constipation, any advice from my symptoms?
I have been constipated, off an on for the last 2 weeks. Used a fleet enema for the first time and i never felt the "urge" (like it says on the box) to go so i had to force the liquid out, and some stool came out about about 1/2 hr later. i started forcing myself to go every morning (even though i normally go every 2 or 3 days), and the stool was not much but at least it was soft. Recently one morning i couldn’t make myself go and all i did was worry i would get constipated again. that evening i tried to go and my stool was super hard again and i couldn’t pass it (how did i get constipated in just one day?).
I went an got an x-ray, and it said there were no obstructions but increased fecal matter in the rectal vault clinical correction needed, bladder slightly distended. i have insurance from my university and the student health center was closed, so i went home and used another fleet enema last night. i keep the liquid in me over 5 minutes but still felt no urge to go and i hated the feeling it gave me so i just sat on the toilet and let the liquid come out, about 5-10 mins later some super hard stool came sliding out, but it wasn’t alot. i expected to need to pass more stool but none came then i went as swallowed a stool softener. today morning i sat on the toilet and some water came out, i dunno if it was from the enema or just water i drank or something. I also feel gassy and bloated sometimes and it says on the x ray report somethng about gas but says its non obstructive. my doctor doesn’t seem to be that good, she just tells me to eat soft foods and i havent been eating all that much lately. I have an appointment w/ GI specialist but it isn’t for 5 days, is there any advice anyone can give me? My mom told me to drink some prune juice right now, does that stuff cause painful cramps or something? i am contemplating trying that.
i have been drinking like 2-3 bottles of deer park water a day and some ginger ale, i don’t know if water intake is a huge issue
im afraid to try prune juice because i think it will cause cramping and what if my stool is still to hard to pass?
4 comments
Glycerin suppositories are gross to use, but they may be more helpful. Also drinking mineral oil. These will both soften the stool.
In the meantime, take a probiotic supplement like Acidophilus or Multi-dophilus. They will restore the bacterial balance in your intestines - the "dophilus" supplements are good bacteria and will help you digest your food better, and you should see some improvement soon (though maybe not instantly). These are getting really popular - people are even giving them to their pets.
Don’t take miralax, it has such a bad reputation for side-effects.
The safest and most effective remedies are all "up the butt" - not what you wanna hear I know, but…take an enema or suppository depending on how blocked-up you are.
A stool softener daily will not hurt you so long as it does not have a stimulant laxative in it. The best thing to do to correct this is change your habits.
- Eat foods that are naturally fibrous like beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- drink 6 or more glasses of water per day
- exercise by walking, running or ridding a bike 30 to 40 minutes 3 to 4 days per week.
- set aside some toilet time daily
Avoid laxatives as they lead to laxative dependency. Fleet enemas should not be used regularly as the active ingredient is sodium phosphate which works by drawing liquid through the colon wall into the colon to soften the stool and stimulate peristaltic contractions in the colon. The reason you passed water was it was drawn into the colon by the enema. That same action can eventually lead to renal failure (kidney).
When all else fails some resort to a 1 to 2 quart warm water bag enema. You should add 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt per quart to the solution so as to make the solution isotonic and not have too much of the liquid absorbed by the body. The pH differential is what cause the water to transfer through the colon wall. See your GI doc first to get directions from a professional. Warm water enemas do not create a physical dependency; however, they have been know to cause a psychological dependence in some.
Constipation can oftentimes be caused by dehydration so you need to increase your intake of water. Not cola or other beverages… water.
That being said though, it may sound contradictory but yes, the prune juice will likely help. It will take a bit, sometimes up to 24 hours, but it will aid in this situation.
Another thing that will help is a product available at walmart or similar store is called "mira-lax" you mix it with water (or maybe your prune juice) and be sure to drink plenty of water. It won’t cause cramping or anything but will help immensely.
Senokot is another helpful herbal remedy. I have found however that it causes "tummy rumbles", not really cramping but just uncomfortable.
Leave a Comment