Embarrassing: Camping & Constipated

I always have this problem when I go anywhere, even in a rented apartment with family that don’t live with me. I find proper wholemeal bread helps me more than anything. Many years ago I stayed in hospital with my six month old baby for a fortnight. The toilets were outside the ward, and worse, there were gaps above and below the door! We had to use the on call doctors quarters for a shower and I couldn’t go up there either. It was a nightmare. When we arrived back home I got the urge to go literally minutes after getting in the house and suffice to say all was well after that.

Less than sympathetic post Agranbytheendofsummer if we feel like this then that's how it is, not ridiculous at all. People have all sorts of hang ups and sharing the problem often helps.

Lisagran

Agranbytheendofthesummer - you’ve clearly never experienced this embarrassing and painful situation. It isn’t something you choose to worry about - it just happens.

Of course I’ve been constipated, had to use toilets at shops, work, festivals, at other people’s houses; what I can’t understand is the embarrassment people (or actually, usually women) feel at performing a natural function.
Setting an alarm to go to the toilet early before anyone else is up; not having a pee, never mind the other, if anyone is in an adjoining cubicle; not wanting to use a friend’s toilet - frankly ridiculous (unless a mental health issue is at play).
Rant over.

Phew! So relieved that you have had success!

Just popped in to see how the OP was doing, and glad to hear that she is now relieved.

As a fellow sufferer, although intermittent, I sympathise.

So glad to hear that the eagle has landed Rach I know someone who suffers from IBS so swings from one extreme to the other. I was on chemo around five years ago and I've been fighting constipation ever since. Good job I like fruit.

Rachb you were lucky there! Did you really go a week without going? If you were in hospital it would have been enema time! Also fascinated at how many replies you got, though it doesn't look as if people read previous posts as they suggest the same tips!

Glad to hear you are sorted out now. I remember getting severe constipation on a camping holiday in France while breast feeding my second child. It was due severe dehydration on camping holidays due to the hot weather and not drinking enough to allow for the extra fluid needed to produce breast milk. Loads of plain water with a laxative followed by an early morning strong black coffee eventually sorted me out. But it was worse than childbirth!

Since then I have been very careful to remain hydrated on holiday particularly while outdoors in hot weather.

Hooray! That must have felt wonderful. Well done.

oh dear - but honestly, if it persists, do go and get checked. For the time being. enjoy the freedom.

I finally managed to have a poo last night - although it was an epic struggle!

First we got home and the urge that has been annoying me all week vanished and I didn't need to go. It finally returned after several cups of coffee.

Then I went and sat on the toilet - looking forward to finally getting relief and... nothing happened! 40 minutes later my bowel remained full and the toilet remained empty

Tried again later - this time for an hour and finally... relief!

Thanks everyone for your help with my worst case of constipation ever!

I heard that one on the radio about 50 odd years ago, and it went like this: Has the bottom fallen out of your world? Take Andrews Liver Salts and let the world fall out of your bottom. I could not stop laughing, so much so that it got a bit embarrassing, you know - a real schoolgirl-like fit of the giggles!

Some graffiti I encountered decades ago in the loo at a residential training course:-

“When I came to B**** I thought the bottom had dropped out of my world. Now I find the world has dropped out of my bottom”.

Sounds like camping just isn't the ideal holiday for some! After a few days you must feel so uncomfortable that it can't really be a relaxing form of holiday. Not good for your bowels either. ?

I used to go camping and canoeing every year with a large group of friends. We would stay for 3 or 4 days over a long weekend. My best friend confessed years later that she could not poo the entire time, every single year. I guess it's a camping thing! You're not alone. I would get something to help things along if you're going to be there more than a couple of days. Prunes and pears are good natural ones.

My son had this and bowel stopped working. Ended up in hospital in severe pain. They tried everything senza, enemas etc but nothing worked. Then they gave something called fleet (apparently used for colonoscopy) which worked in less than an hour. Sent home and told eat nothing but fruit for a week to restart the bowel

Fybogel is great - it isn't absorbed into your system, and is a plant husk product that seems to hurry everything along when the system has ground to a halt. Pears work very well - mango too. Very trying when you are away - I am just the same!

Any luck Rach? Sorry to be so intrusive but I've been worrying about you!

The best thing for me is green grapes on my breakfast cereal. Since I started eating these every day I have never been constipated (and I often was before).

Hope you are safely home now rachb and everything is functioning. Good luck

One of the reasons I’d never go camping! Luxury holiday cottage with 2 bathrooms is the only way I’d holiday now- even hotels are not brilliant as you only get one bathroom usually and it opens into the bedroom so no real privacy. If all else fails I’d recommend suppositories as the force the bowel to relax and get there peristalsis going!

Totally sympathise as I am exactly the same. Went to Hong Kong, Australia and Thailand a few years ago and didn’t‘go’ properly until I came home!

I always struggle with constipation when I'm away from home. Apparently pooing has a lot to do with smelling! Within 5 mins of getting home I'm heading for the loo. It's because I've smelt my own home and feel safe. It does make sense.

A physiotherapist taught me this exercise:
Firstly, take some deep slow breaths whilst sitting on the toilet.
Lean over with hands towards the floor
More breaths
Slowly lift Stretched out arms Out to the sides and then over towards the back of your head
Lean right back then upright again
Works a treat for me

Good luck - have you tried the 'poop button' I described and the clockwise massage- works wonders, honestly.