out now. Prepared to try anything right now!

OP, I had this same issue with my Mum and was told (after the fact) that Senna is a Stimulant laxative (and these can cause cramping pain) whereas Movicol is a Osmotic Laxative (meaning it draws water into the bowel, and so softens the stool).
my Mum found Movicol and glasses and glasses of water, worked after about 36 hours (she was four days on Senna, which she felt was a useless product for her).

Please ring your surgical ward or GP before doing anything drastic.

Movicol works but takes time. In your case I’d suggest 4 doses for 2 days and if no improvement move to 5. Because it takes time to work it’s easy to overdose so just be careful. Drink loads of water as it needs it to work.

I had my gallbladder out last August. On the day of the op, I went several times, so I wasn’t that worried that I didn’t go for a few days after. I did come home with Movicol and had a phone call from the hospital 3 days after, one question was had I opened my bowels, I said no and if I hadn’t gone by the next day I would take the medication, I did go on the 4th day. I hope you get some relief soon.

I had the same recently and it was awful
I did a second suppository which thankfully worked or it would have been hospital for me. I looked to buy an enema but no pharmacy had them. Maybe a larger one would of.

Right, I’ve had a dose of movicol, so hopefully that starts to help things move along a bit. I’m at the hospital tomorrow anyway having a drain removed, so I’ll ask for some help if things are still the same.

Mix two packs of Movicol in warm water then mix with prune juice in a large glass so it’s half and half.

A prune cocktail 🍹

I have no prune juice unfortunately and can’t drive at the minute to go and get any!

Well, I’ve had a lot of gurgling, an overwhelming urge to run to the loo several times and a little bit of very loose stool, but still what feels like a solid lump which isn’t moving (sorry TMI!). It’s going to be a fun night as I’ve spent the best part of the last hour sat on the loo 😩

Sorry this is gross but try giving yourself a bit of a massage (be firm) around that area - if you feel that tennis ball like feeling, there’s probably a big ball of poo that might even feel like it’s bulging as you strain. Massage around that area to see if you can squidge it down a bit. Failing that I have on occasion resorted to sticking a finger up and waggling it around to break it up. I recommend a glove to avoid your fingers stinking! I know it’s gross but I’ve been in your position and a few years ago was hospitalised with faecal impaction and that’s what a nurse ended up doing for me. I know which I’d rather happen…

Yeah I’ll have to resort to that I think as it does feel like a ball that’s stuck. Not super flexible at the minute though due to my surgery incisions and a drain bag, so should add to the fun 😩🤣

Prunes. They are not known as ‘little black workers’ for nothing. They come in a tin and work marvellously well.

I haven’t got any or easy access to a shop at the minute as I’m not able to drive. I can’t imagine prunes will be stronger than the multiple laxatives and glycerin suppository that I’ve taken so far, but willing to give anything a go! I’ll see if I can get some tomorrow.

Be careful! Straining probably isn’t good after surgery either, but go easy!

I’m really not straining, my body is desperate to go but nothing is happening!

Any movement?

No. I’ve just spoken to the ward I was discharged from and they’ve said if I get pain or stop passing wind, I need to go to A&E (20 hour wait currently!) or ring 111for advice. Just done the online 111 thing and it just says to contact my GP tomorrow.

Fresh pineapple does the trick for me

You could be dehydrated, drinking hot drinks should help.

Dulcoease helps me more than Movicol. It's much gentler than the stimulant Dulcolax but very effective.

I’m honestly drinking loads. Had about 2.5l of water so far today, plus 3 peppermint teas, as also got gas pain from the surgery.

Managed to manually remove a bit. Not the nicest experience and I’m hurting a lot on my stomach so not the easiest thing to actually do! Still not enough to actually go to the loo though. I keep having to have a break as my legs are going dead from sitting on the loo for so long!

So sorry, this is such a gross subject!

If you put your fingers in your vagina and press around the back you will be able to feel anything blocked there and be able to push it out much easier than if you go for the more direct route. It’s horrible isn’t it ☹️