constipation

[Dudders123]

years of laxative abuse leaves me with slow bowel going shortly for biofeedback as have no anal function, have to evacuate myself now I’m passing some stool with interference but so bloated and in pain, am I impacted? Starting laxido today, and a stimulant, swore never to laxative use again but scared I’m full of stool, not sure whether to go for 4 or 8 sachets ? Please advise , feel very poorly, and really been building up my fibre, now I’m very confused !!!

[gussmithy]

My view, having suffered impaction, is that herbal laxatives will make things worse. You could try milk of magnesia but may need to see someone for an enema sooner the better. Most laxatives make stool too soft , you need bulk to push. But do see a professional.

[Poppyseed8 in reply to gussmithy]

I had a similar situation for nearly 2 years had a colonoscopy and results were in my favour the consultant told me I needed to go back on fybogel I told him it tasted disgusting but promised him I would try for a few days he replied for a few months otherwise it’s not worth taking so I have the hi fibre ones at two a day it’s certainly got better for me not sure if you have tried fybogel I found movicol very harsh almost not a natural fibre where as fybogel is 100% natural ispaghula husk in my mind it sounds more natural lol

[Dudders123 in reply to Poppyseed8]

Thank you, the big laxido dose hasn’t brought results, really scared to throw stimulants in, just can’t seem to go !!! Shall I eat today, if so is fibre a plan, have I over fibres, I do have Fybogel, should I try that ? How are you now ?

[Poppyseed8 in reply to Dudders123]

The fybogel had definitely helped but I have to make time to sit in the loo sometimes it takes longer than others .. do you ever use suppository’s .. I’am going for biofeedback a referral from my hospital consultant but not really sure what it is even my Gp wasn’t sure how it worked

[gussmithy in reply to Dudders123]

We all give difference advice. My consultant and books say avoid herbal laxatives like Fybogel like the plague. I take two suppositories daily.

[LFHell in reply to gussmithy]

Why avoid Fybogel? My dietician recommended psylium husk but i haven't tried it. I took magnesium natural sea salts instead, 2 tablets at night as thats a laxative. Dont usualy have constipation but took LGG probiotic and it caused it. Also on dairy almost free, low fodmap diet so added back some fodmaps and that helped too.

[Rhianna62 in reply to LFHell]

Be careful of Fodmap diet. Gastro told me as well as Doctor only be on that for a short time (one to two months) because it is so restrictive, maybe a 20 percent chance of actually helping IBS and it robs you of key nutrients.

[Rhianna62 in reply to Poppyseed8]

Please don't take Fiber supplements. All they do is bulk up your stools too much then you have to "strain" just to get the darn thing out leading to anal fissures, and a weak pelvic floor. No thanks. I'll stick with Apple Juice, Magnesium Citrate, Prune Juice, Pear juice Strong black coffee and perhaps a stimulant laxative like Senna and you'll be going in no time like a champ. Try to stay away from over the counter suppositories and Enemas. They are mostly just too little water and only get what's in your rectum.

[Rhianna62 in reply to gussmithy]

Actually, I don't know where you heard this wrong but this is not true. I take Senna and have been for twenty years under the close supervision of a gastro. I like many others in here have a weak pelvic floor and slow transit and fiber only bulks up stool and you have to strain to get the darn thing out, leading to anal fissures, hemorrhoids, etc. Stimulant laxatives do not make your stool too soft at all. There are times when it is okay for stool to be soft. Who wants rock hard impacted stools? No thanks. Someone gave you some pretty awful advice unfortunately.

[Orchid99]

Hi, have you had any motility testing done? I have slow transit colon and now found out it is redundant in 2 places, fibre makes things worse for me and I have been told to consume a low fibre diet by my dietitian, it helps but I also take cosmocol everyday for the last 4 years, otherwise I would block. Sounds like you may have an impaction, the laxido can take a couple of days to take effect which I think it mentions on the leaflet under the impaction dosages, you could also try a suppository?

[Dudders123 in reply to Orchid99]

Thank you, had a transit test which showed not too slow motility, but clearly it is slow( love sweetcorn but never see it re-paper for days !!! ) I use suppositories every day to help me self evacuate, as I have no sensation of ever needing to go . The laxido and a stimulant have worked, how do I know if the impacting has gone, dare I should I eat fibre today, what if I block up again , really don’t know what to do next 😢

[Orchid99 in reply to Dudders123]

I would probably hang fire on upping fibre again until you can get things moving better. I will say kiwis are very good though as they have a certain thing in them that helps constipation, but avoid bulk fibre for a bit and then re try when you feel better. Avocado is another things that seems to help me go. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Have you tried light exercise like jogging as that can help the bowel to move also?

[Rhianna62 in reply to Orchid99]

Yes..I have actually had this done myself and I found out I have a very weak pelvic floor..which is why I avoid fiber at all costs and stick with Prune juice, Apple juice, Pear juice, Strong black coffee, and a stimulant laxative like Senna. Works like a charm. And it's all under the supervision of a gastro.

[Rhianna62]

Hi, Miralax unfortunately is prescribed like candy. I feel it is an awful laxative and I will never take it again. Senna has always worked the best for me. I have been taking it once a week (I take 10..and yes, it's under the care of a gastroenterologist..as it's either a blocked bowel that I would have to go to ER for a soap sud enema or a stimulant natural laxative. Senna is an excellent laxative. Also..have you tried Prune juice? I heard that was excellent as well. Just don't take too much. Just warm up in the microwave four ounces in the morning and in the evening before bed and you will be going in no time with no bloating, or pain. There is also pear juice, Apple Juice as well. They work extremely well.

I would not take Fiber supplements like Fibercon, Benefiber, or Fiber rich foods. They "Bulk up" your stools too much and you have to strain like crazy just to get the darn thing out. I have a very weak pelvic floor and no way would I take Fiber supplements or foods. Have you tried Linzess, Resilor, Trulance etc? I hope it all gets sorted out. 🙏😊