I have been constipated since this morning and I have to go but its to big and too hard and its making my butt hurt. I am so uncomfortable. I took some Miralax this morning but it didn't help. It is trying to come out but its too big. My husband suggested an enema? Will that make me have the urge to push or will it soften it all up? Because I dont want anything that is going to make me want to push with it this hard. I am in tears please help
I am a female and I'm badly constipated . Will an enema help?
Question posted by katiej12 on 19 July 2013
Last updated on 19 October 2019 by Vinny9
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
26 Answers
Vinny9
19 Oct 2019
Katie, if your bowel movement is that hard, you should soften it up with a Mineral Oil enema. You can find them in your drugstore. That will surely soften up your hard bowel movement, and make it pass much more easily. One of the people recommending soapsuds enemas has been saying "lie on your right side". No, the standard position for an enema is to lie on your "left side" with your right knee pulled up to your chest. Hang around the house for a time after using the mineral oil, because you will get feelings like you have "gas", but it will be some more of the oil coming out. I hope that helps you.
Ambrosia5678
7 Oct 2018
Oh my god, this was me for the last 24 hours. I honestly thought I was going to have to go to the ER. My husband ran out and bought me the MiraLAX powder, but it was too mild and the instructions even said if might work in 1-4 days. I waited a few hours and hit it with a second dose, which is not recommended. Nothing. I took some castor oil, which tastes disgusting and makes me feel like I need to throw up. The oil caused a lot of cramping and pushing but it still wasn’t enough to get the hard mass out. Finally my husband went to the pharmacy again and got the Dulcolax suppositories. I don’t know if they’re the same type as the ones others have recommended here. They are uncomfortable to use (I don’t like sticking anything in my rectum, and it was sore from 24+ hours of suffering, plus the suppository itself stung a bit after it was inserted into place), but I set a 20-minute timer and powered through. Finally! The result was painful but such a relief.
I wish I’d gone the suppository route before suffering all day waiting for something to happen. I would absolutely recommend suppositories to someone in your (our) scenario. I could not have waited another full day (much less 4 days) in the condition I was in. Thanks everyone for the recommendations.
Jaden61
18 Sep 2018
I certainly understand this scenario and your ' angst ' concerning same . As I have aged , my constipation issues have become more pronounced and more often . I agree with the other contributors here as to their advice some of which is new to me . I also agree with your husband as to an enema . This procedure was always my mother's ' first home remedy of choice ' back in the day as I from a young girl on have had constipation issues . While seemingly not ' main stream ' anymore, the enema as to a temporary ' fix ' might be ' just the thing ' to help you ' prim the pump ' and give you some much needed temporary relief . I am fortunate to have a dear ' more senior ' friend to help me as per above as required .
ljkramer
24 June 2018
The most effective answer is a soapsuds enema. The soapy water soaks into hardened stool quickly, softening and lubricating it, so it will be easier to pass, while slowly developing laxative action. After 15 to 20 minutes, it will also make the stool break up into small pieces, but you don't need to hold it in that long for it to work; you'll most likely be able to have a comfortable BM after 5 to 10 minutes, it just gets easier and cleans you out more thoroughly the longer you can keep it inside you.
I've been a type 1 diabetic for 57 years, so I have lots of experience with this problem. I try to prevent it by eating prunes for dessert at least twice a day, but when that fails, I take a 1500 ml soapsuds enema any time I haven't had a BM for 3 days. I buy liquid castile soap packets that are made for use in enemas, each one is 9 ml (about 1/3 oz). They're easy to find on the web. I get a box of 125 packets for $22 on Ebay. I bought a regular open-top enema bag at the drug store for about $15 3 years ago, and I'm still using it. It actually holds about 1700 ml, but 1 packet is enough for a full bag of water. I start by adjusting the faucet of my sink until the water feels warm NOT HOT running down the inside of my wrist, then I tear open a soap packet and let the water carry the soap into the bag as I fill it. When the bag is full, I hang it from the soap tray of my bathtub and lie down on my right side in a tub of warm water. I open the clamp before I put the tube in my bottom to make sure that there's no air in the hose, then I push the end of the tube into a jar of vaseline so it's well lubed. It takes about 5 minutes for all the water to run into me, and it doesn't hurt while I'm taking it, but I start getting cramps after I've held the water inside me for 10 to 15 minutes. When the cramps get bad, I climb out of the tub and sit on the toilet. It usually takes less than a half hour for the enema to finish working, and I feel great, afterwards. The only disadvantage is that I may leak a little if I try to break wind within about the next 12 hours, so I wear an adult diaper for the rest of the day.
Mimi1214
6 May 2018
I am going through this right now it has been 7 days no bm have tried stool softener 3 suppositories In 1 day which would be today and nothing but a little clear stuff with blood in it should I go to the ER I have never had this problem I don’t take any meds that would constipate me I eat healthy and am at the gym atleast 3-4 days a week and train with a personal trainer In between this is scaring me really bad it’s painful I get sharp pain in my sides I feel so bloated and on top of it can’t pee normal either right now any suggestions please
ljkramer
24 June 2018
You REALLY need to see a doctor. If it's not convenient for you to get to the E.R., you can go to an urgent care center, but don't mess with this, get to a doctor.
rilesaroni
22 April 2018
I am many years late but I’m currently dealing with this issue. I’m 19 and have been having this problem my whole life, and people always tell me the same thing: take more fiber, drink lots of water, use enemas,etc. Those don’t really help. Currently, I’m sitting over the toilet with this issue and trying to fix it. I took two laxative pills (Dulcolax) and two spoonfuls of extra virgin olive oil last night, and only liquidy poop came out, I can still feel a very big and very hard piece of poop is stuck in my rectum. I’m too scared to ask a doctor for help because this is embarrassing to talk about, but usually the olive oil works for me.
ljkramer
24 June 2018
A soapsuds enema will soften and break up hard, impacted poop, but you'll need to hold it in for 15 to 20 minutes after you finish taking it, and you'll probably have cramps for a while before it develops it's complete action. Be sure to use either castile soap without additives, or a plain bar soap like ivory, NOT a detergent or a soap with additives. If you don't already have an enema bag, you can usually find one at the drug store, and most grocery stores have plain Ivory soap. ONLY use a plain bar, not flakes or a liquid, unless it's labeled for use in enemas. You'll also need a 2 quart pitcher. Fill the pitcher with water that feels nice and warm on the inside of your wrist, then unwrap the bar of Ivory Soap and swish it around in the water for 2 minutes. The water should look milky and have a little foam on top by the time you're done mixing it.
Lie down on your right side while you take the enema, and don't move for at least 20 minutes after the bag is empty. If you can hold the enema in longer than that, the longer you hold it in, the better it will work. You should expect to have bad cramps while you're holding it in, but if you're willing to put up with them, the soapy water will soften, lubricate, and break up even the hardest impacted poop. The soap will also force you to keep pooping until you're completely emptied out, and will probably leave your bottom and insides sore, but if you really want relief from the impaction, it will be worth doing once. ONLY do such a strong enema once. After you're cleaned out, don't let yourself go for more than 3 days without a BM. That way, you'll be able to treat mild constipation with an oral laxative, like senna tablets.
baybeedoll2224
22 April 2018
I seriously have this problem ALL the time no matter what I do to try n avoid it!! I've had really bad IBS since I was young and medication seems to constipate me almost every time I need to go. I just bought glycerin suplositories for my first time so im hoping they will help loosen this stuff up. I have googled everything I possibly could about constipation and what I can do to prevent it and make it easier to pass. Just recently I found the most AMAZING thing ever n u wish I would of found it years ago but when we sit on the toilet it pinches the rectal canal making it harder to get out but if you get a little step stool or anything that you can put your feet up on to bring your knees up this will actually help open the rectal canal making it a lot easier to go with a hell of a lot less strain!! Dont believe me then look up the "squatty potty". I seriously swear by this and I now dont go without it. Hopefully this helps you guys like it did me :)
omp
8 March 2018
I think I am really outdated but I have seen there are answers up to Jan 2018. I am a 63 yr male and not a health related individual.
I have passed through the same ordeal as you since I have memory. I think it was due to holding my urges since did not like going into public bathrooms and other eating/water intake habits. Several months ago I was in your same situation, after trying everything it came to my mind I decided to go with a coconut oil enema (about 6oz of oil in 32oz mixture). It gave my guts the pressure and lubrication it needed to expel the blockage. Also it is a yeast fungicide which I think is helping me to control the candida in me. Sorry for the graphic image but it went out as a cannon ball. It hurt somewhat for a couple of days, but the relieve was so good it surpassed the inconvenience. Since then I've been trying to follow a simple diet from a local naturopathic Dr. For healthy people it's not an appeal able diet.
B1ut in my case I am trying to solve many conditions. It is carrot and potato only 100% of the time (olive oil and unprocessed sea salt) up to when you solve all your issues. He call it the Sustained Fasting. I am eating it with 1/2 teaspoon of garlic. If I follow it, gets me to go to the bathroom daily quiet consistently. I think the addition of garlic (even with its social drawbacks) besides the coconut oil (2 tablespoons with each food intake) is helping me get rid of the candida and at the same time control my constipation. If I fail a day my movements will not move.
If you are still around I hope this helps you and all the others with similar problems. As I write above its not appealing but if you follow it, works.
My best regards
ljkramer
24 June 2018
It seems to me that taking a soapsuds enema would be a lot less unpleasant, and also help you adjust your bowel habits.
Mediumrarestake
4 March 2018
I was constipated for 6 days and was probably the worst week of my life. On the 4th day I was over feeling bloated and uncomfortable so I took miralax, that did not a thing. So the next day I did everything the websites told me I drank a lot of prune juice, water, took gas-X relievers and X-lax which is a stimulant laxative that comes in a pill form because I did not want to use a suppository because I was scared of the feeling. Finally the next morning after I was over still not being able to pass a bowel I had to use the suppository and no kidding 15 minuets later I was able to go. I feel that everything in preparation made it 200000x easier for the suppository to kick in and would actually recommend doing all the methods for which I thought I was going to be constipated for the rest of my life
Hop_to_the_E
19 Jan 2018
Here’s a TIP that has helped me pass medium chunks of stool at a time - when the stool is at your anal opening, like RIGHT inside your hole almost poking out - gently insert a Q-tip halfway into the stool (up your anus) and slowly wiggle it around. This helps break up the stool. I was able to pass a pretty good sized chunk when doing this without adding any pain. Sometimes I would do this, and then like 20 minutes later that chunk would pass pretty smoothly.
pinkfitsperfect
23 Dec 2017
First time on here... I've had problems pooping since birth (literally) it took me two weeks to go as a newborn. And as a child I wouldn't go for a month straight and that was normal for me until I had my gallbladder removed. Now I go every two weeks. But here I am back to having this horrible bowel movement that's stuck and I am so tired of digging it out. It's already down there trying to come out... what can i do to make it soft? Even diaria is fine with me I just really don't want to push this out. Does anyone know something that has actually worked for them? HELP!!
ljkramer
24 June 2018
#1, see a doctor.
#2, buy an enema bag and castile soap packets, and make sure that you don't go more than 3 days without a BM. I think that you'll find it much less trouble to take an enema after 3 days without a BM than to suffer the way you do, now.
Camilaisabel774
19 Oct 2017
Help! I am going through the same thing. It's been around a week since I was last able to poop. It didn't start bothering me until 3 days ago. It seems too big to to fit out of my hole. I have tried a suppository, I have been taking stool softener, I have tried breaking it up with my fingers but that didn't work either. It is hard but super sticky and cannot break apart. I don't know what to do. I am about to go to the hospital. I'm scared I might have fecal impaction. It hurts so much to push. I am getting so nervous. Does it hurt more to go to the hospital and get it removed? I am at wits end. Any suggestions are appreciated
Cyn1115
21 Oct 2017
I sure hope you have either been able to go, or get help... I'm so sorry to hear about your circumstances, as I am fully aware of how it is. I've been lucky to date that I've not been to the hospital, but I am afraid that I have permanent injury and damage. I know I need to see a GI because it's pretty scary.
Inactive
20 Jan 2018
I have been to ER, more times than I care to admit for impaction. Most of the time, I am unable to go without the aid of a laxative (Senna). Glycerin suppositories are not strong enough, and Fleet enemas do not work. I have bought magnesium citrate, but was warned to only take it occassionally, or when really, really needed. Fiber, water, supplements, probiotics do not help me. I have suffered from severe constipation for as long as I can remember. I'm tired of living like this. I don't eat much, my side's and ribs always hurt, don't get much sleep..wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Hospitals are used to this. 42 million Americans have this problem. They will take x-rays and give you an enema. The enema they give you is not uncomfortable at all. You feel so much better. Don't be afraid to go to the ER. Your health is worth it.
Ashleyrae1221
28 Jan 2018
I have had this problem for many years now due to hypotyroidism and the medicines i take. They cause me to be extremely constipated. Over the years i have tried EVERYTHING from softners to digging it out myself. One time i did have to go to the hospital because it was too big to come out and it wouldnt go back up it. So there i was for like 6 hours on the toilet crying trying to get this out. My butt was so sore and my body at this point was even trying to get it out i was involuntarily pushing.. My body was pushing when i wasnt it was awful. So i told them in the e.r. what was going on n of course they wanted me to try the enema which i couldnt even get into my rectum because of this huge mass of poop. But i tried anyways. They took an xray n realized it was about the size of a grapefruit. So they decided to clean me out manually. A dr and a nurse lubed up n cleaned me out.
Im not going to lie n say it wasnt painful but as soon as he was done the pain i felt from him was nothing to the relief i felt from getting that out of me!!! Now i take miralax religiously!!! I take a capful daily and i normally dont have any problems going. So anyone that reads this try miralax but its not going to help right away it will take a couple days to start working but once it works it is wonderful. Cause its not like all the other stuff this actually puts water back into your stool n helps you have to go as well. I dont know why i ever struggled to go when miralax was around. Lol good luck to you all i know exactly how you feel. I hope my answer helps someone along the way!!
Inactive
28 Jan 2018
The only thing about Miralax is that it is an Osmotic Laxative. Meaning you don't have "solid" bowel movements, only watery. I feel bowel movements need to be solid in order to fully evacuate and get all the fecal matter out of you. In case of any impaction. I feel Doctor's prescribe Miralax like candy. There have been FDA warnings on it. It is not as "safe" as it claims. I tried it for a few days, and just had severe cramping. It takes too long to work, if you really have to go. I was just prescribed Linzess 290 mg by Gastroenterologist, but am waiting till I get a day this week where I can be home all day in case of cramping, as I don't know how it will affect me. I just got released from Hospital, where I had to eat more than usual, now very constipated. Took Senna-Lax last night. Have had bowel movements this morning. Normally it works very well. I take it once a week, but today it is not producing much. So, now I feel even more constipated.
Cramping badly. Not sure what to do right now. Have a Doctor's appointment tomorrow, but not sure if I will make it, if this goes on. I hate to go back to ER, but am miserable. I had a nurse try to give me a enema at Hospital, but I could tell she was inexperienced, and might have done more harm than good. Only the soap sud enema came out. I want my life back. How I envy people who don't have this problem. I have no social life anymore. My friends no longer call me, and I have lost so much weight. I'm so worried about my upcoming colonoscopy.
ljkramer
24 June 2018
Check out my above comments and answers about using soapsuds enemas.
Eh225
2 Oct 2017
I haven’t seen anyone mention this: magnesium citrate. Super cheap sold by the bottle at any drugstore. They are clear liquid, they can come flavored but you can mix with sprite too if you don’t like the taste. I recommend chilling in the fridge and drink through a straw.
Magnesium citrate basically relaxes all the intestinal muscles and allows stool to pass unobstructed.
Inactive
2 Oct 2017
Magnesium Citrate just gave me horrific cramps, and water like diarrhea. No formed stools. I still felt I needed to go.
Inactive
24 Aug 2017
I know I am late in responding to this. I have suffered from Chronic constipation since childhood. Gastronololists, rectal specialists, say more Fiber! More water! Try Benefiber! Konsyl! Ground Flaxseed! Linzess! Nuts! Oatmeal! Bran cereal! Yogurt with Acidophilus! But adding more fiber does not work for everyone just makes it worse. Someone told me They take a tablespoon of extra virgin organic olive oil on empty stomach first thing in morning, and a tablespoon at night before dinner. Just have to hold your nose, as the taste is strong..or can add a little lemon juice. I tried it, and it worked! Next day, relief after 6 days.
Inactive
27 Sep 2017
So much for the olive oil trick. I don't have car. Trying to find someone to take me to ER. Think I have a decal impaction. Has sexual abuse as a child, so can't use a suppository or enema on myself. Tried all laxatives. I hate living like this.
patrickaloysius
1 June 2016
yes use fleet mineral oil enema
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