Enema or Suppository..

[EliseCraft]

I've been constipated awfully, my stool is very hard and i can't push it out, and I don't want to strain to hard.  Is an enema or a suppository a better option?

[Fuzzz]

Miralax is a very effective product you can use, but I'd still use a suppository or enema to get things moving right away.

[salubrity]

Hello Elise.
I have had the very same symptoms as you for over eleven years now, caused by the medication that I have to take. I too struggled to know what to do to find the best way to relieve myself. I tried different foods, liquids, exercise, medications, you mention it and I've tried it. My doctor tried to no avail. I was in a lot of discomfort, there was blood and I was getting hemorrhoids. Very upsetting time for me. Out of desperation I gave myself an enema using the shower hose, and I've been using this method ever since as it works wonderfully. Actually it is the only method that will work and is very safe and even quite pleasurable. I'd like to give you one or two tips. Important that the water isn't to hot, warm but not hot. Make sure there isn't to much water pressure. And an important tip is to remember that the stool is very hard inside of you so try to build up a little pressure, so that the water gets behind the stool. You need to put the end of the hose inside of you to do this, only an inch or so. With me there is some slight discomfort as the pressure builds and the water forces its way past the stool, but I know when the water is behind the stool as there is a gurgling sound as the water gets behind the stool. This is important to flush the stool out. I have been using this method now for eleven years or more and would recommend it to anyone with a similar problem.. There is still some discomfort when I go to the loo but it is nothing that I can't handle now. My stools are so hard and large at times that even with an enema there are problems at the final stage, were I have to push on the side of my rectum to break the stool up. Sorry about the gory detail, but if it's useful to you that's what matters. If your in any doubt about what I've described above have a word with your GP.
Best Wishes, David.

[ggreg]

Dear Elsie,
Well, until you can proceed to a more natural diet, I've got a couple tricks to help you with the constipation you've got right now.  But to answer your question, either the enema and/or the suppository would help, so try perhaps a couple enemas, and if that doesn't get it going, try the suppository.  

Here are my tips.  Get a little box of "Baby Lax" at the pharmacy, squirt two in there, and the waste should come out in a real big hurry.  Another is to put a lot of plain KY jelly on a clear plastic gloved hand, and very gently dig some out of there, which allows the stuff to move down, and keep at it until eventually it all comes out...this is what they do in the hospital with patients who can't get out of bed.

I hope you can get moving again, and then follow the above poster's ideas.  I addition to those, I might add you eat probiotics, which restore "good" bacteria to the intestines to help break down waste, which are Activia yogurt or Acidophilus milk from the store, consume those for two weeks.  I might also mention that sometimes medication can cause constipation, so review those.
GG

[Morecambe]

Before you become dependent on chemical laxatives, have you tried a diet which is very high in fibre - for instance:-

- raw pulverised fresh fruit to which organic bran has been added
- raw pulverised fresh vegetables to which organic bran has been added
- brown wholemeal organic bread
- yoghurt with added bran
- home made muesli for breakfast (organic oats + bran soaked in milk to which grated fruit and nuts have been added - it looks like wet cement)
- at least 2 litres of water per day
- no junk food/fast food/plain white bread,colas etc etc

There are rare cases where pateints on Medhelp have described colonic inertia whereby the lower intestines are completely inert and do not react to laxatives after which the only option may be surgery.

Much better to try and resolve the problem naturally if you can.

regards
Morecambe