TMI but Movicol or suppositories?

[Liland]

Coming up for 10 weeks pregnant, and have been really struggling for about a month. Fybogel does nothing and lactulose is just causing immense stomach pain and bloating.

Need to run to the chemist soon to sort this out, and I see both Movicol and glycerine suppositories are safe for pregnant women. I've never used either. Is one more effective than the other? Is there a guaranteed result for someone who usually has a very sensitive stomach, and has to be safe to travel to work tomorrow?

I'm having massive food adversions and still quite sick in the evenings, so I can't just up my fibre. I'm doing my best :(

Thanks in advance, I'm desperately uncomfortable.

Suppositories will have a quicker and more predictable effect, but are probably a slightly miserable long term solution. Movicol tastes a bit weird, but doesn't cause the bloating that fybogel or lactulose do.

In your position I'd get both. Use the suppositories tomorrow, then see if you can manage regular movicol once or twice a day after that to keep things regular. You'll still have suppositories as a backup plan if you can't face the movicol.

P.S. Movicol is a brand name for macrogol, there are cheaper (identical) generic versions available such as laxido

Ahh, so Movicol isn't a fast-acting solution then? Thanks for the brand info.

I've seen some pregnant women use senna, which had always produced quite a violent reaction in me in the past. Is this safe or not?

Movicol is a very fast acting solution if you take enough of it , but if your stomach is a bit sensitive that might be pretty unpleasant!

Can't remember if senna is safe in early pregnancy or not, the pharmacist will know. It works by making your gut muscles contract harder, so can worsen cramping, and if you are very bunged up can be painful, whereas movicol loosens your stool so it passes through the gut more easily.

Suppositories are good to get things moving as a one off if you haven't been for a while, they tend to work within an hour or two and because they're loosening things from below can be more comfortable.

Having been plagued with this due to taking ondansetron, I'd say both tbh. If you haven't gone for a while the glycerin will help to, erm, soften things from below (as it'll be dry and hard and uncomfortable by now) but IME you still need something to help from the top end too. I also found the suppositories worked VERY quickly (like 10 minutes tops) so don't be going anywhere after you use them.

I managed with lactulose and glycerin, but the lactulose wasn't enough on it's own once things had got bad. Once you are moving again it's worth taking a daily dose of it to stop you getting backed up.

Pregnancy is soooo glamourous!

The lactulose is unbearable for me. I'm hoping to use the Movicol (and apricots etc once I can stomach them) to keep regularity once I'm passed this initial problem...

Once you've found the right dose for your needs, Movicol isn't fast-acting. It's not a laxative but a stool softener, and it works by helping your gut absorb fluid. To make it work you must drink plenty with it.

ahem, what subjects one get expertise in! I have IBS - suppositories work brilliantly - I reckon 45 minutes no tummy aches done & dusted. Use them for 2 to 3 days same time each day - then start your other stuff on the next to last day. Keep some in stock so if the other doesn't work you can go back to them. Remember you might be slightly loose after so if your doing them before you go out leave a bit extra time. Not to be to graphic but you need to sit still for a while before so you can - um-hold on -the longer you do the better they work...cringe....