Severe constipation/blockage - tried everything!

[dreamerkr]

Long story. About 3 weeks ago I had a really bad viral infection where I had a high fever for almost a week and was taking paracetamol and ibuprofen every 5-6hr. 2 weeks ago, my whole family had a stomach infection for a couple of days everyone had diarrhoea and I had really bad diarrhoea cramps. I thought I was gonna get diarrhoea too but every time I ran to the bathroom (all night) nothing at all came out. For days after that nothing came out when I strained. I’ve never had constipation issues before so it’s really weird.

First, the pharmacy gave me dulcolax. I took that twice only but it didn’t do much at all. The first time it did nothing. The second time all it did was give me cramps and a teeny bit of loose stool. I went back to the pharmacy, they gave me lactulose which was a literal lifesaver after both my c-sections. The lactulose after 2 days gave me a loose bowel movement but the blockage that I’ve been feeling, is still there. I feel like maybe the loose stool is coming out around the blockage?

I had a GP appt over the phone 5 days ago. GP said it sounds like an impaction, they gave me laxido sachets and told me to take 4 the first day within 6hr, 6 the 2nd day and 8 the 3rd day. These sachets did make me pass loose stool but there were no hard bits, nothing to make me think the blockage was getting less. After the diarrhoea or loose watery stools, when I try to strain the same thing again. The same blockage or whatever it is. Still there. Laxido did help me to pass loose stool but I don’t know if it had any effect on the blockage which now I’m not even sure if it’s an impaction.

I had another GP appt over the phone yesterday, they prescribed some suppositories. I used one yesterday and about 50 mins later I had the same watery loose bowel movement. Nothing solid at all. After the loose bm, the blockage or whatever it is is still there. I’m so fed up now. The GP did say that sometimes suppositories take a few days but I don’t even know if it’s an impaction honestly. I’m bloated but not overly bloated. I don’t have cramps. The GP didn’t seem that bothered honestly, they gave an in-person appt for Tuesday where they’ll do a rectal examination too.

But I’m so fed up. I really want to know what exactly this is. I’ve never had anything like this happen before. And it happened right after the viral infection which makes me think that it’s linked. That week I was ill, I was in bed most of the time too. GP said it could be linked to that because I was immobile for that week mostly and usually I walk like 12k or so steps everyday and am very mobile running after my toddler and 1yo.

I have an appt for Tuesday but it’s only Friday yet and I really need to know what’s going on. It’s been 2 weeks of this now. Would it be wrong to go to A&E with this? What am I meant to do? I’ve tried dulcolax, lactulose, laxido sachets, suppositories… any ideas guys? Anything would be appreciated.

Does it sound like an impaction? TMI I inserted a gloved finger up there but couldn’t feel any stool, whatever it is, is higher up. When I strain I feel the blockage or whatever it is, higher up. Not near my opening. Idk what’s going on honestly.

Got my first ever nursing placement on a surgical ward from the 23rd of this month. A surgical ward that specialises in bowel surgery for blockages etc. What a freaking coincidence.

I'd ask for an xray to see what is going on. Was any of the loose stool black or dark coloured?

I'd start taking movicol or osmolax and take dulcolax in the evening. The osmatic laxatives soften the stool and dulcolax irritates the colon so there is a movement.

I'd not necessarily agree to a rectal exam. If you cannot feel it in the rectum the doctor is not going to feel much either!

Yeah I really do want an x-ray or scan to find out what’s going on. Not sure if it’s an impaction or if there’s another blockage of some sort. The stool wasn’t dark coloured, that’s why I’m thinking the diarrhoea/loose stool is moving around the blockage and coming out.

Do you think I should try the dulcolax again? I only took it twice, the first day 1 tablet which did absolutely nothing and then 2 tablets the day after, which gave me cramps.

I think Movicol is the same as Laxido which I’ve been taking but should I take it with Dulcolax?

Have you told them that you can feel a solid lump/ blockage higher up? Surely they qualified for the cancer pathway - if that still exists? Not to worry you but it might be the only way to get an xray or scan.

I'd just ring gps, overegg it a bit to get a same day appointment. You need someone to examine you really. I'd you can't get an appointment ring 111. I wouldn't go to a&e unless in severe pain and unwell.

Are you eating and drinking ok, no vomiting? If you had any kind of obstruction you'd be in pain and be vomiting so try not to worry too much.

Drink lots of juice and water, walk a lot as mobility gets things moving then see what gp says.

I did tell them there’s some kind of blockage but I can’t feel a solid lump either. I don’t know what it is. Thinking of going to A&E in a bit.

Oh op that's awful. Have you tried Prunes.

I’m eating and drinking as normal, getting hungry as I usually do, worried about where all the food is going to tbh. Because I’m eating a lot. I’m not in pain or vomiting.

I haven’t tried them yet but will try and buy some prune juice today.

Oh just read you're not on pain :)))

Eat prunes not just the juice.

I know it's not the 1950s lol. But that would be my advice. Hope your sorted soon. X

Oh okay, thank you so much :)

You need a straight abdominal xray or a scan to spot impaction, that’s IF you are impacted. You also have to drink lots of water with movicol, more than it suggests. Up your fluid intake for a couple of days and see if it helps.

You can also buy prunes in the baby food sachets to take out and about with you. 4 month plus is better than 6 months plus apparently. Tip (my brother was given) from someone, who has a lot of issues.

I do want a scan or x-ray to see what’s going on. With the sachets I have been drinking a lot of water and they have been helping I think.. well they’ve been helping to have a bowel movement but the sensation of a blockage is still there. I still can’t strain to poo. I mean when I strain, there’s nothing solid

I just buy tinned lol.

Note to self. Get some for my prepping cupboard! Lol

Uggh too many lols

Have you tried sennakot max? That's what helped me after surgery. It took about three days and then bam.

I took six dulcoease every day and two dulcolax every night for a week and it did sod all.

Even the suppositories didn't help even if I walked around with them in for half an hour.

Oh yes I forgot about that, thank you

No I haven’t tried that, is it available over the counter?

It sounds like the OP is a bit beyond prunes.

I think A&E might be the only option, although it will probably be a long wait. Frustrating - hope there is some movement soon.

Can you expand on what you mean when you can feel a blockage higher up if you can’t feel a lump? What does it feel like ?
if its not making you feel unwell and you can eat and drink and aren’t vomiting I don’t think it’s an a&e job unfortunately. You’d likely be waiting days to be seen.

Yes I’m probably gonna go to A&E in half an hour or so. So frustrated

I mean when I strain on the toilet, I feel like there’s something that’s physically blocking the stool from coming out and only watery stools are passing, probably from the side. It’s not really a lump or anything like that. Could it be internal haemorrhoids?

Are you feeling well enough to do any exercise?

Ive had bad bowels my whole life and when I go for a run I ALWAYS need to go for a poo straight after, and its a whopper. I think its all the movement

And I'm no pro runner, my 5k is pitifully slow.