Severely constipated what next?

[BlueKeith]

I've been slightly constipated for weeks until 8 days ago . Then I just stopped. Been in severe pain since and tried every laxative. Been to doctors and she put me on docusate sodium. Now I'm on molaxole powder and having 8 sachets in 6 hours for faecal impaction. Still nothing at all. I'm in pain now but don't know what my next step is. Any suggestions?

[heartmatters1]

Sorry to hear you’re suffering. I have been there too. I was severely impacted about 18 months ago, with only watery poo getting past (called overflow) very painful spasms. GP didn’t know what it was at the time. I was hospitalised - X-ray found impaction. I was given large doses of laxatives and was kept in until they worked. Please be patient it will work & the relief will be great! I just have to be careful not to let myself get into that position again by taking daily laxative, high fibre diet & plenty of fluids.

Best wishes

Ally

[BlueKeith in reply to heartmatters1]

Thanks. Think I may have been a little impatient but thought by now I would be going regularly. You any knowledge on suppositorys?

[Luisa22 in reply to BlueKeith]

Tigershull, you can try suppositories. They might help, but seem to help the "far end" of things, rather than further up. Butdealing with both ends on this might be a good idea. (laxatives in one end, suppository the other end)

They are pretty gentle on the body, not harmful as far as I know. Occasionally I have used them and they will encourage a bowel movement...well they did with me, but my constipation was not as bad as yours right now.

I used glycerin suppositories. Easy to get from any pharmacy, even the supermarket pharmacies. You dampen them first, insert, and what I usually did was lie down and let gravity help, listen to the radio for 15 minutes.

When you dampen the suppository beware because it will get very slippery. The first one I tried shot all the way across the bathroom!

You can use 2 if first one doesn't work enough.

[BlueKeith in reply to Luisa22]

I've had 8 sachets of moloxole powder in 6 hours and am finishing with a glycerin suppository. Fingers crossed

[heartmatters1 in reply to BlueKeith]

I’ve never had much luck with suppositories, as my problem seems to stem higher up in my bowel. Think they help a lot of people, especially if blockage is just inside. How are you today?

[Chocolate41 in reply to heartmatters1]

yes I have been there.You can use dulcolax suppositories they are stronger than glycerin suppositories

Its worth a try and can be bought over the counter.

Good luck.

[Chocolate41 in reply to Chocolate41]

One at a time though.

[BlueKeith]

Thanks

[Hidden]

hi tigershull having been in your situation a few times try the suppositories , if that fails micralax micro enemas are good for getting out the stuff at the bottom end while your waiting for the other laxative to work as the powders don’t work instantly x

[BlueKeith in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Think mini enema could unblock blockage

[Hidden in reply to BlueKeith]

it will certainly get rid of the hard stuff in the rectum fingers crossed , they work for me x

[fedupoffeelingtired]

After one very bad bout of constipation I discovered Rhubarb Complex. That was a game changer. I take them with my evening meal . I don't need it every day. Once I notice things are slowing down I take them and stop when I return to normal.

[Pat1 in reply to fedupoffeelingtired]

I have tried so many things for severe constipation, despite eating healthy and am active. Please let me know if it is the Twentieth Century herbals that you take and how many do you take? I am Trying Triphala at the moment. It is not cheap, but it is not working. I also try Magnesium Oxides for the colon which are also very expensive. I do t mind paying the price if I know something is good from other’s experience. Although I know that brands are different quality.

[fedupoffeelingtired in reply to Pat1]

Yes they are from twentieth century herbs. I take two for two days then only take one until things are going ok. Never had a problem with them. They regularly have discounts and offers so tend to buy using them as it makes it cheaper

[LittleMama74]

Have you tried Lactulose ? It takes time but works for me . I’m so sorry you going through this . Dulcolax can help also once you can soften stool internally

[Nerissa]

hi the suppository helped me but I didn’t like the feeling after as made a lot of mucus for me for days but definitely worked within a hour and I had tried everything else. I’ve now found a certain orange juice that works. I live in Hong Kong and it’s a local one I think but perhaps try different makes to see once you’ve got rid of this bout. Also I was having problems with my bladder and my specialist gave me anti inflammatory drugs and when I take those they always upsets my stomach so perhaps something like that might work. Hope you’ll feel better soon

[Mothebear]

chia seeds and linseed, add to food, a smoothie, just add to water, easy to ingest if you don’t eat regularly or you don’t want a lot of food.

All the best.

[BlueKeith]

It's now the pain. I'm in agony. What pain killers does anyone recommend?

[nomoreibsc in reply to BlueKeith]

So sorry you are going through this. It's awful. I use movicol but it takes me up to two days or more to clear impaction. I also use senna in addition when things aren't moving. Pain wise, I take paracetamol and pray. I really do feel for you. It's worth calling your GP or seeing if you can pop along to your hospital for assistance. The pain sounds intense.

[Fairy1961]

Sorry that you are suffering been there myself took a while to get it cleared however I have stopped drinking tea and coffee have an occasional one and I only drink warm water advice from a friend and boy does it work it keeps stools soft and I am going on a regular basis so far so good worth a try hope you get relief soon

[BlueKeith in reply to Fairy1961]

Just started on the warm water. Thanks

[kari-ann]

As heartmatters said, I would go the hospital route via a&e. Hope the wait isn't too long. They may give you suppositories and an enema. You should have an examination also. It's awful you are in pain but do get checked out. An x-ray/ scan would be an idea to push for also. Good luck !

[bluejourney]

Liquid paraffin is an old fashioned remedy for constipation, but very effective. I find it never fails.

[clivepratt12]

Hi,Like one of your replies i have recently had an operation and i was prescribed Lactulose by my surgeon as i must NOT strain and it really works,you can go to the chemist and get it over the counter,

[BlueKeith in reply to clivepratt12]

Thanks a few people have recommended lactulose.

[BlueKeith]

I've been given microlax. Fingers crossed

[eyeofthetiger123]

there are several things that you can include in your daily life to help this:

- high dose vitamin C (effervescent kind)

- magnesium capsule

- chia seeds in smoothies with a banana

- turmeric capsules.

If you are suffering regularly try slippery elm and aloe Vera for a period. Sorry you’ve been in distress for so long! Xxx

[Oakley0]

Having tried numerous treatments over the years I saw a professor at UCL who told me to take Epsom Salts. It’s essentially magnesium, and many people with constipation suffer from a lack of it. Only now available online ( for internal use, not the crystals you put in the bath). Start with 1 teaspoon mixed with water( and fruit juice to make it more palatable) at bedtime and works overnight. If this doesn’t produce required results slightly increase the dose next night until it delivers required results. It’s cheap, completely natural and amazingly effective - just don’t overdose as it really does the job. You can then use as maintenance as and when required. Hope this helps and good luck.

[BlueKeith in reply to Oakley0]

Thanks oakleyo magnesium seems a good one as it's a nutrient and more natural

[Morzine]

if you’ve not been by now and still getting pain ring doc…but I suspect you’ve been now

I would say onçe this is over. Try monogogol or movicol a sachet a day for a week or so…dates each day are windefil. Those big ones, just one or two.

Thing is once u clear a big impaction you don’t go fir a few days but I need yo keep it moving….

If u r still in pain, have they scanned you to see if there’s a blockage, do u have diverticula r disease?

[BlueKeith]

Would like to say after the worst night of pain and 2 shots of micralax it's finally happening . Pain is terrible but at least we are seeing results. Thanks all. Think it's time to look a diet long term

[Mothebear]

Hi just saw this.

Copy and paste the link below into Crome or Google or whatever search engine you use and it should open up a pod cast on constipation by the Zoe group (they are very up to date on the science of health!)

joinzoe.us20.list-manage.co...

[BlueKeith in reply to Mothebear]

Thanks . Looks interesting

[BlueKeith]

Yeah just starting lowfodmap. I been increasing fibre but a lot of the fibre foods was high fodmap. Thanks

[BlueKeith]

Why avoid straining? That's all I do.

[BlueKeith]

Thanks yani10 for that