Constipation emergency

[TinyLady]

I'm past embarrassment these days, so I am going to put this here in case it helps someone else.

I knew my once regular bowls were getting issues about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Despite years of cocodamol I had a nice system that worked.

But 5 weeks ago it stopped working. I waited in case it was a glitch. I increased fibre and upped my usual remedies. Mixed luck. So 2 weeks ago I was prescribed a laxative on a low dose (Dulcolax).

I hadn't been to the loo for over 8 days by this morning. I had been away and eaten loads, taken my usual dose every day plus all my usual tricks. Nothing happened. No desire.

Until this morning. My stomach was massive, I was in terrible pain, sweaty, fighting not to vomit, breathless and exhausted. I felt terrible which is very unlike me. But I didn't want to make a fuss....

My husband eventually decided to side with my carer and phone 111. They debated sending an ambulance. My GP just phoned and told me to pick up an urgent prescription for laxido. 6 sachets in the next 6 hours, 6 tomorrow and if not back to normal or anything gets worse an emergency ambulance to A and E.

Apparently I am borderline for bursting my bowels. I have been told if the pain increases, my tummy gets any harder or bigger or I am sick then straight to hospital.

I tried not to make a fuss because I didn't feel anyone medical really took me seriously. But I am now hoping the prescription sorts me out in time. Please don't leave it like I did. No matter how badly you have been treated, if you get these symptoms, get help urgently:

Not passing any poo for several days
Temperature and sweating
Severe abdominal pain (back pain too)
Sickness
Sudden watery diarrhea
Firm distended tummy

Hopefully I will be sorted in a few days 🤞

[PeterPan]

So pleased that you had the courage to post TinyLady I had a similar (but far less serious) experience. The Laxido worked for me and I now alternate between having a half sachet and a full sachet each day to keep things moving. Really hope you get relief from the extreme discomfort very soon.

[Heather R]

TinyLady I feel for you! I have had some agonising time with constipation, and it seems almost a constant battle to get it right. Different medication affects it, how much you are moving, what you are eating etc. I use laxido when it gets bad, hope it works for you. Watery diarrhoea is horrid but at least it’s getting rid of some! Drink lots, and hoping it’s soon sorted xx

[TinyLady]

PeterPan thank you for onward dosage advice - that will be useful. Hubby just gone to collect it so hoping we can sort this out before it gets any worse. Totally gone off food now 😆

Heather R - it was severe pain this morning but eased off a bit. The watery stuff apparently is bad news. It means I'm totally blocked and that is just water squeezing past.... I thought it was progress but GP put me straight 😆 I'm sure it will get sorted. I should probably learn to make more fuss!

[Madge]

TinyLady i thought I was bad having sat on the loo for an hour and half trying to pass my poo 💩 a few weeks ago but 8 days of not going sounds horrendous you poor thing x I also have Laxido but take ad hoc which helps but I mix a juice with mine as I can’t stand the taste/texture x hope you get some normality soon xx

[Zante]

my gp wanted to prescribe laxido, but I bought Lactulose which was way better for me personally and is now on my repeat prescription.
I know this is going to be dependant on swallowing capabilities... prunes do it for me everytime they have been a huge help. I began eating them initially for the antioxidants high content as numerous articles have discussed antioxidants helping to prevent degeneration, but they have helped in other areas! Could you use a food blender to make them easier to swallow?

[Ellie]

The watery stuff apparently is bad news. It means I'm totally blocked and that is just water squeezing past....

Yup, that has the wonderful name of 'overflow diarrhoea' and isn't to be ignored 😬 At least you know now and are warning others 👍👍

I should probably learn to make more fuss!

Again, yup! 8 days!!! What were you thinking Tiny 😉 - you need to believe that you are important, you deserve to be listened to 💪

With all those Laxidos, I guess you're staying close to a loo!

Hopefully normal service will resume soon and you can see about changing your dose and/or laxatives.

Good luck 🤞🤞😘

[shelly21]

TinyLady I've had the overflow issue but not in the extreme that you are having. If I suffer I eat loads of dried cranberries that are full of fibre and it works for me. My dad suffers and he needs a suppository and he says works very quickly.

Good luck xx

[Heather R]

TinyLady oh yes thanks for the info about watery diarrhoea! X

[TinyLady]

Thank you all for the supportive messages. My appetite and swallow are not good, so prunes and cranberries not too tempting, but maybe prune juice. In the past I never had a problem. I just thought it would sort itself out! But hopefully I can educate others not to be as daft as me.

The pain is still not good and first couple of doses of Laxido are in....

Hopefully good news soon and a maintenance dose found so this never happens again.

(I really must look after myself better)

[Ellie]

TinyLady I wonder if a heat pack or hot watter bottle on your tummy would help?

When you're finally on the loo, raise your knees by popping them on a little step or stool (no pun intended), it makes it a bit easier to go and I know you're no 6 footer 😉 - I use a kid's bathroom step. xx

[Madge]

Us warriors have so much to think about and change from our usual routines … it’s difficult to make those changes permanently. We mustn’t be too hard on ourselves. We all make mistakes along the way and drag our heels… I know I do !!
take care all.

[Doug Carpenter]

[Dictated]

Bless you, Tinylady, for posting this thread. It was like reading my own recent medical file.

The constipation got so bad that the duty GP at my surgery was here within three hours of a phone call!

I made the mistake of thinking that the very watery mucus was not serious. It is! PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T IGNORE IT. As posted earlier it is a true sign of overflow diarrhoea. It's the water beginning to overtop the dam.

Laxido works but you may have to increase the dose to make sure you clear out everything before starting again.

Good luck!
Doug

[TinyLady]

Ellie - yes, got my trusty wheat bag on my tummy. My back is really hurting too. Four of the six doses taken but I'm still a "waterfall" - persevering.... when the time comes I will remember your knees up advice... but no sign yet 😆

Madge - thank you for your kind words. I'm terrible for thinking it will be a nuisance or annoying people if I make a fuss or insist I am taken seriously... but sadly my gut is right every time.

Doug Carpenter glad my post will be helpful to others. Sad things have to get so bad before we are helped to find good solutions though.... I hope you are feeling much better? I'm on a massive dose of laxido until normality returns, then hopefully I can find a regular approach with much less drama....

I will let you all know when I finally make some progress!

[Maria C]

TinyLady So glad to hear that you are getting taken seriously. Next time please make a fuss before things get bad. We have enough to deal with without almost bursting a bowel.