I hope this does not break the rules on this sub. I can remove if needed. I thought I must be going enough not to be constipated — I’ve had some big, painful poops this week but only take like 10 seconds to come out with some pushing (like Monday at work and today), and even smaller pebble ones in between. But it always feels like there’s more left inside me and i dont know how. I also notice bright red blood on paper like a nose bleed. Tonight I feel the urge again even if went this morning but can’t go since the bathroom is through a family bedroom. Is this still constipation considering I am going a lot , or something else?
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You have haemorrhoids
If they are big and painful and tearing small bleeding fissures, then you need more water and fiber to soften things. Try doubling your water intake, having a few fiber capsules at lunch, and adding green salad to dinner with berries for dessert.
Yes, it is possible and the most common form of constipation. The bleeding could also be from straining. I work in Healthcare so will always say to call your PCP for advice first… but if that’s not an option for you, we tell everyone, be careful with at-home laxatives. Follow directions carefully. Don’t overdo it because you think it’s not working, it will. Be patient! Lots of water, increase fiber (through diet, not just supplements -consistently!), and get some walking in.
However, if this is a consistent issue with you or if it’s been going on for awhile now, pleeeease just go to the doctor.
Miralax is good for softening things up so they pass through easily. You can get a generic on Amazon called Clearlax for about $10. I mix it in chocolate milk, can’t taste it, it’s not thick and gooey. And it doesn’t give me the screaming painful runs like other laxative products.
Those big fast poops are ripping your anus a bit, causing the blood. You may also have hemorrhoids starting from straining. Do the Clearlax.
You are constipated and you have hemorrhoids. Tucks pads and Moringa will have you right as rain in no time.
Sounds like you have either hemorrhoids or anal fissures. But other than that, it is certainly possible to be having bowel movements everyday but having them be incomplete and not actually expelling all that needs to be expelled. Usually, a lot more should be coming out than we think.
You can be constipated and have diarrhea at the same time.
Bowel protocol is usually some variation of stool softener plus senna. You can often get them combined into one over the counter medication. The stool softener can help offset the problems caused by too much bulk and too little water (AKA help reduce the tearing that is causing the bleeding). You might need to take it more than once before you’re totally empty. If you feel abdominal cramping, that’s actually a good sign, because it means things are finally moving again. Water is your best friend right now. Massaging your belly or applying heat can help with the cramping, because it will help the muscles feel better.
And in general: yes, you can be constipated and going every day. I’ll try to make this the least gross description possible, but basically, your intestines kind of inch the poo along as a sort of sludge, and when it reaches the end it starts to form a “fecal column” which is the term for what it looks like when it comes out. When the column builds up enough, you get the urge to push it out. However, this requires a relatively balanced amount of stuff like fiber and water. If it dries out, you get those little pebbles breaking off at the end of the column. Those parts come out, but the rest of the column is stuck, because it’s too hard to move. Sometimes, you can get partially, but not fully, constipated, which is known as “impaction.” This means there is a hard clump of stool almost, but not fully, obstructing part of the intestine. Your body can sometime push loose enough stool around it, so what comes out looks like diarrhea, but you still have all the symptoms of constipation on top of it. Constipation can look like many things! The key is knowing your patterns and your “normal” so that you can better identify a problem. With love from your friendly neighborhood nurse
You are definitely constipated. I don’t think you have hemorrhoids, just too dry.
Drink half a cup of prune daily and/or a daily stool softener. You will feel better in a few days. Don’t stop once it gets better, but you can reduce or increase the amount as needed.
Look up Bristol Chart.
Fiber, hydration, exercise and especially don’t strain to poop. Hemorrhoids can trick one into feeling like one need to go more and sitting on the pot waiting. Do what you can do easily and stop til next time.
I am a retired nurse.
The pebbles are the very definition of constipation and a sure sign you need to change something.
That bedroom/bathroom situation is not good. You need to go when you feel the urge.
Taking some laxative or stool softener is probably helpful and some glycerine suppository can be helpful (lubricates and gives an urge feeling)
Things to have in the house, so you don’t have to call paramedics as someone mentioned: vinyl exam gloves in your size. Fleets enema. Lubricant. Next would be an enema can for large volume enema, buy it on amazon. Find directions to use on Youtube. There are some very good, noncreepy videos available.
If you’re taking any narcotic, including Fentanyl or heroin, that is the source of your problem. Reduce your useage. Pain pills too. You probably already know missing a dose causes abdominal pain/cramping. This is all related.
That bleeding should be checked – go see your doctor.