Suggest Treatment For Chronic Constipation

Posted on Wed, 8 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 8 Feb 2017 Answered on

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I i've had constipation my whole life. My normal bowel movements usually consist of hard small pieces. However the other day my stomach was hurting very very bad which is unusual for me. So I went ahead and took Ducolax overnight relief and I only took one and the next morning I had a bowel movement but it was still the normal art pieces and I didn't go that much but I did feel better. So the next day went by and I didn't go to the bathroom at all and then came the next day and I had gone to the bathroom and all so that night I took to ducolax overnight relief pills. I took them around 6 PM and I went to bed around 8 PM. Throughout the night I kept waking up with bad stomach pains just uncomfortable and even felt a bit nauseous when I got up to go use the bathroom. I didn't end up going to the bathroom at all so fell back asleep at 2 AM. I woke up at 6 AM again same issue and Went to the bathroom and I did go but it was just a tiny bit and it was still the pieces. My concern however was that there was a white-ish ghost looking stuff on my stool as well as blood specs, red blood specs. It wasn't a lot of blood but I could tell that it was in specs on/in the stool. I want to head and went back to bed at 6 AM and woke up at nine and rush to the bathroom and went and I had diarrhea. Following three more trips the bathroom with diarrhea. There wasn't any blood that I could tell in the diarrhea. I feel fine now a bit of an uneasy stomach due to the runs but other than that I feel better. But I'm really concerned I made an appointment with my doctor for 22 February should I be concerned and go to the ER or am I OK I just need help figuring out what I should do please help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
severe constipation related anal fissure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I can understand your concern for GI symptoms.
1) There is no need to visit ER.
2) Your primary problem is severe constipation since long time which can cause inadequate defecation due to which large intestine would be loaded with stool and undigested stuff and this is responsible for appearance of stomach pain.
3) Blood on stool is from excessive straining to pass stool which can cause small tear on lower part of inner surface of anal canal and occasional episodes of bleeding occur.
4) for constipation, you should take stool softener or laxatives, adequate green leafy vegetables in diet, maintaining hydration.
5) I would also suggest you to discuss possibility of colonoscopy for evaluation of such severe and long duration constipation.

Hope I answered your query. If you have any further doubts, I would be happy to help you.
Have a nice day!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (30 minutes later)

Okay thankyou! Definitley helps ease my thoughts. Do you know what the ghost phlem looking stuff on my stool is? And what would you reccomend I eat since I am now having diarreah from ducolax laxative?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
mucus from fissure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
1) I am new to this terminology 'Ghost' but i think it is due to presence of mucus type sticky material with blood steak on surface of stool.
2) There are medications to stop laxative related diarrhea but it is not recommended to start without consulting a physician as it will further slow down your intestinal movement and might develop functional intestinal obstruction. Just as precaution to avoid such diarrhea episode, try to use laxative on every alternate day or when required.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad