Why am I afraid to go to the bathroom?

[Trudijane]

I’ve been dealing with constipation issues for the past year. I can only attribute it to gettin older - never had any problems before that. I won’t go into the details of what I have tried - I’ve taken lots of great hints from videos and forums; a lot of it seems to work - and then it doesn’t. I know what to eat, what not to eat - and I have eliminated Miralax, etc. from my regime, altho I take Magnesium, Senna, and probiotics every morning - and 2 glasses of water prior to my breakfast and before coffee.

About a week ago, I was thrilled that I had the first normal BM for 3-4 days; so I was heading in the right direction…I was on the right path - until several days ago - what happens is, I may have a normal poop - but then it feels that there is more….so I push gently, trying not to strain - and nothing else comes out - but I’m left with the feeling that there is a hard rock stuck inside of me that I can’t get out. I can’t get comfortable, I can’t sleep - and it’s total hell. I’ve GOT to get whatever is there - out!!! In any way I can….

At some point - I have to stop - because I become exhausted or the area hurts to much - I feel as if I’m being broken in half and wide open in the area; but when I feel back there - it’s just me…the swelling. Sometimes, there IS something there - other times, there is nothing - it just ‘feels’ that way.

But all I know is that I can’t leave it like it is. I’ll do anything to get it out!!! I sometimes resort (too often lately) to an enema…not a whole enema - but I squirt a little when I’m sitting there in the hopes it will soften at least part of it…sometimes it helps just a little. I also know that eating prunes ‘always’ does the trick - but I usually have to wait for an hour or 2 for things to get going - or eat something so peristalsis stimulates things to move.

Then what happens is overkill - that is, it keeps on coming - lots of diarrhea and I have no idea when it’s going to end…I’m on the toilet way too long….my cat needs me at times - and there I am sitting on the toilet!!! What happened to those 4 days of normal pooping?

I think some of it may be psychological - being afraid or trying to hard doesn’t help me. But I have to find a way that will work for me…I thought I did - until it didn’t. When this occurs I just want to die!!! Can someone help? Or give some advice please? Thank you.

[Chocolate41]

Have you tried glycerine suppositories they work for me .

[Trudijane]

I once tried 'dulcolax' suppositories, and it was the worst option I tried. It felt like something was stuck inside of me - and nothing really happened - just a lot of discomfort.

[CockeyMoor in reply to Trudijane]

Glycerin suppositories are different. They don’t contain a medication. Just glycerin which melts and helps you to go to the loo.

£1.49 at Bodycare for 12 and I buy 10 boxes at a time of else I would be in constant pain feeling a lump as you say in my rectum.

Using them since 1996. Only recently needed them everyday. Used to be a lot less but as I have got older the bowel has got worse. Remember to keep the suppository in for a good few minutes whilst laybonnthe bed with knees bent up.

[Gizmo6]

This use to me I'd be so constipated I'd take ducolax or andrews which was way too strong I'd spend so long on the toilet and was so sore with a gassy stomach. I stopped all that it just didn't suit me. Years later I started with acid reflux so I changed my diet my bowel movements changed, not perfect but better. I'm presently seeing a physio for hip pain so I'm exercising 5 days a week walking with a friend 3 times a week my bowels are even better. I still suffer with stomach gas but on bad days I drink bicarb and water. It settles the gas helps with bowel movements which is a bonus or I take simethicone for the gas. I do believe the exercise has worked wonders. I've recently been doing reverse kegals I feel that also helps. I hope you find some relief it gets into a vicious circle. Please do look up pelvic exercise I believe it's all connected.

[Sue0859]

Me too with the hard lumps. I have found if i can push a little bit out, then squeeze really hard I can compress the next bit and so on.

[Trudijane in reply to Sue0859]

Yes, hard lumps - sometimes. Other times, it looks like snake slivers....when I was pooping normally a few weeks ago, it just came out in a large piece and well-formed. I have no idea how to read my body's signals anymore....especially wnen I feel like there is something there, but there really isn't!! I never know when I'm finished

[Goforitnow]

Try Laxido (Macrogol).

[Wonderwall3]

Be careful with trying to strain, you could give yourself a hernia. I have had chronic constipation dominant IBS since the late 80's but particularly horrendous the last couple of years as I have been having constant flares of pain from Fibromyalgia. I have been trying to alternate lactulose and dulcolax and Gastroenterology are referring me for colonic irrigation as no laxatives are very effective.

[Trudijane in reply to Wonderwall3]

I try not to strain - and take my time;; but there comes to a point where i feel that I have to - just a little.

[Leo70]

I feel you should probably get some advice from a doctor/gastroenterologist if you have been having so much trouble with constipation, and get a proper regime for its management or further investigation, especially as you mention you are getting older. The diarrhoea you say you are getting at times could be the result of overflow diarrhoea where the liquid seeps out from around the impacted, constipated stool.

[Trudijane in reply to Leo70]

I’ve seen my GI doctor several times; and he only suggests I try certain things - and to see hot they work. Ive told him everything, but as far as he can tell, there is nothing physically wrong with me…I dont particularly like the things he suggests like Miralax, stool softeners, dulcolax; He also said that enemas are safe, but I dont’ want to have to rely on them. He just tells me to keep on trying.

I wrote to him a week ago and I told him good news! I was pooping normally for now. I was so happy - but then it just stopped. So - it seems i can poop normmallly but something is preventing that - its not consistent..