What Should I Do I Have Had Terrible Constipation For 32 Hours?

Posted on Thu, 16 Jul 2020

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

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 Answered on

Wed, 3 Sep 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : URGANT PLEASE Hi, I have had terrible constipation for 32 hours. It feels like there is something really hard by my rectum that won't budge. I get the urge for a XXXXXXX movement which causes bad pain and nothing but a little coloured water and a little gas comes out. I have always been very regular with a nice large soft stool every morning - I eat a lot of finer. But the night before last I was on a canoe trip and was served cheese and sausage pizza - I ate quite a bit and went to bed a bit dehydrated. My problem all started when I got up - felt like usual having to go but couldn't. Pain lessons when I try to hold it in and surprisingly that seems to help the gas and liquid come out I went to a doctor today and he prescribed Dulcolax - took a pill at about noon (about 10 hours ago) and not too much is different. I have been drinking lots of water had a XXXXXXX smoothie and 2 pears. When I stand up or move around the events start very quickly - laying down they take longer. The doctor felt my stomach area I assume looking for serious problems. PMS lactalose Pharma which I haven't taken - I tried a couple suppositories didn't help. Hope to hear from you soon I am in agony and worried about serious complications. I had a colonoscopy 6 months ago and everything was perfect.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (58 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please try what I have prescribed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details and I can feel your agony.
One tablet of dulcolex is not going to help.
Take 2 tablets of dulcolex with 30 ml of lactulose...Still if it does not help use P.C enema.
If still does not pass stool then you need to get yourself investigated for fecoliths(pieces of dried stools).
However I think you would be able to pass motions after following what I suggested.
2 tablets dulcolex
30 ml lactulose( can be increased to 45 ml)

If it does not help P.C enema.

If stool does not pass even after all this write back to me.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (27 minutes later)

Thank you I will let you know how it went in the morning thanks for prompt reply

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Give it minimum 2 days dear.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
No lactulose and Dulcolex may take 24-48 hours.
So give them atleast 48 hours.
If things remain the same use P.C enema.
After that it's good time for further suggestions.
Thank you and wish you get rid of problem..
Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (9 hours later)

Hi, only a tiny bit improvement - many episodes usually just smear on toilet paper - two times a little chunk came out about the size of end of baby finger. Still lots of pain. faeces is about consistency of modelling clay.

How much and when should I take next medication?
Maybe I should try PC enima - what is that and where do I get one? thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Yes try enema.
It's over the counter and available at nearest medic store.
Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (23 minutes later)

Thanks for reply -

There is something called colonics a trendy thing where you go to get an enima - is that a good idea?

I saw there are side effects to PC enima - are they very bad?

should I go to hospital my episodes are agonizing.

Thank you again for your replies XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Those side effects are theroretical.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
If you want you can visit hospital and get an enema there.
Colonics is usually used to clear out complete intestine and is not one time procedure while enema would be one time thing and would cleanse your colon.
However a good idea would be to visit Hospital. Doctor would look for fecoliths(pieces of dried up stool in colon).

Thanks!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (24 minutes later)

Thanks again

Should I take any medication now?
XXXXXXX

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

Thanks again

Should I take any medication now?
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again dear,
If you can get an enema pack from nearest medical shop then you should take it.
If even after taking enema stools does not pass then fecoliths have to be ruled out.
You can take an enema at home(Any one available at medical shop near you).
Revert back after that.
Thank you!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (49 minutes later)

thanks again

Will keep you informed on progress :)
XXXXXXX

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

thanks again

Will keep you informed on progress :)
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you,
Hope you feel relieved soon.
You can contact me any time on the direct link shared below,
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-ramesh-kumar/72660

Thank you and hope you will be fine soon.
Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (5 hours later)

Hi I went to the hospital - had an enima - lucky you told me about the hard rock faeses being a problem - he was going to send me home with an enima do it yourself - I never could have done it - took 40 minutes of on and off pain finally getting a large hard as rock piece out- probably size of 2 babies hands.

So thanks for you advice

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (0 minute later)

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Nice to hear that.

Thank you and take care.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee