Embarrassing: Camping & Constipated

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!

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

Hooray! That must have felt wonderful. Well done.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Phew! So relieved that you have had success!

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.

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.

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.

Why on earth does anyone feel the need to rant about other peoples bowels?

Just in response to Agranbytheendofthesummer - I completely get what you mean and I know it seems weird but unfortunately it's due to pelvic floor dysfunction that some people (such as me) have.

When you try to go to the toilet you can't relax your bottom muscles and actually end up clenching, closing the 'opening' and pushing against a closed bottom. Unsurprisingly you can't go to the toilet properly! You feel like straining but that just tightens your bottom even more.

It's not such an issue at home where it is easier to relax - but I have a small rectocele as well that causes chronic constipation so my toilet trips take a long time and a lot of frustration!

Similar pelvic problems, one tablespoon of olive oil every day (not at night) followed by a drink or something to take the taste away
(1 tablespoon oil = 125 calories)

Oh Rach, I've been reading this from the other side of the world and feel for you. I've had similar problems. However, I recently saw a bladder physio about my pelvic floor. What she did advise was when sitting for a poop to rest your feet on a small stool - I use a child's step. That works by straightening out the bit inside the backside, making pooping easier ! Hope that makes sense, because it definitely works for me. Good luck.

MissAdventure - how strange that you think that people are 'ranting' about other people's bowel problems. I think that this thread is the kindest and most helpful thread that I have followed in a very long while.

Rachb2020 looking at your complex needs, I do recommend the Squatty Potty. I think it would really help with your pelvic floor etc issues.
This is the nice slimline version. It kicks back under the toilet bowl neatly.

www.stressnomore.co.uk/squattypotty-slim-with-teak-finish-11111.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1qzOmrK46wIVzgiICR1_RgrnEAQYASABEgLGDPD_BwE

I assume you’ve talked to a specialist pelvic floor physio?

This would do the same thing and very very much cheaper

www.argos.co.uk/product/4885317

Sorry the link won’t work but it’s a childs toilet step for £3.99

DannyRae

I was referring to this.

"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 are at play)
Rant over."



Yesterday 19:40rachb2020

Just in response to Agranbytheendofthesummer - I completely get what you mean and I know it seems weird but unfortunately it's due to pelvic floor dysfunction that some people (such as me) have. sad

When you try to go to the toilet you can't relax your bottom muscles and actually end up clenching, closing the 'opening' and pushing against a closed bottom. Unsurprisingly you can't go to the toilet properly! You

It's not such an issue at home where it is easier to relax - but I have a small rectocele as well that causes chronic constipation so my toilet trips take a long time and a lot of frustration! blush

Yesterday 22:08therustyfairy

Similar pelvic problems, one tablespoon of olive oil every day (not at night) followed by a drink or something to take the taste away
(1 tablespoon oil = 125 calories)

Today 00:23Bigred18

Oh Rach, I've been reading this from the other side of the world and feel for you. I've had similar problems. However, I recently saw a bladder physio about my pelvic floor. What she did advise was when sitting for a poop to rest your feet on a small stool - I use a child's step. That works by straightening out the bit inside the backside, making pooping easier ! Hope that makes sense, because it definitely works for me. Good luck.

Today 08:35DanniRae

MissAdventure - how strange that you think that people are 'ranting' about other people's bowel problems. I think that this thread is the kindest and most helpful thread that I have followed in a very long while.

Today 08:56sarahcyn

Rachb2020 looking at your complex needs, I do recommend the Squatty Potty. I think it would really help with your pelvic floor etc issues.
This is the nice slimline version. It kicks back under the toilet bowl neatly.

www.stressnomore.co.uk/squattypotty-slim-with-teak-finish-11111.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1qzOmrK46wIVzgiICR1_RgrnEAQYASABEgLGDPD_BwE

I assume you’ve talked to a specialist pelvic floor physio?

Today 09:17tanith

This would do the same thing and very very much cheaper

www.argos.co.uk/product/4885317

Today 09:18tanith

Sorry the link won’t work but it’s a childs toilet step for £3.99

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DannyRae

I was referring to this.


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Aaaargh!!!!!!
Well, my quote didn't quite work.
Hopefully nobody has noticed...

I choose not to comment on the above because, to be honest, I wouldn't know where to start

Me neither

You could start by sitting on the loo.
It's a good place to sit and ponder