Help feel I am going to explode

[nikki9]

I have just come out of 6 days in hospital being diagnosed with chronic constipation after a tummy X-ray been given lots of jolllop which dosent seem to be working has anyone else had this and how long does it last? This site is marvellous for help it has so supported me, thank you xx

[Hidden]

Hi there Nikki... Horrid going into hospital isn't it? I'm sorry you've been through it all. I've been in five times with bowel blockages and know the routine of nil by mouth and the drip by heart. I've managed to keep things under control by using half a sachet of Movicol every day. It's gentle because it doesn't work by roughaging the bowel. It draws water into the bowel so that faeces don't become dry and impacted. I've been free of constipation for 18 months now. Just a thought. Would be interested to know what you had prescribed if it's not to cheeky a question.

[wendydee]

Hi Nikki, I had the same when I came home from hospital and ate lots of prunes until it worked, also on here previously a lot of women recommend pears, a friend swears by tinned pineapple. I was prescribed lactulose, which didn't work at all. It was quite uncomfortable in my tummy when things started moving, but a hand gripping onto the radiator, next to my loo, did the trick. It sure was good when it did get moving

All the best

Love Wendy xx

[ChrisH]

Hi Nikki

I tend to be naturally constipated and get worse on chemo, though, not as badly as you, so you have my sympathy! I take Movacol too. I start off with one a day, then increase it over a few days until everything is shifting easily, then gradually reduce the dose. My GP calls it the "weekend cure"..... She said take 4 sachets over the day, if it doesn't shift, increase to six! Fortunately I've not had to go above 4! I've tried prunes and loads of other fruit, but I find they work for about a week, then stop! Reflexology can help too, as there are reflex points on both your hands and feet that can help persuade your bowls to work.

Al, the best

Chris

[Hidden]

Movicol/Laxido focuses on hydrating -it allows all the liquid you drink in it effectively to go straight through system but not to be absorbed so ends up lower down softening things up. It therefore takes time. You can go to 8 a day for really bad impaction but shouldn't do that without medical instruction...

But. Sometimes the fear gets you while this is going on - just how painful is this going to get... Hence hospital/doc will often add an enema /suppository solution to get things moving. I found this combo far better than the layering of drugs option and then waiting, personally.

Movicol flavours are a bit yucky I wish someone would put thought into this kind of thing. Knock em back... Good luck, we empathise...