Stomach, Digestive & Bowel Disorders

Maybe I am just lucky, but I am 46 yo and I have only had the following problem for the past year or so (and only a few times - thank heaven.)  Please excuse how graphic my description of my problem is.

This morning I had to move my bowels and it just would not come out.  It was piled up right behind my anal opening.  I could not go about my normal business because, well, I had a pile of poop about to come out.  It took an hour before I could resolve the issue.  After it came out it was not at all hard, it was just a lot of normal consistency poop.  It was as if my muscles in my anus just weren't working.  This happened to me the first time about a year ago and it has happened a few times since.  I did not feel at all sick leading up to any of these incidents - no stomach cramping at least.  I get a fair amount of exercise and drink a lot of fluids.  I eat well as well - yesterday I had a homemade salad for lunch and a sweet potato and Miso soup for dinner.

I have had flu like symptoms for the past week and I did take a cough syrup with codeine a few times.  But I don't think it had a lot of codeine and I only took the cough syrup 4 times the entire week - I hadn't taken it at all yesterday.

Is this what constipation is like?  It wasn't just uncomfortable it was debilitating.

THanks for any input you can provide.

Robin

Hi Robin and welcome to the board. Don't worry about graphic descriptions -- how else can we know what is going on?

While constipation usually involves a harder BM than normal, it does sound like your problem could be constipation. How long was it since your last BM? From several times a day up to every 3 days is considered normal, but most important is what is usual for you.

Most of us don't get enough fiber in our diets, so you might try eating more high-fiber foods -- and being sure you drink plenty of water.

If this problem continues, becomes more frequent or interferes with your normal activities then you should probably see your doctor just to rule out some underlying problem.

Co-CL for Stitcher's Niche 
CL for Osteoporosis & Bone Health
CL for Stomach, Digestive & Bowel Disorders

 

 

Thank you, Internet, for letting me observe so many crazy people from a safe distance!

 

   

I think the codeine could have caused the problem. Even though you were not on it much/long/or at the time.

I have used glycerin suppositories when I have the same issue. It works fast and makes things MOVE! lol No pain...Don't use them often though you dont want your body to become dependent on them.

Hope you are feeling better!

Thanks to both of you.  I am beginning to think that it was the codeine as well.  I don't use that cough syrup often, and I have never had that reaction to it before, but I still think that that was the culprit.  My kids' pediatrician once told me that the best way to avoid constipation was to drink a full glass of water before any other food each morning when you wake up.  I have been doing that since that morning and I have not had any more problems.  Hopefully I can keep this problem under control.

Thanks again.

Robin