Constipation - Is it dangerous to push too hard?

Question

Last week I had an operation on my knee under general anesthetic. I left hospital and was given Cocodemol to take. Since being in hospital I have been unable to pass stools. It has been 8 days since I was last able to go.
I've been taking senakot and eating fruit. I do feel the urge to go, but at the last point, I feel excruciating pain. I push as much as a can and it feels like I'm going to split my body in two.
If I push real hard, will it tear anything or cause any damage?
Or do I just need to wait it out?
I stopped taking the cocodemol 2 days ago in the hope it would stop, but it hasn't.

Answer 1

A big downside of taking that drug is the constipation. It makes the poo like plasticine and its very hard to pass often even with laxatives. If you push really hard it will cause piles. After 8 days you really need to get rid of the waste. I would have a colonic irrigation.

Answer 2

I wish I had read this 2 days ago! I've been constipated for almost a week and to the point I could feel I had to go but it just would not happen. After trying for a while my bottom was just swollen and painful. Soooo I bought some milk of magnesia. Bad idea! After looking up different medications and how they worked I learned that this would in fact cause my body to push it on through on its own. Not a lie! Toaday I had to go so bad...I was in severe pain. I had already made a Dr appointment for later today. I went to use the bathroom and my body started contracting on its own. I couldn't stop it:( needless to say it forced the compacted bm out and then the flood gates were open:( the worst of it is I had to put on a glove and break it up in the toilet so I could even flush it. Even that took work. It was almost as wide as a can of cola. Now I am in severe pain, I can't see the Dr until tomorrow and I'm fairly sure I've done some permanent damage. GO SEE A DR!

Answer 3

Thank goodness you stopped the cocodamol! It is a common but totally inappropriate drug in general and specifically for someone who has just had surgery. Its commonest side effect is constipation and it is no more than 5% more potent than paracetamol anyway.



Increase your fluid intake and also add some lactulose, which you can take with senna. Try not to push too much, you are however unlikely to cause ant real damage.

Answer 4

The Cocodamol will be the cause of your constipation no doubt.



Try drinking plenty of water and try to eat fruit with seeds in like kiwifruit. Prunes are also a good option. The water should help to soften the stool. Don't force to hard because you may cause an anal fissure which is a tear to the tissure of the anus.

Answer 5

Ask the Doctor to give you something, to make it easy to go. Believe me its going to be hell now. Pain killer constipation is murder. You gone beyond the point of no return. You are now what is termed 'chronic'. Solution one, you will be given a Suppository up your back passage to get you to go. If that fails, drug mixed in water to drink. Then other laxatives, and possibly a different suppository. If that fails doctors give you medication mixed in water intended for operations, on those who need cancer x-rays but no faeces, ie clean inside to diagnose tumours. Thats the last drastic resort. It works. May take hours. Will feel about to go, nothing, until finally, it will exit. And relief. Not available over counter. But it works. And then the opposite. Then it will stabilise. Get help now.

Senakot is useless at this point. Trust me. Seek help. Straining will tear your back passage. Then it will be painful. Its too late now, you need urgent help. It will get worse, not better. You will get to the point where you will start to leak, ie overflow, and not stop leaking, nor be able to empty your bowel, because it just won't exit. Too hard. Too solid. Get help, ask your doctor, tell him. Its urgent you seek help now. Good luck!



Extract from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Constipation/Pages/Treatment.aspx

''Laxatives

Laxatives are a type of medicine that help you pass stools. There are several different types and each one has a different effect on your digestive system.

Bulk-forming laxatives

Your GP will normally start you on a bulk-forming laxative. These laxatives work by helping your stools to retain fluid. This means they are less likely to dry out, which can lead to faecal impaction (read about complications of constipation). Bulk-forming laxatives also make your stools denser and softer, which means they should be easier to pass.

Commonly prescribed bulk-forming laxatives include ispaghula husk, methylcellulose and sterculia. When taking this type of laxative, you must drink plenty of fluids. Also, do not take them before going to bed. It will usually be two to three days before you feel the effects of a bulk-forming laxative.

Osmotic laxatives

If your stools remain hard after you have taken a bulk-forming laxative, your GP may prescribe an osmotic laxative instead. Osmotic laxatives increase the amount of fluid in your bowels. This helps to stimulate your body to pass stools and also softens stools.

Commonly prescribed osmotic laxatives include lactulose and macrogols. As with bulk-forming laxatives, make sure you drink enough fluids. It will usually be two to three days before you feel the effect of the laxative.''

Answer 6

Please see this page for side effects of Senakot . I don't know who told you to take this drug but it looks like a pretty risky venture to me.

"No bowel movement " is one of the side effects listed as "serious - see your doctor" and of course "stop the medication."



So immediately seek medical advice and for immediate relief you can soak some prunes in hot water and start eating them till your bowels move.

And yes, pushing too hard can cause damage.

Answer 7

First and foremost, you should not strain yourself. There are safe medications available to ease your condition and take them after consulting with your Doctor. In the meanwhile, you would do well to consume plenty of water and fruits which will definitely facilitate easy passage.

Answer 8

Yes it can be very dangerous to push to hard, your blood pressure drops which can cause you to pass out. I know this because I took care of a man who did just that, he pushed to hard then he passed out and fell off the toilet.

Answer 9

infection?obviously keep up the fluids for now yes drain it all through you need to get diagnosed with some thing .Could be a variety of different solutions to what we need blimey.Cerials eat a mans breakfast morning time a little chocolate that and a zoot i dump for england