Scaredy-cat looking for advice

[TheOtherHalf]

Just wondering when constipation becomes dangerous or an emergency? I don't think I have been properly for 10 days. Last night, I was late to bed and when I got there, started with cramps that I knew would lead to diarrhoea. I was so tired that I stupidly lay still and tried to ignore it until I fell asleep. I managed a small amount of dry poop this morning, but obviously still backed up. I feel sick, dizzy and a bit out of it. I don't have health anxiety, but I do have a fear of vomiting, and I do get a bit panicky if I think I have harmed myself. I will try to eat some soft veg and lots of water soon to try to trigger more poop. But I admit, I'm a little scared and any advice or reassurance would be welcome. Thankyou 🙂

[b1b1b1]

Try some Milk of Magnesia (in the US--may have a different name in the UK). Then, on an ongoing basis make sure you are drinking at least 8 cups of fluid a day. Also, try to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. You might also have a kiwi as those are helpful in encouraging BMs.

[Oxygen_guy]

Hi, Well to start off with I think you need to be careful what you eat that can make you constipated. I must admit I've done it before and I understand how you feel about it all. It hasn't to me in a long time and I hope it doesn't but you need to get in touch with your GP and ask for Laxido. You can buy it over the counter but it is dear. But you can also buy other constipation relief Meds in shops,I just get the Laxido from my GP. And you need to sit down and work out what triggers the constipation and Diarrhea off. Anxiety doesn't help as we know. But like you have mentioned you didn't go when your body wanted you to go. That's the worst thing you can do I'm afraid. Because what happens is whilst it is building up in the back passage can we say,It hardens the stools and while you keep eating more food it keeps building up more and more. So my advice is to drinking plenty of water, Get some constipation relief from a shop,And it's totally up to you but ask your GP for Laxido. It works but takes time. Your probably looking at 3 -5 sachets for it to work depending how bad it is. But as I say on here, Your not alone with these problems. We are here to talk and listen. But please don't hold it in, It's better to get rid of it asap when you need to go to the toilet.

[gussmithy]

How awful for you. Advise you see your GP, also a good dose of Milk of Magnesia. Don't take lots of herbal laxatives ongoing nor, generally overdo fibre intake.

[Nothingimpossible]

Hi there. After my various different ops. Each consultant has prescribed Lactulose which is a liquid and can buy in a chemist. Also make sure you drink plenty of water and eat veg and fruit. Also try a teaspoon of organic honey either on toast or in cereal. Wish you well.

[xjrs]

I would call 111 and get their advice. Leaving it for 10 days is too long.

Have you had all the tests done to confirm that you have IBS-C (constipation dominant IBS)? If not, you'd need to speak to your GP to get these done. This would include blood and stool sample tests (when you manage to have one).

When desperate there is this method:

ibsresearcher.com/constipat...

Long term management here:

ibsresearcher.com/constipat...

[TheOtherHalf]

Thankyou very much everyone for your advice. I have a complicated history of coeliac disease, followed by severe IBS -M and difficulty taking in enough food, which has not resolved despite various elimination diets including FODMAP. My diet is currently so limited (not through choice or lack of appetite) that they want to put me on an NG feeding tube to regain weight. My recent constipation episode has been largely caused by an accidental burning of my oesophagus from hot water, which necessitated further restrictions on what I was allowed/able to eat. Thankfully, I did use the bathroom this morning so I am not so worried! But I do hope to increase the variety in my diet depending on symptoms. It's a frustrating ongoing battle which has changed me from a healthy active person to a weak and accident-prone one who currently doesn't work. It's good to know there is a variety of laxatives available, should I get desperate again. Thanks Oxygen_guy - yes it was ill-advised to hold it in when I needed. I find that when I have diarrhoea, my guts get in a cycle of being irritated and further limiting my food intake for a prolonged time. So sometimes, I try to hold it back and poop more 'normally' the next day. But yes that's not a great option 🙄

[bally15]

10 days is a long time.. either go to pharmacy & get something or ring dr as you dont want to end up with bowel obstruction

[Scampmummy]

I’m in uk and my GP gave me luctulose syrup to keep stools soft - take once a day up to 3 times a day. Worth asking. I think you can get this at pharmacy.

I was having terrible pains in my stomach but haven’t since I started taking this.

Good luck. Symptoms can be scary.

[Luisa22]

Yes, being constipated can lead to feelings of indigestion and perhaps nausea.

I think the more serious aspect can be if there's an intestinal blockage. It doesn't seem as if you have that as you are still able to pass little bits. The worrying symptoms are if there have been a number of hours or perhaps a day or so where even wind can't be passed, no stool either.

Yes, if you get attacks of diarrhoea, that's likely to be "overflow " diarrhoea, where the liquid stools from higher up in the colon, by-pass the harder stool lower down. Nature's way I suppose to do some form of elimination.

Have you been taking anything to try to combat the constipation? Or modifying your diet to include foods that help ? Fruit and veg or brown rice etc?

If so, I wouldn't be afraid of getting looser stool for a few days, and just use anything that works.

Glycerine suppositories might help too?

If ever I get constipation (in between my IBS D stuff) I find those very helpful and gentle and effective for any stool that is too hard or dry lower down.