www.incontinentsupport.org

Ok, this is sligtly off topic, but last night i was really constipated, to the point of needing to manually evacuate my bowels with my finger.. and im wondering if i should see a doctor about stool impaction, of if just a plain ol' over the counter fleet enema will fix me up.. ive already taken a glycerin suppository, but i still feel pain down there. Any insight would be appreciated.

Btw, i am passing gas so im not blocked.. I know, TMI, but lets face it, this board is TMI.. TMI is the reality of our situation.

Peace out!

Rob

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"We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love" Mother Teresa

"THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS!" - Captain Picard from Chain of Command, Part II

Colon blockages are common among folks whose GI systems are paralyzed. Dulcolax suppositories would be a good first attempt. If that doesn't work, an enema should do the trick. In the future, watch your diet, and take a stool softener tablet (ducosate sodium) if you haven't had a bowel movement in three days. Good luck and report back.

One of the things I did as a nurse is to check for a fecal blockage. If there is one I would have to manually remove it. It is important to keep your colon open. The advice of a fleet enema is good, you could also try an oil fleet enema. Once clear, the over the counter stool softener suggested should be taken as directed on the package. If a fecal blockage is left in it can become extremely hard and may need to be removed by surgery.

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RetiredRN

Sociologygeek,

Others have given you good advice. Here is mine.

Try Miralax (PEG). In small doses, it softens the stool to help you go but does not "make" you go. I have chronic severe constipation and my GI doc recommended it to me. I also perform manually remove hardened stool, use digital stimulation to help prompt a bowel movement and use either bisacodyl suppositories or enemas (usually enemas).

--John

I do manual evacuations and can recommend if you do need to do it then coconut oil is very helpful as a lubricant. I prefer nitrile gloves (usually blue) as the most comfortable.