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Frustrating Bowel Movements

(49 Posts)
rachb2020 Sun 13-Sep-20 13:54:22

Probably just one of the joys of getting old - but my bowels take forever to move these days! So frustrating to have to sit on the toilet for 45 minutes at a time trying.

I'm not constipated so it's pointless taking a laxative - but it's like my bottom muscles have lost it's "oomph" when I try to push and strain.

I have a small rectocele as well, which doesn't help (sometimes I don't notice it, but when it is playing up it makes going impossible)

Very annoying blush

Lisagran Sun 13-Sep-20 15:28:19

You’re back from your camping holiday then?

kittylester Sun 13-Sep-20 15:31:04

Oh, I thought you were new and I was going to welcome you.

rachb2020 Sun 13-Sep-20 15:33:27

Lisagran

You’re back from your camping holiday then?

Yes been back for a while now but bowels are remaining problematic unfortunately

moggie57 Sun 13-Sep-20 15:33:40

try lactulose..... helps things along . get it from the doctor .i never take laxatives though. i have IBS and sometimes strain to go to the loo. the lactulose helps it MOVE .!!!

moggie57 Sun 13-Sep-20 15:33:53

get the prunes out .

ExD Sun 13-Sep-20 15:37:19

Try Dulcosoft, its not a laxative - it just softens things up a bit and its easier to push out.
(Time to start those pelvic floor exercises you feel so silly doing sad) Good job no-one can see you!

Jaxjacky Sun 13-Sep-20 15:39:37

Prune juice helps me, more than actual prunes oddly. Also moving...walking, even up and down stairs, around the house and garden.

quizqueen Sun 13-Sep-20 15:41:49

Place your feet on a step as you sit on the toilet to tilt the pelvis.

Teetime Sun 13-Sep-20 15:42:13

You do need to drink plenty of anything really.

cornergran Sun 13-Sep-20 15:59:03

Frustrating isn’t it? GP recommended DulcoEase, it helps a bit. Walking, lots of liquid and citrus fruit also help.

rachb2020 Sun 13-Sep-20 16:03:07

Thanks everyone.

When I was in my 30s having a poo was something that took two minutes - now it's 45 minutes!

I feel even more uncomfortable when we are going out with the family and everyone is waiting downstairs whilst I am on the toilet trying to poo

GagaJo Sun 13-Sep-20 16:05:27

What do you do to help yourself? Do you use any of the techniques the others have mentioned?

rachb2020 Sun 13-Sep-20 16:21:20

GagaJo

What do you do to help yourself? Do you use any of the techniques the others have mentioned?

A couple of things - when I can't go I raise my feet (using the side of the bath which is opposite the toilet) and I splint my perineum to help align the rectocele

Lisagran Sun 13-Sep-20 16:33:12

I splint my perineum to help align the rectocele

shock [hmmm] confused

GagaJo Sun 13-Sep-20 19:24:08

A dietary change would help. I also have a rectocele. Kiwis always sort me out.

kittylester Sun 13-Sep-20 19:27:39

What's a rectocele? Xx

rachb2020 Sun 13-Sep-20 19:50:39

kittylester

What's a rectocele? Xx

It's a weakness in the wall of the rectum so when you attempt a bowel movement the wall of the rectum bulges and the poo goes into the bulge, making it more difficult to go the toilet. The poo kind of goes the wrong way.

Symptoms are constipation, (unsuccessful) straining on the toilet and a feeling of incomplete evacuation when you do manage to go.

I find that supporting my perineum with a pad of toilet roll helps.

Cabbie21 Sun 13-Sep-20 19:55:15

Most days I can go fairly easily, except for the last little bit which lingers, requiring lots of loo paper to help it out. TMI.

mokryna Sun 13-Sep-20 19:58:34

Kittylester Tip, incase you didn’t know. If you are working on an iPad, press on the word, it will highlight in blue and above there will be a choice ‘look up’ press .
A prolapse of the wall between rectum and vagina

mokryna Sun 13-Sep-20 19:58:56

Sorry a it late

vegansrock Sun 13-Sep-20 20:17:25

try a vegan diet. job done.

PinkCakes Sun 13-Sep-20 20:20:03

Try drinking more - hot drinks sometimes get things moving.

Walking about can also help.

(I've never had a problem, but have worked in the care sector for 20-odd years)

Lisagran Sun 13-Sep-20 20:58:30

Ooh, mokryna, I never knew that - what a useful bit of info! smile

mokryna Sun 13-Sep-20 21:32:13

?