Please help!!! i am so scared

Submitted by Mishek on July 16, 2011 - 10:42pm
Body: 

I am so scared that this poop will never come out (very distressed) I was doing so well with my bowels for the last couple of months. i was having a bm every day no problems passing, and now for the last week i am having difficulties. I eat really really well no junk food at all, i walk and exercise gently, drink water and live in correct posture, lots of fruit and veg, don't do any lifting at all and do everything that i'm supposed to do, and i don't know what is wrong or what to do. The last week or so my bm was very loose so i added some white rice, crumpets and milk arrowroot bisciuts a little at a time just to firm up. I don't know if that was the cause of it. The other night i stayed up till midnight (5 hours) reading older posts re this issue in order to help myself. My first symptom of pop 3 months ago was severe constipation but i didn't know what it was then. My stools ( the little that i managed to pass then, were very loose and runny. Then my Physio told me to eat a little of the binding foods just to firm up and bring it all together like the carriages of a train, so a bit of help from sometimes caster oil and other times Coloxl i managed to get back to normal. Now it's happened again but i think worse this time as i took castor oil with some orange a few days ago and i only went a little instead of emptying out like i usually do, so last night i took 3 Coloxl thinking that it would solve my problem as it has done in the past but i only passed a small amount (very soft and loose)Type 6 on the "Bristol Stool Form Scale".
The urge can keep coming and going for hours but nothing happens.
I don't know if it is food related so just in case i have taken a break from wheat even though i'm not normally allergic to it. I know i have to eat but at the same time i'm scared of putting it in when it is so hard to get it out:( Please anyone who is having or has had this problem let me know what you have done to overcome it. I am so frightened and i know i musn't worry as it will make it worse. Will it improve and go back to normal? This is not a good way to live and i am so miserable.

fab

July 17, 2011 - 2:40am

Dear Mishek

Diarrhea means too much water in the stool. Castor oil and oranges and lots of fibre may have pushed through your large colon at an accelerated rate, so that the stool did not have time to dry out. Does this mean that you have hard stools as well as soft, watery stools?

For hard stools that you cannot pass: As an emergency measure you could take an enema. Microlax is a gentle one. It comes in a 5ml applicator and should relieve the constipation within 30 minutes. Some people say that it is a small dose for an adult, so it is possible, although probably not necessary, to take a second one some hours later. It contains sodium citrate 450mg, sodium lauryl sulfoacetate 45mg, sorbitol 3.125 g as well as glycerol, Sorbic acid and water. So if you are worried about which chemicals are involved, you can check them out.

It’s probably most comfortable to insert the enema after you have applied a lubricant and then lay down for the half hour or sooner until the urge comes to defecate. If you are concerned for leakage place a towel under your lower half, just so you can relax.

What you have to do is start things moving ( teaching grandma how to suck eggs here) but you could try to massage your large colon by pushing gently with your hands along the large colon, starting from your right side, up and across and down on your left. I sometimes find hard pockets of wind or stool and the massaging breaks them up and gets things moving.

Once you fix things, I agree that it would be worthwhile having another look at things. You mention taking Coloxyl which is the laxative of choice of many hospitals, but it is none the less an irritant laxative as is Coloxyl with senna. A more suitable laxative for women with POP is Coloxyl 120 which contains docusate sodium which is a stool softener rather than an irritant. You have mentioned taking in fibre (another irritant) as well as the laxative, both of which require lots more water, maybe more water than you can comfortably drink. Also many doctors will tell you that castor oil is only suitable for oiling bikes!

There is a line of thought about the negative aspects of fibre which if you would like we can discuss when you have beaten this present demon.

It is possible to have both hard stools and leaking, watery stools. If this is what is happening to you then it is a very uncomfortable situation, and it is very difficult not to panic a bit. Some women have mentioned digging out the hard stool with their finger when it has lodged in the rectum. Others say you should go to your doctor.

Best wishes for speedy health

kiwigirl

July 17, 2011 - 4:55am

Hi Mishek, so sorry to hear of your distress. Ive just logged on and seen your post and thought I'd mention Slippery Elm powder.A friend gave me some of hers recently, which she'd bought at a health shop.Ive had problems this week too.I couldn't remember how much to take so I took 1/2 tsp in a little warm water to make a runny paste. Although I think she said one can take it in juice.It worked for me in 30minutes, although I thought it still helped over the next day or so as i went several times more from that first dose.She gave it to me when we were away together, usually when a lot of women have constipation problems with long travel and long days.
It sounds like your system is overloaded at the moment.Hopefully others will give you a reply too and you can decide what to do.
I really prefer natural where possible. So think about the Slippery Elm.Im thinking it was about 1 tbs she gave me originally in a little juice.As hard as it seems, if you can try to relax, it would help, as worry can do all sorts of things to our bodies as we find with our POP.
I was sick recently with a virus and remembered reading here about having an apple before bed. As I didn't feel like eating I was worried what would happen with bm's so had a peeled apple every day, a herbal tea, a glass or 2 of water and a little home made vege soup.And had no problems then.
I hope this is some help to you and wish you a speedy recovery, with love Kiwigirl xx

alemama

July 17, 2011 - 7:18am

My son enjoys eating this. I read that it can help with tummy aches so I started giving it to him. It's actually fascinating stuff. The wikipedia article I read about it told a story of soldiers surviving on only slippery elm. It is filling and somewhat nutritious. It makes a slime kind of like chia seeds.
So sorry you are dealing with this weird constipation. I've read that you can have a blockage that loose stool will leak around. No fun.
In the short term an enema is probably your best bet. Long term you might consider high doses of vitamin C and also magnesium.
I know this is sort of controversial but you could try avoiding grains for a while and see if that helps.
If you are concerned about eating, then just eat soups and smoothies for a while.
Chia seeds and flax seeds are good for the bowels. Warm compresses to the abdomen feel nice and sometimes move things along.
abdominal massage (look it up though because there is a certain way to go about it) may be helpful.
most of all, relax! stress binds you right up. This is a set back for sure, but it will be over soon and you will be back on track.

Mishek

July 17, 2011 - 9:31pm

Thankyou Fab, Kiwigirl and Alemama. Firsy of all Fab, I will surely start having the massages as it sounds like it could be very helpful. Also the Coloxl 120, my stools are already too soft but not watery but i will keep it in mind if i ever have hard stools. dh gave me a massage last night but of course it would'nt have been done the right way. Also had an idea to eat a small amount of baked beans which i never have but had read it on an older post, and i managed to pass a few hours later, not a lot but enough to make me more comfortable. It was probably also helped along by the coloxl that i took 24 hours proir. My stools are always soft but not watery and therefore not complete.(fluffy pieces with ragged edges,a mushy stool)) as explained on the ''Bristol Stool Form Scale'' It is available from the Physio. Should i cut down on my liquids? i have about four 250mls/8oz glasses of water throughout the day and i think anymore would be too much considering my very soft stools plus it's winter time here.
Kiwigirl, i had heard of Slippery elm powder in the past through reading books but didn't take much notice as at the time i was in no need, but i will surely have a look at that too. when you took it were your stools hard or soft?
Alemama I cannot take grain or seeds as they bloat me right up. When i was adding one tblp of ground linseed on my porridge i noticed that i had a heavy dragging feeling in my rectum and i still don't know if it was part and parcel of having pop or the seed so i cut it down to 1/4 tspn and the dragging feeling has gone. I will most certainly try the warm compresses and abdominal massage which i will look up in order to do it properly. The castor oil idea was dh's as he suffered badly from constipation for many years as a child so he coaxed it on me.This is rather interesting: When he became an adult, a cist was discovered in one testicle and after it's removal was the end of his constipation. He said that the cist was dragging everything down and preventing a bm - a bit like our pop i'de say!! We are all so fortunate to be able to bounce ideas and gather information from each other. The support that is available on this site is fantastic. Thankyou ladies for your most helpful replies. Thanks to Christine and if it wasn't for technology this site could not possibly exist - how awful that would be!!
All my love to you all x
Mishek

first

kiwigirl

July 18, 2011 - 2:16am

Hi again Mishek, re: your question..'was my stool soft or hard 'when I took Slippery Elm powder....definitely hard! That's why I took it this week.I have been having a few constipation problems after my recent virus although I was fine during it.But now my eating is back to normal Im having constipation again. The slippery elm enabled me to have a bm.My pop has been right out with this, and I thought I might tear.So Im being extra careful now. I've had the bm then there is no pressure. I think its the rectocele. Although I think I have them all.I'll get my head around the terms one day :-)
Btw I usually take nothing , some recommend metamucil regularly, I don't want to, as I think long term it then makes your own bowel sluggish/lazy.Once in a while would be okay probably.

Mishek

July 18, 2011 - 3:21am

Oh dear! am i the only one here with soft stool constipation? I will have my Slippery Elm powder here soon.:)I phoned up my Health shop this morning to make sure they had some. I just hope it works for the soft as well. My pop has been low today too, due to the heavy rectum i presume, so once i empty out i should feel more comfy. i have just done some inversion to help it go up as i haven't done any for a few days. i find this pop business is a full time job - an unpleasant job, working from home is what it feels like - taking up all my time. Too uncomfortable to go anywhere:(
I agree with you re the Metamucil, i can have some in the pantry and it will sit there for a few years. I have only had this problem since having pop. If i sometimes had constipation before pop it was easy to remedy.All i had to do was drink a little more water and it would bring on a bm. Good to hear you're now over your virus.
I really don't like doing the fire breathing when i'm constipated so haven't done any for a few days, so that explains the low pop. But maybe i should do some regardless as it is very effective.

Mishek

July 18, 2011 - 3:26am

Yes Fab i would be interested in hearing about the neg aspects of fibre when i get through this difficult period. Many thanks.

Mishek

July 18, 2011 - 7:58pm

I have just had great relief from this powder. I took it lastnight after tea and emptied completely this morning. It is better than anything i have ever tried. Feeling normal again.I was so worried as i couldn't understand why soft stools were not passing, but this powder seems to normalise everything. It normalises hard stools as well as soft stools. I thought there was something wrong with me but now i am happy.I read here on an older thread how many were having the same problem as me, when the stool moves down to the bottom and then just won't budge. So i hope those in need are all reading this and are able to get some relief. It is completely natural and is like a food - i am so excited to have found it thanks to prayers, Kiwigirl and alemama.

kiwigirl

July 18, 2011 - 9:34pm

Great news and hooray for Slippery Elm,I'll tell the friend who recommended it, when I see her this week.Though she has no pop, and wonders what I'm talking about when I tell her lol.
I'm sooo... pleased for you :-)
I was thinking about you this morning and meant to say I do have soft bm as well as hard :-( just have to remember to eat my apples as I forget for a few days.So eg I can go to the loo, and if the stool is hard then the pop is hanging half out(or that's what it seems). I don't panic now as I know when the stool is soft then there is no hang out when I go to the loo. Im not sure of your age,, (post meno for me) but I can't do without Bliss Balm, I make my own version quite easily in my kitchen.I need to use that at least x2 daily. I'll tell you more if you want to make it. It acts to moisturise the internal areas and around where I was cut for having my babies. Stops those areas getting very dry and stops any further problems, well it is working for me ;-)

Mishek

July 19, 2011 - 6:46pm

I am always soft and i don't know which is worse, i think one is as bad as the other, i just need to know how to firm up. When the stool is super soft it can't pass as it doesn't all come together to form a solid piece.This morning i was back to my extra soft problem:( I was so happy yesterday morning when i had a normal bm just like old times then as the day wore on i began to feel discomfort in the rectum because it was empty, so when it's full it's uncomfortable and when it's empty it's also uncomfortable so can't win. I'm post menopausal too. 62yrs young. I have been eating 2 apples per day plus lots of vege. dh keeps buying apples for me - i said to him "no more apples i have enough here to sink a battleship" I also think that in my case, to much fibre could be causing loose stools maybe i need to add some binding foods to my diet. Oh this is so time consuming - i miss my old life!! Your home made bliss balm sounds very helpful and if i should ever have that issue i will definately ask you for the recipe but for now i have the opposite problem. I will also let my Physio know about Slippery Elm as she said that she has patients who haven't had a bm for a week or more. i think it should be advertised on every Medical person's desk. BTW do you think that this powder will make the bowel lazy if taken periodically? how often on an average do you take it? sorry for the questions:)

kiwigirl

July 20, 2011 - 3:29am

Mishek I don't take it very often. I only heard about it a few months ago when travelling with a group of dance friends.And one friend has lots of weekends away and always takes it , just in case.We had been car travelling for 12 hours,dancing for 3days and then the return 12hour trip, so pretty hard to go to the loo when one needs to, plus 4 women sharing one toilet at the motel.I survived the trip sitting in posture with a small cushion low at my back and it worked.More tiredness catching up on the last quarter leg home.
I wouldn't take the slippery elm all the ,if not needed.And you may be right you might be overloading your system, See if you can take take a step back and look at what you are eating and doing eg just have 1 apple per day. I now find that I can't eat too much fruit, it upsets my tummy. I probably eat more veges in soup and at dinner.Im fine with a banana, and apple and possibly 1 mandarin.I might have 2 days with lots of grapes but then 5 days of none.An apple a day, a banana every other day or less, and then maybe a kiwifruit.Sometimes tinned fruit or dried fruit.Not sure if I have answered all your questions.....ohh and back to what might help, I think cheese binds, you could have a little of that however you fancy. Just plain cheese on crackers or melted on toast.Stop and ask your body what it feels like, it may have it's own message;-) we underestimate our bodies at times and don't listen to its messages.Hope this helps.

bad_mirror

July 20, 2011 - 9:19am

Hi, I notice that you do not mention taking a probiotic -- if you are not, then this may help tremendously. It is my understanding that type 6 stool is the result of not enough water being reabsorbed by the bowel. Too much fiber, bowel inflammation, osmotic laxatives, increased motility due to stress or medications, and some conditions in which you have elevated potassium due to medication or diet are associated. Maybe some things to consider as you investigate a way to resolve your discomfort . . . ? Hope you are feeling more comfortable soon!

Mishek

July 20, 2011 - 7:56pm

Yes Kiwigirl, thanks so much you have been a great help to me. I am very greatful for your advice and time. Stay well!!
Mishek

Mishek

July 20, 2011 - 8:13pm

Hi bad_mirror and thanks for replying. No i'm not taking a probiotic but i do have a llittle of the natural yogurt - the one with billions of live cultures,about every second day and i've just started having it, although i've had it on and off in the past. i actually thought it was the other way around, that maybe there was too much water being reabsorbed by the bowel, hence the soft stool. I will try a probiotic and see if it will firm me up. i really appreciate your comment on this and it's great that we can all advise and help each other. Thankyou so much.

bad_mirror

July 20, 2011 - 10:10pm

Glad to be of some help. Yes, mushy stool means more water in the stool, not enough being pulled out and back into the body. Vice versa for hard stool. If yogurt is your probiotic source, it is recommended to eat at least 8oz every day, especially if you take meds that upset natural intestinal flora, i.e. antibiotics or laxatives. Probiotics also come in pill form, if you are not into the yogurt, and there are other good fermented foods you can add to your diet. Our society has become so microbe-phobic, we forget how absolutely instrumental "good bugs" are for our general health.

Mishek

July 21, 2011 - 2:04am

Does this mean i should be drinking more water?

louiseds

July 21, 2011 - 4:03am

Mishek, I think I would do one thing at a time. What colour is your urine? Dark urine is my sign that I need to drink more. I too believe that probiotics have a beneficial effect on 'not normal' stool. I take a course of Inner Health Plus a couple of times a year. I usually find an unexpected benefit with stool consistency after the month long course, which is one bottle.

Mishek

July 21, 2011 - 6:15pm

Yes i too go by the colour and it is nearly always light, if it starts to go a little dark, an extra glass of water fixes it. I am feeling much better today after a complete bm this morning followed by 4 tblsps of kidney beans yesterday. i may have found the answer to hopefully having a daily complete bm. THis is the second time i have had the beans and it's worked both times. Louise i have followed your advice on inversion and have been doing a lot more of it in the last 2 days - i will explain more about it in the main section. i appreciate your advice on the probiotics and will certainly consider it in order to achieve a firmer stool.

mom30

July 21, 2011 - 9:47pm

I take a probiotic every day in the morning with breakfast. I was dealing with the soft mushy stools too. I have found that if I eat a variety of vegetables, (not too many, but just enough) that helps make a complete bowel movement. I take the probiotic just to keep everything regularly going. Oh, the kind I take are the Swanson Vitamins Ultimate Probiotic Formula. They are the best ones I have found so far for the price.($14.99 for 30)

Mishek

July 21, 2011 - 10:41pm

Oh wow that's good to know and yes in the last couple of days i have been trying a little less friut and veg which has given me a better and more complete stool. I had a feeling that i may have been having too much fibre. Thankyou so much mom30, you and the other kind ladies have really been a great help. The up side to pop is that it is teaching us so much about our bodies and if we didn't have pop there would be no need to learn all this stuff. When we have the knowledge,we are able to help others whether they have pop or not. The probiotic is definately on my priority list:)

maria helena

July 22, 2011 - 12:37am

hi I have just joined the forum, the whole thing and what do I see: Kiwi girl. I am also living in New Zealand and do not know anyone here with this condition. It would be great to somehow get in contact, email etc. If you do not mind. All is okay. Maria Helena

louiseds

July 22, 2011 - 12:53am

Hi Maria helena

Just click on Kiwigirl's username at the top of one of her posts. This takes you to her profile. Click on the Contact tab. If she has allowed email you will get an email form. Type away. If not, then no email form will appear. BTW, the reason I am not asleep is that I am in Western Australia. :-)

Have a look at the Housekeeping Forum before you go too far. There are some useful tips and guidelines for a smooth Wholewoman experience.

You can find my story in the Experioenced Members' Stories Forum.

Louise