Constipation advice

thanks tried took another suppository and got some out how do you know if you have it all out

Sorry to butt in, but from my personal experience you'll never know if you "have it all out", and you'll probably never succeed anyway. Here's an example.

I periodically have massive bowel movements, quite spontaneously with no laxatives or suppositories, producing copious amounts of very large, soft stools. Not at all impacted, but this is normal if the hold-up is in the colon rather than the rectum.

This happened to me two months ago. By pure coincidence, it started on the day before I had my CT scan. (This was a straight scan, so no prep.) I had seven or eight of these huge BMs during the afternoon/evening, then it all kicked off again at 5 the next morning - the day of the scan - continuing every half-hour or so till 3pm. I was worried, because my scan was due at 4.30 and I thought it might happen again on the table! (Fortunately it didn't.)

After all that, I expected the scan would show up very little in my colon. In the event, all three sections - ascending, transverse, descending - were abnormally distended and full of faeces - even after all those BMs. On looking at the results, my GP said he'd never seen anything like it, and admitted he had no idea what to do about it either. I suspect my colon has always been in that state, as I've had bowel problems since birth.

I put myself on macrogol after that, and I'm now having more frequent BMs, but I'm under no illusion that I'm anywhere near clearing my colon.

When you start going to the loo normally and your stools are not hard, small and pellet like, is a good indication you are no longer constipated. It may be a gradual process to empty your bowel depending on how constipated you are.Be content with getting small amounts out first. Try not to worry. When I was badly constipated, I learned to accept it would take some time for my bowel to reset. I read that it can take up to a month for this to happen. This was how it was for me.Keep using the suppositories since they are helping and give it time.

thanks took third suppository so just hoping its make things better

oh right just having the urge taking another (third) suppository now can you buy macrogol

You can buy it over the counter in pharmacies. It's called Movicol in the UK and most other European countries. If you're outside Europe, just input macrogol and your country in a search engine and you'll find the brand name.

But remember it takes time to work, so if you do want to try it start low and wait a couple of days for a result before trying again. The good news is it's not habit-forming, unlike stimulant laxatives, so you can take it regularly if necessary without doing any harm.

I'm sure it will.

is it ok to take 3 suppositories in 24 hours because i have and its worked but now im getting awful groaning and bubbling noises just worried it might cause something serious

thanks i'll try that are they just tablets also taken three suppositories in 24 hours had awful grumbling sounds though and bubbling after pooing is it ok to take three or have i done the wrong thing just a bit worried

Don't worry about the sounds - that's just the suppository workings. Macrogol causes loud rumbling sounds too.

Concerning macrogol - once again, it doesn't come in tablet form. Depending where you are in the world it either comes in large sachets to dissolve in water (the most common form) or as a pre-dissolved liquid.

If you don't mind my saying so, you're worrying far too much. If your colon has been stuffed with faeces for a long period (like mine!) it's quite normal to hear a lot of noise and feel bubbling sensations as it clears.

ok i think i'll try it sounds like laxido with putting them in drinks which i prefer eah tend to get stressed with ibs so new to all this so got by one person three is fine and another said not to and then after going to the toilet still getting all these noises made me wonder if i might have took too many

I would follow the dosage instructions on the leaflet. If you have followed the instructions and not gone over the dosage, I wouldn't worry at all, especially since the medication has worked. Check to see if bowel noises are mentioned n the patient leaflet. It sounds to me that your bowel is is working when you are hearing noises like that.Focus on the positive aspect that the suppository worked and stay calm.

thanks didnt say but hopefully like you said things will get better thank you trying not to stress

Once you stop stressing, this will help things to get better. IBS thrives on stress, that's why it's important to get stress under control with relaxation therapy.

try mindfulness , it may help to tell you how to relax!

thanks trying to

ok thank you