Faecal Impaction

[barry1010]

The heading should be enough to warn you that this is not going to be a pleasant post, certainly not smelling of a bed of roses. Those who are tickle tummed should avoid.

I had my first experience of this last night. I hadn't realised I was constipated and had not been feeling uncomfortable. I woke around 1am and went to the toilet. I was stuck on that loo for nearly 4 hours, unable to get off and in a lot of pain. I had to resort to asking my wife to bring me the disposable gloves and a bowl of hot soapy water.

The websites tell me I should not have done this myself. I hope it doesn't happen again but if it does, what should I do? There is no way I could have sat down anywhere but the loo.

[Buenchico]

Not that it's particularly important but I see that my Laxido link got corrupted because I failed to leave a space between it and the following comma.

Here's the stuff I used (and am happy to recommend):
http://www.lloydspharmacy.com/en/laxido-orange-powder-30-sachets
(It's out of stock on that website but almost any pharmacist will have it, I'm sure).

[ubasses]

If you cannot get Laxado ask for Cosmocol, it is exactly the same. Once it has worked you can take a maintenance dose of a sachet every day. My consultant rectologist told me to never take senna.

[woofgang]

laxido and cosmocol have the same active ingredient as movicol, the ingredient is called macrogol and is an osmotic laxative...same as plant water crystals only DO NOT use those lol. If you are going to use any of the osmotic type laxatives then drink plenty. They will draw water into the bowel and hold it there and if you haven't plenty of fluid in your system then they can cause dehydration.

[woofgang]

the straight poop (ha ha on laxatives)
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/constipation.html

[pixie374]

I haven't read the whole thread yet, but something like movicol might help for now. It's worth speaking to the Pharmacist, or GP if it happens regularly, in case there is an underlying problem. Water, fruit juice etc should all help.

[woofgang]

barry, I have just read your post to sqad.....was it just faecal matter protruding or was there a covering of tissue....was your bowel actually prolapsing?

[jno]

in theory, dannyk, but it was about eight years ago and hasn't recurred. As I have no idea what caused it in the first place, it's a bit like planning to prevent a flat tyre recurring: I just don't know how to do it, so I cross my fingers.

[Sqad]

Barry..... woofgang makes a good point.
Have you been constipated for months or years?

[barry1010]

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I am most relieved that other people here have experienced the same thing.

As I have no reason to believe that I have an ongoing problem with constipation I am not going to start taking any form of laxative regularly. I have ordered some to keep on standby, just in case.

Woofgang, it was definitely faecal matter that was protruding. The outside felt exactly like sun baked earth - dry, hard and crusty. I saw no evidence of blood and have this morning been to the toilet normally and without discomfort.

I think I was probably constipated for a long time but passing just enough regularly so that I didn't notice.

Thanks again for all the advice and reassurance. I am hoping it was a one off.

[Sqad]

Barry.. I think that you have taken a very sensible and practical attitude to your problem which I hope may be a one off.

[fiction-factory]

If it happened again I wonder whether sitting in a warm bath might help?
I had a similar one-off problem just after lockdown started, with constipation lasting around 7-8 days. Nothing protruding but a very uncomfortable pressure feeling. I always eat plenty of fruit and veg , bran and drink water so I'm not sure what caused it. I tried natural senna tablets but they had no effect. I tried lots of prunes, orange juice, high bran cereal, oats, but no luck. I tried exercise (do lots anyway) but I was afraid to walk/run too far as I kept getting false alarms.
I then got a craving for milk of magnesia - a memory from childhood- and also syrup of figs. I went out and bought both and within 24 hours the matter was cleared up.

I'm surprised PP hasn't been on suggesting asking a mathematician- they work it out with a pencil

[tiggerblue10]

When I had similar during pregnancy I ended up with piles due to the pressure. Hopefully you won't get this but it may be a good idea to keep some hemorrhoid treatment handy as well.

[barry1010]

If it happens again, FF, I hope I'm welcome at your house as I have no bath.

[pastafreak]

Stomach massage helps. I know, it sounds bizzarre, but I read about this a few years ago, so decided to try it. It worked...so useful to know if you haven't got any suitable treatment in the medicine cabinet.

https://www.healthline.com/health/massage-for-constipation-relief

[Mamyalynne]

Agree with Pasta re the massage, always clockwise remember, however as Sqad said you dealt with your predicament in the only way you could Barry.

[Scarlett]

You can buy Lactulose at Boots- have a bit of that every day, alongside Laxido which you dissolve in water. Both are stool softeners and won't cause explosions or surprises. It will keep things moving. Also drink more water and make sure you are eating enough fibre especially veg.