Impacted bowel, I think

[ninja9578]

I haven't had a solid bowel movement in several days (4 or 5 I think) and I feel as if I have to.  Whenever I go to the bathroom I mostly get water or some loose stool.  Then it stops and it feels as if there is a large piece there that I can't push out.

I've tried Milk of magnesia last night and just expelled water in the morning and I tried an enema about an hour ago with no results.  I held it for 3 minutes, should I try again for longer?

Most things that I've read say that I should get an X-ray or ultrasound, but I'm an american with no insurance and a very very fixed income.

I guess a side effect of this is that not hungry, I haven't eaten all day and didn't eat very much yesterday either.

[ninja9578]

I'll go to CVS tonight and get some of that.

I'm very athletic, I usually run between 5 and 20 miles a day.

[Bad_Luck_Gut]

Miralax also works wonders....  The doc had me on 17oz, every 2 hours as needed.  Usually 3 doses got me going.  Good luck.....

[dbab]

Have you tried deep message of the abdominal area starting on the lower right side like where your appendix is and slowly moving up the right, across the top of the abdomen just under the ribs and then, down the left side to the pelvic area and then, start all over again.  Message deep and slowly.  Then, when you are ready to try and have a movement, lean forward as far as you can while sitting on the toilet.  This usually helps me.  I have also found that dulcolax works the best when I am constipated and of course, like the others have suggested, drink, drink, drink water and then, drink some more.  I feel for you as I have been there before.  I can't remember if you said you exercise but exercise will also help get your bowels moving.  If you can get up and walk or ride a bike or do something it will help with elimination problems.  Good luck to you.  Let us know how you are doing.

[ninja9578]

Ok, I'll drink more water.  Where can I get colace and the dulcolax, CVS?

How long can I wait before going to a doctor?  I'm not going to a doctor until it's a serious health condition (like about to die.)  The US has a terrible health system and it costs nearly a thousand dollars to visit a hospital for an hour.

[cboger]

It sounds like you have a high impaction. Lots of water, lots of water, LOTS of water!!! Also try colace, it's a stool softener, along with MOM and purhaps a dulcolax suppository. Don't strain too hard or you will end up with another problem.

Good luck

[sadie1246]

I have the same problem and tried everything, as one on here wrote water, water, water, plus about 15 prunes not stewed eaten dried you can buy them in  any market sunkist is the best tasting and I will tell you this our grandmothers new best and I have colon trouble with MS adn MG and my muscles down there don't work to good but try them you will like them.  Good tasting too.  eat half in morning when you get up and half before bedtime.  don't need a doctor for them.

[ninja9578]

No results yet.  How did you manage to lay there for an hour.  I tried again and couldn't hold it for more than 5 minutes, my abdomen hurt too much.  Did I use too much again?

[Bad_Luck_Gut]

checking in to see how you are doing.....

[ninja9578]

Huh, I can't edit my post, but I have another question about the enema.  After I use it, should the blockage pass immediately with the fluid or after an hour or two?

I assume that since it's been a week (or more) I should probably do a full bowel cleansing after I finally pass the blockage right?  I can use Milk of Magnesia for that?

[ninja9578]

Will fibre help remove the impacted part or just help in the future?  I eat almost exclusively fruits and vegetables.  I eat meat and pasta occasionally, but if you saw me eat you'd swear I was a vegetarian.

Lay there for an hour?  Did I squeeze in too much of the liquid or do it too fast?  I couldn't hold it for more than three minutes, I felt as if I would explode.  

I do drink a lot of water.  Every so often I do get dehydrated though, two thursdays ago I had a really long day in hot rooms with nothing to drink and had a massive headache.  Maybe the impacted part came from that day?  On wednesday I also had a few beers which I know are a dehydrate, but I Think I was having problems before that.

[Morecambe]

Does your diet include a large amount of fibre?  If not, try pulversied/liquidised fresh fruit and pulverised/liquidised fresh vegetables.  Also eat organic bran which can be added to yoghurt, cereals etc etc.  With this you should drink ~2 litres of water per day as well.

Avoid all processed food - eat wholemeal/organic brown bread as well.

Try this and see whether it "wakes up" your motions etc

regards
Morecambe

[Bad_Luck_Gut]

Been there....    Key thing.....lots of water...  start drinking.  If you don't eat your digestive system slows, so that's not a good idea.  You want it working to expel that $&#@...... so eat something.

Also... I'd try the enema again, but try to hold onto it for as long as you can at least 15-20 minutes.  I recall laying on the bathroom floor for close to an hour to maximize the hold time.....

Good luck.....