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
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 Page 2
Annie 56
29 Jan 2016
I Say Make a 2 Quart warm water enema lie on your left side slowly insert the tube up your rectum in about 15 minutes you will have a good bowel movement .Good luck.
JDSMama
28 Jan 2016
I'm 2.5 yrs late in answering this, haha ;) but I'm posting anyways!!!
Ever since having my first child of 3 back in 2010, I experience HARD and PAINFUL bowel movements, they are a weekly thing for me as a result of constipation. Besides the various meds that have been reccomended in the answers to your question, and what doctors prescribe etc..These are the things I find have helped ME, GIGANTICALLY!
1-I recommend pacing and stepping heel to toe (put your weight down on your heel) as soon as you realize its going to be one of those bathroom times. The constant motion seemed to help push the movement through me.
2-Take DEEP breaths through your nose and out your mouth during these painful bowel movements.
3-Every time you sit down to try and push, make sure you have your feet ELEVATED! I use my childrens potty. You can IMMEDIATELY feel the difference internally... you'll understand... apparently there is a footstool thats been created for just this reason lol
4-When you are ready to push, take a DEEP breath through your nose and push as if you are having a baby (I'm 100% SERIOUS... it's soo true)
GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE WHO READS THIS! I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!! xo
msh7386
19 Jan 2016
I have been struggling with constipation for over 3 weeks. I've tried laxatives, suppository, prune juice, warm liquids like coffee, drinking extra water, going to the hospital and getting treatment and fluids. The hospital told me to try an enema and thus far, still absolutely nothing... Out of three weeks had one very small bm after a laxative. Have to strain to be able to urinate because I think the tube is being cut off. I'm miserable and would try anything. I have IBS with Constipation and Diarrhea and right now I've obviously been in a constipation phase... The medicines I am on are making it worse. The hospital Dr did not take me very seriously but I'm over ten pounds heavier than I was, my pee tube is being compressed and I have a constant urge to go. Plus I've been having stomach pain and recently started having A LOT of painful gas.
Any suggestions for me??? I don't know what else to try...
Ra3154
14 Sep 2017
Hopefully u were able to resolve this issue safely. I comment because a few years back my grandpa had the same issue but it turned out to be a blockage in his intestines which caused the constipation.
EricHollywood
30 May 2018
You may want to see a gastroenterologist to be sure that you'll don't have an obstruction in your Sygmoid or Descending Colon... or a mass in the rectum that may be causing your symptoms.
Otherwise, lIke the rest of us sad sacks, the glove and lunrivaled finger is probably your best option. Hopefully you have someone who cares about to help as doing it solo has difficulties of its own including back sprains, anal/rectal tearing and others.
Good luck.
Annie 56
5 Jan 2016
I Say Get A suppotory inserted into rectum lay down in 20 minutes you will have bowel movement you will feel better
Cyn1115
3 Feb 2017
Will this actually help loosen/dissolve it? I've had this issue more than I'd like to admit. I now have a rectocele because of it. I've never tried the glycerin suppositories because I didn't think it'd work. I've done enemas, of which typically will eventually get me to force it out, ripping along the way. I am not having success with that method right now and on the verge of going to the er, but seen this page, and sent my husband to get glycerin suppositories to try first. I'm also not opposed to trying to manually break it up if I have to, before going to the hospital for this. So embarrassed! I'm just hoping my husband gets back before the urge to forcefully rip everything along the way.
MommaOfThree85
3 Feb 2017
Cyn1115
Did they help??? Same boat here and going crazy
Cyn1115
8 March 2017
So so sorry for the delay in responding. I am new to this site and didn't see the comment. Obviously you know now if it worked for you. It didn't for me, and my husband ended up helping me get it unlodged. As many years as I have suffered, and severely, the past few weeks have been a breeze. Apple juice has been helping me go daily! I still have pain and issues, but that is my curse with diverticulosis, ibs, and rectocele. I hope all went well for you and you didn't have to go to the hospital.
Inactive
20 Aug 2017
I know this is a late response. Have been reading through the posts and I have been suffering from Chronic constipation since childhood. I find that more fiber helps, raisins, grapes, nuts, coffee, more water, but not always, is more fiber the answer. I always end up having to take Senna. So tired of living like this. On my 5th day of not going, after being on Antibiotics. I was sexually abused when I was young, and am unable to insert anything inside my rectum. I see all the people who go to ER, and don't understand why ER can't give you an enema there when all else fails. They do nothing, then we get huge hospital bill, even with insurance.
Cyn1115
24 Aug 2017
Fiber doesn't tend to help me, but cause me more pain. I recently discovered that drinking 2 cups of Apple Juice daily has kept me going daily now for months.. I personally use Motts Apple Juice because the others didn't work. It's something to do with the way it extracts the actual fiber from it. I've also been reading about taking more magnesium will help. Magnesium oxide is the worse because it's the least absorbed. Magnesium malate or magnesium citrate would work the best. Magnesium glycinate is the absolute best form of magnesium, but it's absorbed in different areas so it won't help with constipation. Good luck, and I'm so sorry to hear about your childhood tragedy.
Annetp
26 Sep 2017
I'm facing the same problem I have used almost everything, this is my childhood problem too. I used to take bicodyle which makes it easier but still the more u use it the more you never heal, I tried suppositories glycerin also never worked for me, I have tried everything nothing at all right now I have finished more than 17days without going. Crazy I'm always hungry too
Inactive
27 Sep 2017
Is this board closed? I have been posting, but haven't seen any posts since 2016..
Jules30
27 Sep 2017
I'm reading these threads now. I've always had problems with constipation and find that Miralax does work well. I stopped taking it a few months ago because I felt I didn't need it. Everything had been fine up until about 8 days ago when I switched to gluten-free. I assumed with all the fruits and vegetables I would have no problem! Day 5 I took three laxatives and nothing. For the past 3 days I have been taking stool softeners and double doses of Miralax. Yesterday I finally had a bowel movement but it was literally huge hard chunks, but I knew I still needed to go more! Sorry to sound disgusting! I assumed after another dose of Miralax I would go this morning. I could not go and it was hurting so bad, so I decided to try a saline enema, that did not work! My mother then gave me a glove with Vaseline and said try to break it up! As gross as it was I did that but barely broke it up! So now I'm laying on my bed after inserting 3 glycerin suppositories.
I am hoping this helps because I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't! I am 10 mins into suppositories so I will post an update!
Cyn1115
27 Sep 2017
That is so terrible, isn't it?? I've been fairly lucky the past few months, but dealing with horrible stomach pain right now and haven't gone in several days. When I posted earlier in the year, I ended up having my husband break it up. Thank God he is so nurturing and always willing to do anything he can to help. I wish you the best of luck!
Jules30
27 Sep 2017
Thank you so much it's the worst! My mother's an RN she said stick 2 or 3 up there, waited an hour and it wasn't much but was hard and dense. I told her I could still feel more and it feels impacted still so she said try a few more suppositories considering their glycerin she said they wouldn't hurt me. Did say to take a break after this! Usually after 3 days of Miralax I'm fine but not this time! I'm hoping after everything today, clearing that blockage, I will get back to normal after this!
EricHollywood
30 May 2018
Cyn.
While it may be the most unromantic interaction one could imagine, I know from dealing with this that self manipulation can cause damage as bad or worse than pushing it out.
So... ask your husband to gently break it up. There is no good angle of deep enough penetration to do it easily yourself, but another person has no such complications. Ask him to wear the glove, lubricate the index finger and gently insert it while trying to either manipulate the shape of the offending stool or to get around a portion on it like a hook and break it up that way.
Best of luck. I'll have to tell this story about my own difficulties to the next person who says a "perfect" god designed our bodies... lol.
cessymarie
12 Aug 2015
I suggest trying a combination of Linzess 290 mcg and 1 tablespoonful of Lactulose 10 gm/15 ml . This is working for me.
loudlaura
1 Feb 2015
On toilet for over an hour with need to push... No way I could push this out..I finally put on a glove & while pushing shoved my finger in ... it was released !!! Relieved..didn't poop in 3 days
Annie 56
24 Dec 2015
That'd good you are relieved I need relief
Annie 56
5 Jan 2016
Next time you get conspatEd get A glycerin suppository lay on your side inert in your rectum it should make relief in 20 minutes you will be fine.That's What I Do
andi555
29 April 2014
I stil hav had no luck at usin the bathrm. 2day is day 19. I feel as tho I'm dyin. Ther is so much pressure nd the stool is so large tht its like pushn my meow meow shut makin sex nearly impossible nd extremely painful whn I try. Idk wut 2 do. Iv made 3 trips 2 the er nd theyv done nuthn.
aspen6782
17 Jan 2015
I had the same problem las night. I am a nurse and there are many ways to get it out wIthout it hurting. If you go to the ER they will give a softener and hook up liQuids to your vains and this helps immediately. Your problem may be caused because your body cannot digest fiber properly. This can cause hard and uncomfortable bowel movements. Your best luck is going to the hostpital.
Shiloh53
1 Oct 2015
I hope you get some help...
Annie 56
5 Jan 2016
Get glycerin suppository lay on your side insert the suppository make sure it cold it will slide right in lay there 20 minutes you will have a bowel movement what a relief you will have good luck.
Amy A
13 Aug 2013
I just had success using the glove/vaseline suggestion; I've used this trick once before awhile ago. I've been constipated for the last 4 days and I've had the urge to go almost all day at work but without luck after trying several times in the ladies room. When I got home I applied vaseline around the anus. I didn't try to break it up but instead just pushed, and also helped the stool to come out using the gloved hand; it was very thick, hard and dry and it was no wonder that I couldn't pass it. I needed relief so badly all day and I feel so much better now. I really appreciate the helpful tips here, especially on a topic that isn't the most pleasant to talk about.
Annie 56
24 Dec 2015
I am conspatEd I need something to make me move my bowels
smileyhappy
20 July 2013
Hi Katie,
Oh how I can relate to your condition right now! It has happened to me several times in my life! Now I take a stool softener and a sennosides (to help go) every evening because my meds constipate me. I no longer get this problem. So start that now and stop eating cheese and things that make your stool hard until the stool softener and sennoside do their job.
Good luck girl,
DzooBaby
20 July 2013
I would do like the previous poster said, try a glycerin suppository first to try to soften it up. If not, you may have to break the hard ball up digitally (with your fingers). This can happen with bad constipation. Hopefully the supp. will do the trick but if it doesnt, get a medical glove, apply some KYJelly or Vaseline and GENTLY insert a finger and try to gently break up the ball of stool. You should be able to break it up enough to pass it. If you are not able to do so then you may have to go to the hospital and have a nurse help you. An enema may not be effective because you wont likely be able to get it past the stool and if you do, it will just increase the pressure behind it and if the ball of stool is big and hard enough, it can tear the anal opening leading to a painful fissure. You dont want that. This is very very painful I know! Good Luck!
AmyKyn
19 July 2013
An enema will more give you the urge to go. I would try a glycerin suppository. It's a bit uncomfortable but if you can keep it in for 20-30 minutes it will help soften the stool and make you go. I have IBS so I battle this all the time. I would recommend a suppository over the enema.
Annie 56
5 Jan 2016
I Agree A Suppository Will Give You relief in 20 minutes lay on your side insert lay down 20 minutes you will have a bowel movement it will be worth it to have relief
Zanardyman
13 July 2018
Can use glycerin suppository everyday . I am having a lot trouble with constipation.
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