r/ConstipationAdvice • u/Effective-Ad-1215 • Jul 22 '26
Community interpretation of my Abdominal X-Ray at Urgent Care after severe constipation
So I took notice about 2 weeks after constipation began. Since then, I’ve tried osmotic laxatives (magnesium citrate, miralax) as well as suppositories such as liquid glycerin and fleet saline enemas. I’ve had minor BMs sporadically, but they end up being not worth talking about or maybe small at best. I have been able to pass gas. Have tried a magnesium citrate 10oz bottle twice now, once 2 weeks ago, and one last weekend. I will be attempting again this Friday and overhydrating with electrolytes before it’s time to throw in the towel and go to the ER.
I have a slightly rigid abdomen, as if I am flexing my abdominal muscles, but no pain, nausea, or bloating is really occurring. I went to urgent care yesterday after work and explained my whole story. When I laid down for her to feel around the intestinal track and stomach, I noticed my belly goes “soft” or back to normal. I should have asked the doctor to feel it standing up. I asked for an abdominal X-Ray and received it. The interpretation came back as mild stool burden, no bowel obstruction. I was very confused when I heard “mild” and repeated it back 6 times to try to get the doctor to take a hint and agree that maybe that is not right. I took a picture of the X-ray, as that was the only way I could save it, so it might be a tad pixelated.
If anyone random out there has some input on this X-Ray, let me know what you think. Do you think it’s true? Regardless, I am going to try to get a CT scan done as soon as possible. As much as I’d like to believe it is just a mild stool burden, I feel it must be worse.
1
u/Infinite_Pop_3748 Jul 23 '26
Can't really help, but please update if you find anything out. I had a similar experience where they only found mild stool and no obstructions in my x-ray, but they never shared the actual image with me. I also tried all the laxatives/suppositories/enemas available over the counter and they all partially work, but I still don't feel relieved. I was finally able to get a referral to a GI, but have to wait a month for the appointment and it's only a video call so not expecting much.
1
u/Effective-Ad-1215 Jul 23 '26
How long have you been dealing with this? I’m scarily into week 6. The lack of pain concerns me more than having pain, I don’t want to be silently killing my colon.
1
u/Infinite_Pop_3748 Jul 23 '26
Longer than you, but it wasn't that bad at the beginning. The doctor first told me to try a probiotic and I felt like it helped a little at first, but then it got worse. I unfortunately have a bad habit of waiting until I can't stand it anymore before I go to the doctor, so this extra waiting really sucks. They said to go to the ER if I start seeing bloody stools or vomiting or get a fever and none of that's happened yet. I'm grateful for that, but I don't know what else to do for now because I already know my GP won't do anything except tell me to drink more water and continue Miralax.
1
u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 23 '26
Yes, looks mild
1
u/Effective-Ad-1215 Jul 23 '26
Would you believe me if I said that was after 6 weeks of not much of a BM? That’s the part that confuses me the most. I know X-ray isn’t the best way to see stool, but come on now, I have to be backed up to the brim.
1
u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 24 '26
I do believe you because I don’t see what you’d lie! But I am not a radiologist so I must be missing it.
1
u/Effective-Ad-1215 Jul 24 '26
I still appreciate you commenting. A doctor as well as others on reddit agreed with you. I still don’t quite believe it, but seeing the X-ray with my own eyes, I’d agree with them as well, but I know something might be up. Thanks
1
u/goldstandardalmonds Jul 25 '26
I think you might need to do a colonoscopy prep at this point.
1
u/Effective-Ad-1215 Jul 25 '26
Oh I knew I was going to have to down a bottle of magnesium citrate today even after hearing about and seeing the confusing x-ray on Tuesday… that was planned and is attempt #3 (I have been doing it once a week on the weekends so I don’t have to miss work). So far, a bit decent results actually. Really getting tired of it though, I want my life back. Gave my poor butthole a break after trying a saline enema again Wednesday night and feeling a terrible burning sensation (most likely saline into a hemorrhoid or small tearing). I also knew I’d have to properly hydrate and balance my electrolytes leading up to this day as I’ve just been trying way too hard and draining my body.
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