Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Toptotoe]

Hi there,
Am experiencing constipation over the past few weeks....incomplete evacuation to be precise😒

I've been on femseven conti patches for a few weeks but it started before then.

Any thoughts? I'm prone to IBS but it's never manifested like this .

I've been reading about pelvic floor dysfunction ...( i wondered whether I had a prolapse a little while ago) wondered if this is the reason or could it be stress?.....it's driving me mad ...I get preoccupied with it as it's so uncomfortable.

Any suggestions or advice welcome 😊

[Ju Ju]

I have IBS C and experienced the incomplete evacuation. It turned out I had a rectocele. I've had a repair job and hysterectomy ( 2 months ago). Sadly I'm still experiencing the incomplete evacuation, which occurs unless my stools are really loose, not just soft. I see the consultant at the end of the month and my GP has contacted him for advice, though yet to hear back from her.

I suspect that may be your problem. Check with your GP or gynaecologist for advice. It might be that physio will help. My muscles were very weak and I was not doing the exercises correctly. They are stronger now. I'm hoping my current problems are due to my bowel rearranging itself. It's not very pleasant is it? It can be distressing can't it? Do see your GP, so you can decide what to do or not.

[limpy]

When constipation is happening I find nibling a few ready to eat prunes helps to get things moving the following day. Figs are good too.

[babyjane]

drinking plenty of water, all bran, bananas, Linwoods ground mixed seeds on cereals, plenty of vegetables and whole grains all help for me and I am prone to it as am hypothyroid (controlled). On the occasion when I need help I use senna or lactulose and when desperate Dulcoease but that very rarely. Constipation flares up my haemorrhoids too so I do everything I can to try and avoid it.  I sincerely sympathise with you, it is an awful affliction and yet one that can incur humour or ridicule from some who don't understand it. .

[Hurdity]

Despite eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg and fibre containing foods I have had this problem recently which is unusual but I have changed my diet to a very low carb one so I'm not ( or rarely) eating muesli, oats, bread, pasta, flour etc - so I think in my case that's the problem.

I swear by figs (which I now eat a couple of every day), but a couple of glasses of wine or a good curry should also do the trick 

Hurdity x

[Toptotoe]

Thank you for your replies.

Ju Ju-yes this is what I'm worried might be the problem. I'm seeing my GP on Thursday ....I was hoping physio might be suggested. A bit worried that surgery might be the solution.

Is your situation no different at all following your op? Hope you get some relief and some answers from your consultant.

Limply- yes I too am a prune fan! I also pretty much eliminated wheat about 4 years ago. I take flaxseed or linseed everyday ...have done for over 10 years . This episode is different to previous difficulties....and none of my usual foodstuffs are doing the trick.

Babyjane- yes I know what you mean about haemorrhoids ....that is something I'm trying to avoid too.

I'll see what my GP says ...might try senokot tonight!?

[Toptotoe]

Thanks Hurdity,

I think I've cut out many of those wheat containing foods already....I suspect it might be related to pelvic floor issues...unfortunately 

[dahliagirl]

You may have constipation because the progestogen in your hrt relaxes smooth muscle - in this case intestines. 

I am particularly prone to this and suffered throughout pregnancy and on the pill for I-don't-know-how-many years.

What happens is that the peristalsis slows down, and at the last stage in the colon, where extra fluid is taken out of the gut, it hangs around too long and dries out the stools.  This in turn slows down transit and it becomes a vicious circle.

You need soluble fibre from oats, pulses and fruit and veg (and prunes and figs etc as above), but not so much of the bran-type fibre, which dries out a bit like potting compost.  You also need to drink plenty extra fluid.

Sometimes if you know that you will become constipated, a pre-emptive laxative may help. Laxitives that hold onto water are helpful, like movicol or lactulose (produces lots of wind  ) .  Senna is supposed to help push things through but I don't personally recommend that as it hurts.  A morning coffee acts as a stimulant.

Other helpful strategies are to eat only at meal times and to eat a good breakfast to stimulate the peristalsis from the top down, and to have a nice cup of coffee after breakfast and try and form a daily habit (still trying to do that here  )

A daily kiwi fruit works 

[Ju Ju]

I take ground flaxseed and prunes everyday, fruit, veg, porridge, alongside fibogel ( which contains aspartame, which I'm not happy about. Bowel consultant recommended that I use it. Big no no for IBS I have read. Tried other forms of husks without sweeteners, psyllium for example, but didn't do the trick). I'm not constipated now, but the incomplete evacuation persists. If I take laxative while my stools are soft, it just makes them greasy and I feel ill. It's a difficult problem. I'm wheat intolerant, which is why I have to take fibogel, as alternative fibre. Dahlia girl,  interestingly, I am allergic to kiwi fruit (common allegen) and intolerant to coffee. Shame! The problem is a functional one for me. And as I have had a hysterectomy, I no longer need progesterone. Not sure what else I can do.

[dahliagirl]

That is a shame, JuJu.  I have grown very tired of kiwi - I bought a packet and they all rotted, whilst I looked at them each morning and turned away  .  I have problems with silver birch hayfever and oral allergy syndrome and I think the kiwis do not help.  I have problems with fresh fruit like apples and apricots and plums.  Allergy UK is interesting https://www.allergyuk.org/allergy-to-fruit-and-vegetables/allergy-to-fruit-and-vegetables

The kiwis do work well though - soften and add a bit of oomph

The physio suggested the sniff drop flop thing for incomplete evacuation.

Any hot drink is supposed to help if you can't have coffee.  I sometimes take a cup of herb tea and retire if I get the urge.

[Toptotoe]

Interesting to hear everyone's thoughts.....

I, too suffered with constipation throughout my pregnancy .
With regards to diet I think that I eat most of the foods that you all mention.

Wondered what the sniff drop flop thing was?

[Ju Ju]

Sounds intriguing! Do explain! My favourite hit drink is mint tea. I hate ordinary tea. Can't even stand the smell. I love the smell of coffee. Just can't drink it. Yes, I suffered with constipation during my pregnancies as well.

[20032003]

I too am intrigued by the sniff drop flop, the mind boggles!!

S x

Me too!

[Kate50]

Mine started getting bad a few months ago just as my menopause symptoms got worse and I don't seem to be producing any progesterone according to bloods and not taking any at moment.  Mine is Def the lack of oestrogen just slowed everything down and dried up stools . When first started oestrogen and it was working it started to get better.  Google it it's all there about how the gut gets effected.  I go for colonics.

[babyjane]

a glass of hot water with a slice of lemon first thing in the morning can also help