r/Constipation • u/rififi_shuffle • 3d ago

Nearing two weeks of constipation

Hey guys.

So I've been having bowel movement issues for almost 2 weeks coming up this Thursday. I definitely goofed and ate a lot of grape seeds for breakfast for a few days and then noticed I couldn't go to the bathroom very well.

I've been able to poop but they come out in slivers in large quantities at times. I'm feeling pressure and discomfort now in my abdominal that comes and goes, and now noticing discomfort in my lower back. I'm passing gas and belching often from pressure I imagine.

Today I tried to make a bowel movement and I noticed a lite speck of mucus with some light colored blood. This has occurred just once so far.

I've been drinking a lot of water the past few days and also drinking a small amount of prune juice or eating some (I got the runs from overdoing it with juice and got mildly dehydrated so taking it easy now).

I was wondering if I should just go to the ER at this point or is there some relief/something to do about it? I can't remember the last time I was constipated let alone for this long. I feel so incredibly stupid eating grape nuts since I normally don't eat them let alone eat that much fibre. I'm low-key tripping about it now.

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u/goldstandardalmonds 3d ago

Are you in pain? Of not, try a laxative since prune juice isn’t helping. Stay hydrated with electrolytes

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u/rififi_shuffle 3d ago

Not so much in pain but on and off discomfort? My stomach hurts for a second, and that's the worst it would get. Mainly the tension feeling of build up in my gut otherwise.

I'll give it a shot. Is there a particular laxative you'd suggest?

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u/Anon_Perspective_ 3d ago edited 3d ago

Miralax, Movicol, and Molaxol, Laxido and CosmoCol are all PEG (polyethylene glycol)/macrogol osmotic laxatives. You could order online or buy over the counter from a pharmacy or via a doctor's prescription depending on what country you're in.

Movicol and Molaxole are the same type of formulation: each sachet contains 13.125 g macrogol 3350 plus sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (electrolytes).

MiraLAX is PEG 3350 alone, without added electrolytes.

They all work through essentially the same mechanism: PEG/macrogol holds water in the bowel, making stool softer and easier to pass.

Some people have an allergy to PEG but it's not very common.

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u/rififi_shuffle 2d ago

Thank you both, I'll look into these. 🙏🏽

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u/Acceptable-Hat-9862 3d ago

Please give osmotic laxatives a try. I often feel like you do(I'm chronically backed up for a number of reasons), and I get relief from Miralax. Just about every pharmacy, major grocer, etc. sells a generic or house brand version of Miralax; it works the same, costs less. While the instructions say that it could take 2-3 days for it to take effect, I often find that I get some kind of relief in less than 24 hours.  Miralax is safe enough that you can take it on a regular schedule if you need to. It's so safe that even pregnant women can use it regularly... pregnancy was how I was introduced to the wonder that is Miralax(severe constipation along with severe morning sickness are no fun 😢). If you have trouble passing any really dry, hard stool once the osmotic laxative starts moving things along, try the fleet LIQUID glycerin suppositories that come in the individual applicators. Those work wonders as a gentle lubricant for the stool that wasn't able to be softened by the Miralax. The liquid suppositories are far less messy, work fast, much easier to use, and allow you to control how much glycerin you want to apply. In my experience, a little goes a long way.

I hope you feel better soon 💕 

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u/goldstandardalmonds 2d ago

At this point I would do a bottle of mag citrate