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Blocked up bowel and chronic constipation

(69 Posts)
Cossy Sun 09-Mar-25 18:59:56

Impacted def needs medical attention, and sooner rather than later!

Usedtobeblonde Sun 09-Mar-25 18:56:51

Kiwi fruit is good for normal constipation plus prunes, dried apricots but for an impaction I think medical help is needed.
Lactulose is my go to for a “bad bung”

Fleur20 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:14:31

Hibiscus tea.. it is quite bitter but if you can coax her to drink 2 or three cups it should help... as much water as she is able afterwards.
Hope she gets relief soon.

loopyloo Sun 09-Mar-25 18:09:37

Tinned prunes.
But A/E might be necessary.

Lomo123 Sun 09-Mar-25 18:02:13

Sugar free liquorice sweets did the trick for me after heavy medication.

LOUISA1523 Sun 09-Mar-25 17:54:47

Laxido / movicol to soften
Combined with something like senna to stimulate bowel movement

lixy Sun 09-Mar-25 17:29:40

Our doctor prescribed Laxido which worked in a day when my mum had chronic constipation following an illness.

It is also available from pharmacies. It would be advisable to talk to the pharmacist before buying it at there are some drugs it can’t be taken alongside.

Hope your daughter is better soon.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 09-Mar-25 16:13:06

Well - please close your eyes those of a sensitive nature.

The doctor evacuated my bowel with his fingers - painful and unpleasant, then used something which after half an hour meant I pooed for England and completely blocked the hospital lavatory. A nurse kindly unblocked it for me.

It was impossible to pass the faeces and I was involuntary passing fluid - I could not sit down it was so painful and uncomfortable. all very unpleasant and traumatic.

Prior to all that I’d taken paracetamol for the two viruses, and I also had sickness and diarrhoea, ehich almost certainly was the culprit.

Jaxjacky Sun 09-Mar-25 16:09:49

Lactulose is my go to Whitewave, my reflux med causes an issue, it’s a gentle answer to an uncomfortable problem

Allira Sun 09-Mar-25 16:07:14

Senna did not work for me btw.

Allira Sun 09-Mar-25 16:06:10

Whitewavemark2

Honestly If she hasn’t been for a week then she almost certainly needs medical help.

I needed just that after covid followed by the flu in quick succession, and ended up in A&E being manually de-bunged - what a relief! But never again!!

I now ensure I drink the correct amount of fluids and take lactulose daily which keeps me going as I am NEVER going through that experience again!!

Yes, I agree.

I had a problem after an operation when I was taking codeine.

The nurse phoned me to say if the laxatives and enemas that she had prescribed did not work, I was to get myself back to hospital as an emergency.

Luckily, they did work.

Caleo Sun 09-Mar-25 16:02:33

I don't know what you mean by "manually debunged". The method I know about is a retention enema of peanut (arachis)oil followed by an activating enema once the impacted faeces have had time to soften.

A colonic lavage may be best when the faecal matter is impacted up past the rectum.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 09-Mar-25 15:59:38

It should be treated as an emergency if she hasn’t been for quite some time.

JaneJudge Sun 09-Mar-25 15:58:58

I had to have a emergency appointment with my daughter who hadn't been for a while. The prescribed movicol at a higher dose iirc and the magic of senna for a week. Job done.
It can be dangerous to not seek medical attention if it has been a matter of weeks rather than days

Whitewavemark2 Sun 09-Mar-25 15:56:49

I had gone past all the over the counter remedies and up your bum thingies - all to no avail.

Whitewavemark2 Sun 09-Mar-25 15:55:37

Honestly If she hasn’t been for a week then she almost certainly needs medical help.

I needed just that after covid followed by the flu in quick succession, and ended up in A&E being manually de-bunged - what a relief! But never again!!

I now ensure I drink the correct amount of fluids and take lactulose daily which keeps me going as I am NEVER going through that experience again!!

Aldom Sun 09-Mar-25 15:54:16

Your daughter needs to soften her stool. If she is unwilling to see her GP about the constipation, I suggest you speak to a pharmacist. There are over the counter products to help with this problem. The pharmacist will be able to advise you. If you take one of your daughter's prescriptions for the pharmacist to see it will give them a clear idea of which drug(s) might be causing the constipation.

Astitchintime Sun 09-Mar-25 15:54:15

Certain medications can and will cause constipation and this will be exacerbated by dehydration. If she is bunged up she will not feel like eating either.
Can you tempt her with fresh fruit, particularly oranges, and I really do think that she needs to see her GP as soon as you can convince her to go - and arrange an appointment of course; not that easy I know.

Podula Sun 09-Mar-25 15:45:35

Hi everyone. I’m new to gransnet and it looks the place where I might get help. My 55 year old daughter with some mental health issues is completely bunged up. This is partly a side effect of meds and she looks very unwell. She is not eating and doesn’t drink much and will not seek help. I’m worried silly and do not always handle my concerns well. I feel we are nearing an emergency. Is there anything I could or should be doing. Looking forward to hearing from anyone.