Praying for an easy poo

September 10, 2012 2:50 PM

[BM-Filter] Best strategies for dealing with really painful constipation.

Excuse the details, this isn't the funnest question to post but I'm worried and really really not looking forward to my next poo. I'm trying to decide how to best a) loosen my stools b) keep whatever method that is from causing more pain in the meantime.

I've been constipated for the past few days, and the last two days my bowel movements have caused some, well, tearing I suppose. There's no blood in my stool, but there was blood when I wiped, so I know these way too large and hard duces are doing damage. I'm praying that I can take something that will make this go away, without causing me any more bleeding, or irritate what damage I have done anymore. (Or get an infection, I can't even begin to think what that would do.) What I have considered are stool softeners, laxatives, and/or enema. Natural things sound great for the future, but I want something I can take tonight to stop this.

I have no idea how bad this actually is, but I'm praying it's something I can treat at home, since in five minutes I'm hopping in the car for a five hour trip to see my long distance girlfriend for her birthday, and I don't want to ruin that with a problem like this.

Please hope me.

posted by trogdole to health & fitness (30 answers total)

Are you drinking two litres of water ever day? Seriously, you should be. If you're that constipated, your body isn't getting enough water out of your poos, and any remedies you use will maybe help temporarily but not solve the problem.

Eat a bunch of fruit, especially melon, and a lot of food with fibre, like bran. The fruit will work fairly quickly, by the next day I think. If that doesn't work, drink some castor oil or mineral oil or saltwater (not salty enough to puke! Make it taste like tears and drink it slowly, if it makes you feel puky, dilute it!). Any of those three will act as a laxative quite rapidly. If you drink super-strong, coffee, that can ge things going too, usually within an hour. But seriously, drink some frigging water. It sounds like you desperately need it.
posted by windykites at 3:00 PM on September 10, 2012

First, drink more water.

Are you pushing to straining to poo?

Don't do that. Distract yourself from the pooping and let your digestive system do the work Sit on the loo with a book and read. You're not going anywhere till you've read 10 (or 20 or 30) pages, whether you poop or not. Light a candle. Play solitaire on your smart phone. Listen to classical music.
posted by bilabial at 3:04 PM on September 10, 2012

"Mush and push" is the mantra for dealing with constipation. For "mush" you need a stool softener; for "push" you need a laxative. An over-the-counter senna combined with docusate sodium product is what you need. You might combine it with a glycerin suppository in case you have some compacted hard feces blocking the rectal vestibule.
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:14 PM on September 10, 2012 [3 favorites]

And occasional bleeding from passing hard bowel movements isn't something to worry about in terms of "doing damage," though it's something to be concerned about if it's constant over the long term.
posted by Sidhedevil at 3:15 PM on September 10, 2012

Beans! And lots of water with beans. I used to have this problem when I was younger, and my Mum used to do laxatives, which you can do, you know, Metamucil or stool softeners, it's okay to try them as long as you don't rely on them for everyday. But at the time, I was eating a lot of junk food and having similar issues.

Now I try to put onions in with every meal, and some veg. And if it seems slow, I add beans.

It's not joke: I remember being in you situation. There is also some herbal prep for bowels, but it's basically fiber or the same ingredients in Metamucil, which = beans. Eat lots and drink lots of water, get the stool softener meds because it will break up your hardness, so to speak (aka Dulcolax).

So sorry for your pain, I know it's really hard and difficult, no pun intended. I went through this a lot in my younger years and it's really painful. I got off the Hamburger Helper that was my growing up fare and onto soups and meals with real vegs and now I seem to go too much, if that helps, but it's better than what you're going through now. Dulcolax in the short term.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 3:16 PM on September 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

Go to the drugstore and get yourself some Citrucel. I was having some painful constipation and general upset-tummy feelings a while back, and my dad (a doctor) told me that Citrucel is the only laxative that won't give you gas or the runs. It's a "bulk" laxative. He said that the powder (mix with water) is more effective than the capsules, but I've actually taken both and the capsules worked just fine, and might be easier for you if you are going out of town and trying to be discreet.
posted by radioamy at 3:17 PM on September 10, 2012

Miralax is an over the counter medication you can buy at the drugstore. It's a powder you mix with water, my understanding is that unlike some other stool softeners and laxatives, it's not physically habit-forming so it's okay to use it whenever you need it. You can read more about how it works at the link. It's very gentle.

I would avoid stimulant laxatives, even the "natural" ones if possible - you don't want them to suddenly hit when you're in the car with no bathroom in sight. If you hit the right dosage they can be gentle, but if you accidentally take a little bit more than your body needs, it can be very unpleasant.
posted by insectosaurus at 3:21 PM on September 10, 2012 [3 favorites]

Seconding the beans/lentils/whatever and water. It actually is the type of thing that, if you eat them for dinner, you should be able to go the next day.

Also grapes.
posted by fromageball at 3:24 PM on September 10, 2012

I find that prunes, Fletcher's Castoria, and copious amounts of coffee seem to work well on such issues. Feel better!
posted by These Birds of a Feather at 3:24 PM on September 10, 2012

When I was on post-surgery Percocet, I had some constipation and the pharmacist said stool softeners were safe to take (compared to the more risky laxatives) particularly for a problem that may last more than a day or two.
posted by vegartanipla at 3:26 PM on September 10, 2012

When I was on post-surgery Percocet, I had some constipation and the pharmacist said stool softeners were safe to take

Ditto! Colace is what you want (that's the brand name; the generic brand will be fine, too, of course).
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 3:28 PM on September 10, 2012 [2 favorites]

When you are on the toilet, instead of straining, put your feet up on something slightly higher than the floor. I never believed this worked (after seeing some nutritionist/poo-specialist woman on TV talk about it), but it totally helps get things going.
posted by xingcat at 3:36 PM on September 10, 2012

I'm a board-certified* butt doctor, and I prescribe the following:

- 1 can of baked beans per day OR a one-third cup serving of All Bran Buds every morning (or both, if you feel adventurous)
- At least half an hour of walking about every day
- At least a liter of water every day over and above anything else you might drink

This regimen has made pooping a thing of... well, not joy per se, but not a miserable experience at any rate.

Now, none of this helps you today, so get some Miralax or whatever and start on my patented poop prescription. For a better (and less bloody) tomorrow.

*Ouija
posted by Sternmeyer at 3:37 PM on September 10, 2012 [2 favorites]

Room temperature water (plenty of it), flax, oat bran, fruit and veggies. Also, massage your abdomen to help relax the intestines and help pass things along. It really does help.
posted by i_wear_boots at 3:39 PM on September 10, 2012

Ditto for putting your feet up a bit. Also for being hydrated, taking stool softeners and Miralax (it works!), also medicated wipes if it's hurting. Witch hazel wipes are very soothing. Try to relax too, which is hard, but helps.
posted by kendrak at 3:40 PM on September 10, 2012

If you are taking any antibiotic Rx, you need something like Activia to reinstate the friendly bacteria necessary for your system. Activia is not a bad idea for a happier digestive system.

The advice above about the necessity of drinking lots of water is basic. Fresh fruit is helpful: pears, apples, etc. You are aware of your bowel movements or lack thereof. When an unproductive day goes by, have some Metamucil or similar on hand.
posted by Cranberry at 3:40 PM on September 10, 2012

Why not an enema?
posted by JayRwv at 4:00 PM on September 10, 2012

Miralax - won't cause gas, cramps, the runs, etc., plus it's almost impossible to overdo (seriously, my pediatrician even recommended giving Wee Little Thumbscrew a Big Honkin' Dose of it!). Also, an enema isn't the worst thing on earth, but DO NOT!!! do the mineral oil kind - I once did, and there were some, ummmmn, residual oil issues which were embarrassing and unpleasant. Saline all the way.
posted by julthumbscrew at 4:13 PM on September 10, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thirding water enema. Sorry for the grossness, but: If you add fiber or a laxative at this point, it could help with the poo that is further up the intestine. But that still leaves the part that is nearing the end. You've seen a cork come out of a champagne bottle? Yep, that would be uncomfortable. Enema, on the other hand, will basically make the poo a liquid and very easy to pass. Plus, no waiting -- just a few minutes and then it's all comfortably over.

However, water not oil enema. If you use an oil enema, you'll leak later as everything is all lubed up and it's impossible to soap out. After this is over, then follow the fiber/water/etc. tips. Senna is also excellent for this, as a post-enema trick to keep this problem from recurring.
posted by Houstonian at 4:21 PM on September 10, 2012

Fleet disposable saline enemas are simple to use and available in every drugstore.
posted by Sidhedevil at 4:25 PM on September 10, 2012

I had constipation issues after the birth of my second child that were AGONIZING.

What you want to do is take a glycerine suppository. Yes, it is weird and gross, but it will help things tremendously. If that doesn't do it, then you want a saline enema. If this is an ongoing problem, then try Miralax + more water.
posted by KathrynT at 5:19 PM on September 10, 2012

A salt water bath can help, or even just a shower. It helps with the hydration issue everyone is mentioning.

Other natural helpers:
Apple sauce, aloe vera drinks, extra starchy potato soup, magnesium supplements, and organic yogurt (it has more variety of flora than most yogurts).

Also: coconut anything, palm oil, ghee

Best of luck.
posted by Michele in California at 5:20 PM on September 10, 2012

If you have the flexibility and balance to squat on the toilet seat while pushing instead of sitting, or access to a squat toilet, you'll have an easier time of pushing and less likelihood of developing hemorrhoids.
posted by telegraph at 6:25 PM on September 10, 2012

Dried cherries work for me and they get at the stuff that is waiting to go, not just the parts earlier in your intestines. They don't make me gassy like fiber-added foods to. You could maybe combine those or some other fibery, natural food with the enema/etc. recommended above.
posted by ramenopres at 6:53 PM on September 10, 2012

OK, since other people are all over the map, I'm going to give you the emergency department order of priorities for constipation treatment (at least this is the way I do it). Since you have used nothing yet, I see no reason why you should skip to an advanced step, and also, you risk swinging the pendulum in the other direction, if you know what I mean, if you get too aggressive.

1. Hydration and diet stuff, I think you're past this stage although certainly it doesn't hurt.
2. Stool softeners
3. Laxatives
(Both stool softeners and laxatives can have their dosing increased several levels upwards in an attempt to get results. I would not worry about the laxatives being habit forming unless this is a chronic problem for you)
4. Glycerin suppositories
5. Fleet's enema
( Both suppositories and Fleet's enemas are available over the counter).
6. Full on enemas, we usually use either tap water or milk and molasses. Yes, milk and molasses.
7. If nothing else works, manual disimpaction by a doctor is a last resort! I sure hope you don't get there.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 6:54 PM on September 10, 2012

Drink lots of water. Go for a good walk, at least a half an hour. When you sit on the loo don't strain and try and force it out, relax and just let your body move things a long as it will. If that doesn't work try an enema or the suppositories are supposed to be good. I'd avoid laxatives until you get this problem solved or you are just going to end up backing up the problem.

Once you have the problem sorted try to stay hydrated and get a little exercise every day to avoid a repeat.
posted by wwax at 8:17 PM on September 10, 2012

Oh yeah definitely walk around, that helps move things around.
posted by radioamy at 8:18 PM on September 10, 2012

Suffered my whole life. Only thing that works for me is coffee (I don't drink it that much so maybe thats why it works so well), canned wax beans, shredded wheat and last resort: 2 doses of Milk of Magnesia.
A lot of people swear by Miralax (including my doctor) but doesn't seem to help me even with double doses. Same with stool softeners. And can't bring myself to try any of the "up the ass" solutions.
posted by KogeLiz at 4:20 AM on September 11, 2012

One final data point: an acquaintance of mine who is a former hardcore opiate addict mentioned this. Opiate users get amazingly, horrifically constipated - the drugs themselves are constipating, plus, you know, when you're on heroin, you're not as concerned with your digestive health as you OUGHT to be. Anyhow, she said that the go-to remedy of painfully blocked-up addicts was chugging half a bottle of mineral oil. The results didn't sound pleasant (I think the term "greased rocks" was employed), but they DID sound rather effective.
posted by julthumbscrew at 6:36 AM on September 11, 2012

If you are just looking to get past this immediate problem, you could try going through the preparation procedure for a colonoscopy. Here is a .pdf.

Don't do it unless you are otherwise healthy. It's a bit extreme, but I guarantee you'll be clear when it's done.
posted by dzot at 6:39 AM on September 11, 2012