can constipation lead to diarrhea?

[erin626]

I didn't have a bowel movement for almost 5 days then this evening I got the urge to have a bm. I guess it wasn't actual diarrhea...just very soft, mushy, easy to pass stool. I'm in the midst of getting over a cold and wasn't sure if this is from the constipation or the cold. I feel as though I may need to have another bm but not sure. Is this normal after being constipated?

[ggreg]

And drink some extra water for a few days, diarrhea drains the body of water, hence the diarrhea type stuff that comes out.

[ggreg]

Oh, yes, what you describe is normal.  Most people who have been constipated for a while will indeed get diarrhea following release of the dry stuff that stopped you up.  Also, could be your cold turned everything in there to diarrhea, and so it may have all just come out as a mix.  You will probably feel the urge to go until the diarrhea finally settles down... see, if you've been blocked for five days, you got five days of waste in there, with maybe two days coming out the first time, a couple more days the next time, and finally you'll get regular.  You might go several times in one morning, even.  So, hang in, it'll clear up soon.