I have barely been able to poop for like a week now when do I worry?

Posted by ehdog @ehdog, Mar 15 3:35pm

Like
Only very little poop
When should I get checked?

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Wala | @ashlynnmae | Mar 15 3:37pm

That’s uncomfortable, but it’s not an emergency. I’d only go in if you start having black, tar like stool and if you’re vomiting everything you eat or drink, including water.
In the meantime, try drinking plenty of water, moving around a bit, and maybe using some fiber, a stool softener, or magnesium.

ehdog | @ehdog | Mar 15 3:52pm

In reply to @ashlynnmae "That’s uncomfortable, but it’s not an emergency. I’d only go in if you start having black,..." + (show)

@ashlynnmae

I have pooped only a handful (not literally but I think Abt that much lol) for over a week!

Wala | @ashlynnmae | Mar 15 3:53pm

In reply to @ehdog "@ashlynnmae I have pooped only a handful (not literally but I think Abt that much lol)..." + (show)

@ehdog
That’s definitely constipation. Take my advice, alright? It’s not an emergency. Have you been dealing with anything overwhelming lately? That can contribute to it.

ehdog | @ehdog | Mar 15 3:56pm

In reply to @ashlynnmae "@ehdog That’s definitely constipation. Take my advice, alright? It’s not an emergency. Have you been dealing..." + (show)

@ashlynnmae
When does it become impaction and not just constipation

Wala | @ashlynnmae | Mar 15 3:57pm

In reply to @ehdog "@ashlynnmae When does it become impaction and not just constipation" + (show)

@ehdog
It becomes concerning if you have severe and worsening abdominal pain, a very swollen belly, you can’t pass gas, and you’re vomiting everything you eat or drink.

ehdog | @ehdog | Mar 15 5:18pm

In reply to @ashlynnmae "@ehdog It becomes concerning if you have severe and worsening abdominal pain, a very swollen belly,..." + (show)

@ashlynnmae

What if I was having trouble passing gas? Like it took a minute

Wala | @ashlynnmae | Mar 15 5:20pm

In reply to @ehdog "@ashlynnmae What if I was having trouble passing gas? Like it took a minute" + (show)

@ehdog
That’s normal with constipation. It can slow things down in the intestines, which makes gas move more slowly or feel harder to pass.
But it still sounds like regular constipation.

snoots | @snoots | Mar 15 10:34pm

In reply to @ashlynnmae "That’s uncomfortable, but it’s not an emergency. I’d only go in if you start having black,..." + (show)

@ashlynnmae try a glycerin suppository, prune juice. Cap full of Mira lax 2 times a day until results.sorry I know it’s uncomfortable

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Mar 16 4:36am

@ehdog
Welcome to Mayo Connect!
In addition to the glycerin suppository and MiraLax you can try a stimulant laxative such as Senokot, Dulcolax or Prunelax to get things going.
If none of this works you could contact your doctor for advice.

lauracbaker | @lauracbaker | Mar 16 7:56am

IDK how common this would be, but my "irregularity" was caused by dairy. Once I stopped eating cheese and milk, even a small amount, things moved much better. I now love pizza with no cheese, and can live happily without things like ice cream or Cool whip (no, it's NOT dairy-free); I substitute coconut milk when milk is called for, such as cereal or baking. This happened at about 40yo for me.