Poo has finally gone.

[Sarah1972]

Just a brief update, after 5 weeks of constipation and a load of Enemas we finally had a nurse say it was impossible and has removed it manually. Very stressful for mum and she is totally shattered.

Another waiting game now begins x

[Hidden]

Good to hear. I did a bit of turd picking two weeks ago. Got him regular again. The whole thing will now start over.

[Northstar1 in reply to Hidden]

How are you doing Jeff good to see you on here xx

[Hidden in reply to Northstar1]

I had eleven hours of sleep last night with diazepam to help. That is the point of the respite care. As the caffeine kicks in this morning I feel like I have the energy to get to bulb planting today.

[NannaB]

I used to regularly do this for my husband if I could feel where it was. Gloves and a lot of lubrication. Often if I got rid of the poo near the exit, the rest would follow on its own. We both used to laugh about it. The first time I did it I commented that I vowed, for better for worse, richer for poorer, in sickness and in health but poo wasn’t mentioned. After that, every time I did it, I’d say the first vow which always started him laughing.

Let’s hope mum doesn’t have to have it done too often. One advantage of a PEG. No more constipation.

XxxX

[Spiralsparkle]

What a relief.

Hope your Mum feels some benefit when she has time to get over this ordeal.

Sending you both hugs

[SewBears]

I suppose it’s one thing when a loving couple is in a situation such as this compared to helping your mum with it. I remember my dad had to help mum after she had surgery for colon cancer and they were both able to laugh about it too, like Nanna B. Maybe your mum will realize that it had to be done and that it was worth it in order to feel better. Let’s hope so!

Sending hugs from I SewBears

Xoxo

[Dadshelper]

Glad that issue is over for you and didn't require surgery to remove the blockage.

Ron

[Sarah1972]

Mum is so shattered and hardly eating or drinking. The next few days we will be a little wiser to if and how she recovers. It seems like she could be aspirating now. Small t spoons of food/drink take an age to swallow. Her chest is painful and has little brown bits in her mucus along with what seems like small thin pieces of grass/straw.

[SewBears in reply to Sarah1972]

😢💐❤️

[racinlady]

Constipation was far and away the worst problem that PSP caused my husband and we battled it right up until the end. He would get blocked so far up that there was no reaching it. Every day when I got to the care home, I would get a poop report from his caregivers. It might have been funny if it wasn't so sad because it caused him so much anxiety. I hope it doesn't go that way for your mom.

Pat

[Tunupup]

I used to do this regular for my sister and laugh about it xxx

[Anjeli_Hazari]

Please try Senna leaves boiled and strained. I give it through the peg, but if there is no peg fitted, you could use a thickener if giving orally.

It truly works wonders when all else fails.

[Sarah1972 in reply to Anjeli_Hazari]

I think we are past that stage now Anjeli but thank you xxxx

[AJK2001]

Good to hear, your poor Mum must have been so uncomfortable. But please please don't let up on the laxatives now. I know when Mum has had bypass diarrhoea it's tempting to let things settle & not keep up with the laxatives but it's the wrong thing to do. I would rather a little loose than clogged up !!!

[Sarah1972 in reply to AJK2001]

Thank you for your advise but I believe that she will be rid of this dreadfulness very soon x

[Confusedandlost]

Constipation was literally ruining what life I had. The continuous use of enemas and huge quantities of laxatives only made matters worse. I would get overflow poo coming out around the blockage and this could go on for up to 11 days when eventually the blockage would shift. I would be constantly changing incontinence pants and the whole thing would wear me out. On two occasions that it didn't shift I had to go into hospital for manual evacuation and then the constipation would start again. A bowel specialist nurse recommended Coloplast Peristeen which is an irrigation system that you use at home. I am able to use it myself but District Nurses or members of your family who are trained can help with it and it works. My life has changed because of it and instead of staying at home being worried to go anywhere because of the unpredictability of my bowels and the thorough discomfort of constipation I am now in control. Good luck and best wishes.

[Sarah1972]

I don’t think mum will be making any comeback from this the Pallative care nurse warned me it may well be too much for her. Our only consolation is she has no stomach pain. She is no longer eating and drinking is near on impossible. Yesterday was as little as two teaspoons of very thickened liquid. I’m just doing what I can to keep her comfy which is mouth swabs regularly and watching for pain. She has little strength to cough or lift hand to communicate. This morning she had phlegm on her nightie and in her mouth. She couldn’t even spit it out. I think pneumonia has finally set in as she has shown signs of pain in her chest. Her syringe driver has been increased again and she also had a top up last night. Waiting for nurse to see if I should contact doctor but don’t believe there is much else that can be done. Poor mum looks so vulnerable x

[journeyofjoy in reply to Sarah1972]

I'm so sorry, Sarah. You are doing a wonderful, loving job of caring for her. You both will be able to rest soon.

God Bless you on your journey.

[Red1990]

My mother was about to start an anti-depressant last night. We read one of the common side effects was constipation. Your post gives me pause. Thank you.

[Sarah1972 in reply to Red1990]

Which one’s? I would definitely advise to give it a go. My mum has had diazepam and mirtazapine for last 2-3 years. She is in very end stages and it’s her bowels that are no longer working. If your mum is able to swallow still then she can always have laxative added to her diet. The constipation only started a few months back but she was always able to manage herself until this final episode. Antidepressants can make a huge difference to quality of life so please give them ago. She may feel drowsy for the first few days but this will soon wear off. Best wishes to you and your mother x