Need some advice? What to do about problems emptying bowels?

[May998]

I go to the bathroom to empty my bowels 10 to 15 times a day. I don’t think I am constipated. But when I go I have to strain a lot, I feel pressure in the lower part of my stomach. I feel like my muscles are not working properly to get the poop out easily. I have cramps in my stomach when I need to go and have urges like I am going to poop myself but when I go it take a lot of straining to empty my bowels. I also pass a lot of mucus. And it’s painful.

I just want to know if there is something I can do to help with this?

Has anyone else experienced this before?

[Maureen1958]

Hi, you sound like you may be a bit constipated to me, but I am no expert on constipation. But what I would say is that when I feel I want to go to the toilet, I usually have a hot drink beforehand, ie tea or coffee, coffee is probably better. I find that helps to get out a reasonable amount out without leaving too much behind. Sugar in the coffee helps a bit too, I think. But of course it depends on whether you drink tea or coffee, or take sugar. Just a thought!.

[May998 in reply to Maureen1958]

Thanks for responding to me. I’m not sure i am constipated as I empty my bowels 10x a day, feel more like my muscles are weak. But I don’t no if that can happen. I will defo give the hot drinks ago, happy to try anything.

[Maureen1958 in reply to May998]

You could well be right about your muscles being weak, I'm sure someone else will respond tomorrow who may be experiencing something similar. Let me know how you get on with the hot drinks.

[edwangy]

Hi there, I have similar problems, feels like 'pressure' . My GP thinks I have slight pelvic organ prolapse which can make it feel like you want to poop when there is nothing there. I also have a uterine fibroid which can put pressure on my bowel sometimes makes feel like I need the loo. I get lots of gas as well. I take simethicone (Windeze) and alverine citrate for spasms, seems to help.

[xjrs]

Any changes in bowel habits that are not usual for you need to be discussed with your doctor. They may want to run some tests to be on the safe side.

You do sound constipated in the fact that you have to strain a lot. The reason you are having to go that many times is probably because at any one time you are only able to get bits and pieces out.

What is your fibre intake like? To improve constipation in the short term you can try ground flaxseed on your breakfast, starting at 1 teaspoon and increasing at 1 teaspoon every 2-3 days - you'll need to consume extra water with it.

These foods are also high fibre:

Prunes

2 tablespoon chia seeds (soaked for 10-15 mins in milk or non dairy milk with cereal or water)

Shredded wheat (or GF version: Nutribrex)

Quinoa

Wholewheat bread

Whole grain pastas

Hard pears

Dried apricots

Raspberries

Oranges (contain a natural laxative)

2 kiwi

I find that I need to have 1 orange a day and then another high fibre fruit later in the day to help with BMs.

I also take 30 drops of ginger extract before bedtime to aid motility. You may need to work up the dose to say 7 drop increments each night.

I have been giving Optifibre a go, which has been helping but I need to be careful with the amount since it gives me gas.

Exercise can help with BMs. The government recommends 150 mins of moderate exercise (e.g. walking as if you are late for an appointment) or 75 of intense exercise (e.g. jogging) per week. I also have a bit of a walk around straight after breakfast to get things moving.

You need to ensure that you are drinking enough fluids (2 litres of fluid per day).

There is some good advice about constipation here:

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

theibsnetwork.org/constipat...

[May998 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks for you advice. It’s been soo long! Things have got a lot worse. Sorry this is going to be tmi

I started taking laxatives, as I was in so much pain emptying bowls and I could feel the poop in my bum but it was really struggling coming out.

At first the laxatives helped but now even I am back to where I started. Even if the poop is runny it’s still so difficult to push it out. I even tried suppositories. I really don’t know what’s going on but this is horrible and I can’t go on like this.

My gp haven’t been helpful

I have a history of chronic diahorreea and stomach pain. I was under gastro, but they didn’t find much so I got discharged.

I find it difficult to explain so I hope this makes some sense. I know that this must sound really strange, even the doctors don’t believe me.

Would appreciate any advice

I am really lost

[Hidden]

Hi may I’m no doctor but it could be pelvic floor related , make an app with your doctor in the mean time do some pelvic floor exercises as weak pelvic floor can cause prolapse and create problems with bowel and bladder , x

[May998 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you ☺️, I will try that

[May998]

Hey, thanks to everyone who replied to me before. I just wanted to put up an update if anyone is reading this. I had quite a few test done, mainly lower GI studies and everything came back normal. Which I know is good news but at the same time it doesn’t explain why I am in so much pain when having a bowl movement and why i struggle to get the poop 💩 out! Doctors also said i’m not constipated and ruled out overflow diarrhoea. No doctor is able to help with this particular symptoms. It’s super distressing and it’s massively effecting my life. I can’t leave my house. I don’t no what to do. I have been doing pelvic floor exercises myself at home watching YouTube videos. However my gp won’t refer me as they test were normal. I know there is something wrong, this can’t be normal!

I’m thinking of booking in a private appointment however I really don’t know what I’m supposed to look for.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

I know this doesn’t sound like a major problem and people have it worse then me but it’s really affecting me mentally and need to try something.

Apologies for my bad grammar / spelling