Pregnancy constipation...again

[Anyat212]

So I’m constipated again, I’m pretty sure it’s down to the upped medication of Ondansetron. I’m on this x3 a day which is making life easier on the vomiting and nausea side (still at 25 weeks)

I’ve been off work today as the constipation has been awful but it’s really stepped up the last hour. I’ve been sat on the loo in agony and I’m running a bath now as it’s the only place I feel normal.

I’ve tried all the usual methods from prunes, OJ, fruit, veg etc. I managed to cope alternating between lactulose and movicol but it’s not working this time. I can’t actually remember the last time I had a BM, I think I’m around the 7 day mark.

Anybody taking Ondansetron do you have any tips of what you use to help the BM? Besides movicol and lactulose?

The GP prescribed some suppositories around 3 months ago, although I’ve battled with constipation since a child I’ve never used these and I’m abit embarrassed to say but I’m worried about using them. (Although at the moment I’m really thinking to just use them) they are pregnancy safe so no problem there. Do I just need to brave it and use them? I’m hoping someone has some magical cure I’ve not heard of to help me out!

How much movicol are you taking? I wasn’t on the ondesartan but was constipated and get anal fissure so had to manage it carefully. I was taking 2 sachets 3x a day. I was told not to take too much fibre as it sucks up the moisture and makes the poo bulky. Better off with fruit and white carbs, avoiding whole meal as much as possible.

I’m only taking 1 per day, I didn’t realise you could take 2 sachets x3 a day. My GP only told me to take the one as I’m pregnant. Thanks I’m sticking with the fruit it helps that I enjoy it, anything but them pesky prunes!

I’ve not had trouble with movicol lately just these tablets are very well known for bad constipation, I’ve never known anything like it

Definitely use the suppositories. I had to for part of my ivf treatment. Was so scared of using them the first time, i really didnt think I could do it but had no choice! I braved up, used a mirror the first time and just did it. Sooooo much easier than I imagined! They were just progesterone but the waxy material kept me the most regular I've ever been. Oh I miss those days!

Ah I’m definitely going to brave it once I’m out of this bath I think that’s why I’m scared as I don’t think I’ll be able to do it or I’ll be doing it wrong (not exactly sure how I could do that wrong but it’s still running through my mind) thanks for the tip with the mirror too - hopefully they work for me too.

I'm managing ok on one sachet movicol without being on tablets so I imagine its a lot worse with the tablets on top - the manufacturer says its safe for preg (thats what my gp said when he looked it up as he thought i couldnt have it) - you could try 2 sachets a day. you need to be able to drink fluids though as movicol works by drawing water into your bowel :)

hope you find something that works. Magnesium also does a similar thing (especially magnesium citrate) but i haven't researched or asked whether its safe for pg so I asked for movicol.

Thank you! I am making a more conscious effort to up my water intake x

You can take up to 8 sachets of movicol per day. Just increase and decrease very gradually, call your gps office and ask for a gp callback and they will talk you through it.
The only suppository I am allowed in pg was a glycerin one, it worked well though. Try some preparation h or Vaseline around the area at the same time.

That first bm is terrifying and you're probably starting to withhold a bit now too. Google hypnobirthing down breaths to help you and put your fit up on a stool ( I use my little bathroom bin).

*feet

That’s the suppository I’ve got I couldn’t remember the name last night. Glad to hear they are effective, I still haven’t got round to using them although I’m very quickly getting to my wits end - I don’t know why they bother me so much, I think it’s just the thought. Do they work quite quickly?

Thanks for the advice - I’ll get in touch with my GP too, I’ve actually got one of them ‘poop stools’ which are good but it’s not particularly helping at the moment (still using it though) your right - I’m definately witholding too as this pregnancy constipation is the worst I’ve ever had it (think I’ve been constipated four times since finding out), so I’m very nervous about the BM.

Hi, for me the suppository worked within 15 minutes. I'd already used movicol twice that day, drunk a gallon of water and things were soft so it was just a huge relief
You really need to relieve the pressure or you're going to end up with hemorrhoids which is far worse if you ask me.

Thank you - that’s sealed it then, I can’t be done with having piles too! X

Update; I’ve taken one around two hours ago and I’ve had the smallest BM which was so painful. TMI: after 20 minutes of taking, I went to the loo and part of it fell into the toilet, I’ve looked online and it says it can still work and it was significantly smaller. Am I best to try again tomorrow afternoon? I can’t stop dry wrenching and feel like I’m going to be sick any minute.

I’ve just had another bath & feel a little more relaxed but feel awful. I can’t tell if it’s my morning sickness making ANOTHER re-appearance or a side effect from the suppository? Has anyone else had this type of reaction after taking one? I truely feel dreadful

I’m also starving (I’ve only managed breakfast today due to this issue) any recommendations of what to try & eat?

Poor you! Constipation is so grim. Definitely don't strain; I did so three weeks ago and now I have external piles like a string of cocktail sausages from fanjo to bum and can't sit down :(

I would have another bath as it brings you relief. Massage your tummy clockwise as much as possible to get things moving, also gentle walking or swimming can help. Down a couple of pints of water as if it's medicine, I know you're upping your intake but you really can't overdo it!

Try again with the suppository tomorrow – stay lying down once it's in. Put some old towels & pillows on the bathroom floor, bring a book, magazine, phone & water and plan to just hang out down there until you really HAVE to go rather than forcing things along.

Food-wise my current go-tos are: oats (flapjacks!), partially rehydrated dried apricots (much nicer than prunes and have more fibre), warm stewed apple, carrot sticks and hummus, big bowl of muesli soaked in apple juice, a burrito bowl with brown rice, black beans, guacamole, fresh tomatoes, etc – fibrous but feels like a treat.

Feel for you with the piles, I had a small one a few months back and that wasn’t pleasant to say the least. Are there no creams etc helping you out?

Constipation really is grim, I still haven’t been so I’ll definately be trying again tomorrow. DPs DF is in the UK tomorrow and staying with us for a couple of days which is just typical as well.

With the suppositories I’m assuming if I have no luck again just to contact my GP again? I really thought the one would have worked especially after hearing other people’s experience and reading up online. I’ll try that tomorrow though, maybe I was abit too eager to go.

Thanks for the advice on the foods too, I hope you get some relief with the piles x

This has reminded me to ask the doc for lactulose in morning before i go home!
Brings back the pain of ripping my arse last time!! Fun times!
Apples pears and oranges worked for me before aswell.

I’ve finally managed to go - almost 9 days and with the most active of LOs in there, I feel completely exhausted!

I will definitely be more conscious of fibre and drinking water, can’t be done with this experience ever again in my life. The suppositories made it so much easier and painless which is a first when it’s been this long!

Woohoo! Genuinely pleased for you and your poo!

Is ondansetron the only thing that's working for you, or the thing that works best? It gives me diarrhea, not constipation, but I've found the side effects much more manageable taking a combination of different drugs. I tried 3 ondensatron a day but it wasn't enough for the nausea (I'm 9 weeks now) and the side effects were horrible. I'm now on 3 cyclizine a day as well which means I can keep it down to 2 ondansetron and it's massively improved the side effects.

(I'm combining them because at 9 weeks

Hi @Teddyreddy

Yes unfortunately it just stop the sickness, which allows me to eat. It’s just a shame how bad it can block me up, it’s quite a common side effect to be fair and probably the only one I have (I think most people have naesua). Can’t imagine diorheara is any more pleasant though. Has this cleared up with the combination of meds?

I’ve tried cyclizine too at the height of my crazy sickness, it worked great for the first day and then made me a lot worse when I was talking it. I didn’t feel dizzy just had a really thick head and was sick more taking them, that resulted in a trip to A&E and having ondansetron as an injection. I ended up taking ondansetron in tablet form again which worked way better the second time (no idea why!)

I’ve tried to reduce the amount I’m having but it makes me physically sick again, which is so annoying as I feel better so think I’ll reduce them but I need to take them, which then results in this horrible constipation! I’m just going to try and look at my diet and avoid KFC flaming wraps (abit of a guilty pleasure)

I have heard of the combinations though, by the time I was sorted my sickness had improved. I was sick from week 6 although week 9 - 14 were horrific! I’m glad the medication is working for you, there really is nothing worse. How are you coping with the naesua? I still struggle time to time but it is fading at 26 weeks.

Congrats btw!

@burritofan haha thanks I feel like a new woman today!

The cyclizine did make me muffle headed initially but 3.5 weeks in that seems to have mostly stopped. However, on full ondensatron the diarrhoea was awful - after cutting it down to 2 a day it's been manageable despite me now taking metaclopramide as it means I can take something every 2 hours when the last one wears off ....

I dont know how you find it but I'm finding it intensely frustrating. The nausea is mostly OK now as long as I don't do anything much more than lie on the sofa but I have a 2 year old and an almost 4 year old so feel like I'm letting them down the whole time . Glad to hear you are doing better.

@Teddyreddy yeah that’s what it feels like, I just couldn’t get used to it!

I really feel for you especially with younger children too, I don’t know how you’re managing and you should be really proud you are! I spent so much time on the bathroom floor, the sofa or bed when I was really sick and the naesua was horrific, you just get so exhausted. I didn’t think it was going to end and one low point I do selfishly remember thinking, I can’t do it anymore with my head in the loo being sick again. It’s just awful, have you got a good support network around you? I think that massively helps, although I’ve seen a few posts on here and I agree with the women who still say they feel alone as you literally can’t do anything! I’ve had almost 12 weeks off work (broken up a few times by going back too early) I’m going back tomorrow & looking forward to having a routine in my life again, I’ve been so dependant on OH it’s going to be nice to be me again!

I really hope you feel better soon & it passes even sooner for you. I’m not sure if you’ve came across it on here but the Hypermesis thread is fab, I found it when I wasn’t feeling as bad but the support on there is great too.