Constipation

[Amanda1982drew]

Hello everyone sorry about the post!! I have been severely constipated for about 8 days due to being on antiobiotics. I have finally gone but it was very bad diarrhoea has anyone had this happen before ?? Sorry to ask

[Poobah]

Unfortunately, the side effects of antibiotics can result in both constipation and/or diarrhoea. I usually get the latter. But we keep gentle laxatives in the medicine cabinet as other meds cause constipation.

I don't like using Immodium etc for diarrhoea even though my doctor has recommended it. These things pass (no pun intended) so can usually be tolerated in the short term. Constipation though definitely needs attention.

BTW some antibiotics are quite tolerable with no side effects but we all react differently. Make a note of the antibiotic and if you need future courses ask doctor for a different type.

[Singinglouder in reply to Poobah]

I used to be against Imodium etc, but the dietitian got me more relaxed about it, which did make life more comfortable, especially if I wanted to move more than a few feet from a loo. If you’d rather let nature take its course, tho, do be careful not to get dehydrated - maybe get some dioralyte in? Probiotics might also be useful (same dietitian).

[Poobah in reply to Singinglouder]

Spot on! 😁

[Singinglouder in reply to Poobah]

I learned about dehydration the hard way, in my early twenties, when I got up in the night for the umpteenth dash to the loo, not having drunk enough, and passed out. Opened my eyes and was convinced I’d died, because nothing I could see made sense. Turned out I’d managed to fall flat on my back with my head in the doorway of my mother’s room, and I’d just never seen the top of a door and the ceiling either side from that angle before! 😂

[ChrissieMons]

The diarrhoea is possibly because your back passage is still blocked and the only stuff that can get past is liquid. You need to take lactulose or some other kind of laxative asap to soften it and pass it out. It is common with antibiotics. If you still can't pass it after taking the max dose of laxative, - read the instructions! - you need to go to A&E and talk to them.

[CDPO16]

I agree with ChrissieMons that you bowel hasn't cleared properly yet. A combination of senna and lactulose could help. Both are available over the counter.

Don't be tempted to take immodium as this will only make the problem far worse.

[Hidden]

I once looked after a friend with bowel cancer and the hospice dr said the absolute best thing for constipation was Dulcolax. He found this to be gentle & more importantly effective. She said not to use lactulose or senna, can’t remember why