How long is it safe to go without pooping?? TMI for some maybe

Renesmee

Ok, haven't pooped since Sat morning...  I've tried eating everything that usually works...Fiber One cereal, prunes, fruits/salads, water, coffee, colace, etc. and nothing has worked.  DH picked up some mineral oil so I will try that tonight.  But is there a timeframe that it could become unsafe to have that much backed up in you?  DH thinks I should call the Dr, but I don't think it has been that long that I need to bother him yet.

Lucky428

You must be unbelievably miserable and uncomfortable.  Since SATURDAY?!  Call your doctor and get something stronger to help you go. 

mrsmyers8

Dang, do you feel ill.  I know when i couldn't poop for four days i was ill to my tummy.  Plus it felt like i was sitting on a log.  I tried everything.  Finnaly got some relief.. 

devenney

I would call the dr.  Probably not the best thing for you and so uncomfortable.  They might  be able to give you something to help you. 

eokorie

Probably not that long. Saturday? Try watermelon...we're best friends and I go twice a day. Sorry, TMI.

Prinycesa07

Up until last week i was only going once a WEEK!  every 7-8 days.  Then at my dr. appt. my doctor had me start taking colace and i'm going every 2-3 days now.

urbanbaby09

mrsmyers8:

Plus it felt like i was sitting on a log.

 OMG. I cannot stop laughing at this for some reason! And call the doctor so you can get things moving! 

michak86

Vanilla milkshake from McDonalds did the trick for me.

beachykeen1723

Someone posted about hot water with lemon juice, I would try that before you call the Dr.

tmj2008

I once went 10 days before I was pregnant and it was HORRIBLE.  I barely ate for the last couple days.  See a doctor before you get to that point..please!!!

Max'smom

I don't know about an adult but with an infant it is 5 days without and then they have you put a suppository in.

abbzy85

I know it probably won't sound great, but for a few weeks I was only going about once a week. I felt fine until the 6th day - then I was forced to take something strong but it always gave me horrible stomach cramping and diarrhea. Ask your Dr. (my husband also totally freaked out) when you have a chance but it's important that you feel okay. I normally only go a few times a week so it wasn't bothering my body and my Dr. was not concerned. For some reason after changing locations (road trip from NY to FL) I am now more regular.

Good luck! All the prunes, fruit juice, fiber etc never worked for me, although once I had a really big salad and that provided some relief.

StacyJK

Just call your doctor. I don't know a time frame but you will be so much more comfortable when you get to go.

4realyo

I have gone like 8 days before - I dont see why it would be "unsafe". Have you tried walking? That always helps me.

Suzi-G-

beachykeen1723:

Someone posted about hot water with lemon juice, I would try that before you call the Dr.

I'm not the one who posted that before but I was MISERABLE up until yesterday.  I started drinking water w/ lemon (lots of lemon, enough that you can really taste it and drink lots of it).  I did cold water though, hot might work faster.    It worked for me in about 6-12 hours.  Good luck  

jenny1980

It's not a huge deal.

You can try Colace, milk of magnesia (this will work--I promise) or Metamucil. I would try one of those options before calling your doctor.

 

MrsSandro

I have gone 7 days. But it wasn't good for me.

neonvicki81

Are you giving yourself enough time in the bathroom? I know that I cant go as fast as I used to be able to. Make sure that you are allowing yourself a good 20 minutes. Everything else can wait!!

shainababygirl

abbzy85:

I know it probably won't sound great, but for a few weeks I was only going about once a week. I felt fine until the 6th day - then I was forced to take something strong but it always gave me horrible stomach cramping and diarrhea. Ask your Dr. (my husband also totally freaked out) when you have a chance but it's important that you feel okay. I normally only go a few times a week so it wasn't bothering my body and my Dr. was not concerned. For some reason after changing locations (road trip from NY to FL) I am now more regular.

Good luck! All the prunes, fruit juice, fiber etc never worked for me, although once I had a really big salad and that provided some relief.

 

THIS!!! EXACTLY!! Seriously, I felt like I was reading about my life for the first TWENTY WEEKS.

My doctor (you might just call to check) approved colace, miralax and dulcolax (both the suppositories and stool softeners). The Colace and Correctal (that was also approved), cramped me so bad I was in tears. The suppository made my anus burn (sorry, tmi, I know), but it helped IMMENSELY and I had little to no cramping. The Miralax is the safest thing for long term use, but I'd use a suppository to get ya started. 

Drink as MUCH water as possible. That has REALLY helped me in the last two weeks. Also, get FRESH corn on the cob and at 2 cobs a night. I've gone 3 times in 2 days! So excited!

Polofsky

Let me just preface this by saying I work in a nursing home...

My old folks SWEAR by a cup of warm prune juice with a tablespoon of butter mixed in. I've never tried it and personally it makes me want to vomit just to think about it...but thats a long time to go without a poop!

ColTim32

I've always had problems with this, even before I got pregnant. I must just have a really slow digestive system!  There are many weeks when I only go once.  It does suck, but I don't think it's unsafe. When I get really uncomfortable, I use Milk of Magnesia (the kind you drink) and it always works for me.  I might have to try it 2 days in a row for it to work, but it usually works after the first dose. I take a dose at night before bed and I usually go the following day.  It doesn't cause cramping or anything for me either. Just drink lots of water. Good luck!

angie05161

I'm just posting to say I can relate.  I usually don't have regular BMs, but when I went 4-5 days this week, I was not happy.  I finally did get some relief and I've been 4 times in the last 2 days...sorry TMI.

My doctor was no help either.  Told me to walk and eat more fiber...well no kidding? I'm already doing that!  Sorry, I'm feeling cynical about my dr lately.

kscarlett5683

I can't answer your question specifically because I've always wondered myself.

 But,...don't know if you have a White Castle in your area but EVERYONE I knows who have them call them "murder burgers" and they should work like a charm.

 If you don't have one in your area, they might sell them frozen at the supermarket.

I know this sounds ridiculously funny....and it is....but I'm so not joking. They work. LOL :-)

123*

Well at my job if a patient doesn't have a bowel movement in 3 days we give a laxative, if that doesn't work by the end of the next shift we give a suppository.

4evaurgirl

This was me last weekend.  The longest that it's been was probably 8 days.  I feel your pain.  I've tried the Mineral Oil (3 gulps) 2 x a week, and for a while that worked.  Get some OTC stool softeners.  Doesnt produce a very "normal" poop, but who cares if it's normal, just as long as it's out.  From a previous surgery, I used Magnesium Citrate.  It tasted horrible and beware.  I drank the whole bottle before bed and at like 2:30 a.m. woke up having to go.  Refrigerate it though before drinking it.  The only thing that worked for me this past weekend was milk of magnesia.  4 Tbsp did the trick.  I took it Sunday night and was on the potty off and on all day Monday.  Oh, and enemas work pretty well too, just don't force it.  At my dr. appt. yesterday, he suggested Miralax.  I'm gonna take it every other day to see how that works.  There should be some kind of group on here specifically for this.  Party Poopers Unite!

RaeAnt

Maybe try some tea.. if you can drink hot tea with lemon in  it and lots of water.

Genevieved

try prune juice, I heard that works really well if you don't call your doc today I would call them tomorrow if you still haven't gone.  Drink lots and lots of water, this may also help.

tashacu02

Get some suppositories ASAP, they work wonders!! And you should be concerned b/c honestly you should be going at least once a day and the more you eat, the worst it will get.

leffe1

I have the same issue. My doctor told me to take colace 3-4 times/day. It has helped a little bit. It sucks. This is not a dangerous condition either.

NMH0783

ColTim32:

I've always had problems with this, even before I got pregnant. I must just have a really slow digestive system!  There are many weeks when I only go once.  It does suck, but I don't think it's unsafe. When I get really uncomfortable, I use Milk of Magnesia (the kind you drink) and it always works for me.  I might have to try it 2 days in a row for it to work, but it usually works after the first dose. I take a dose at night before bed and I usually go the following day.  It doesn't cause cramping or anything for me either. Just drink lots of water. Good luck!

Yep! thats what works for me when I get uncomfortable. My doc. said its totally safe, so I take it once a week to keep myself from getting bloated and feeling nasty. Just take some before bed and drink water, it really helps. But if you're unsure, call your doctor and they should be able to prescribe something. Good luck!

mayowife

I've gone 10 days. I told my OB way after the fact and she was not happy. She said take 100 mg of Colace before bed. If no BM in the AM take 100 more. If no BM that day 200-250 before bed. If no BM the AM take 200-250 more. If no BM that day 200-250 before bed. If no BM in the AM call her.

I guess all that equals 3 days, then call.  She said to follow the above any day I don't go and that it's okay to always take the 100 before bed.

She also said further down the road severe constipation can cause pre-term or false labor.

brinabfly

kscarlett5683:

I can't answer your question specifically because I've always wondered myself.

 But,...don't know if you have a White Castle in your area but EVERYONE I knows who have them call them "murder burgers" and they should work like a charm.

 If you don't have one in your area, they might sell them frozen at the supermarket.

I know this sounds ridiculously funny....and it is....but I'm so not joking. They work. LOL :-)

 

 

heh heh we call them as well as Krystal burgers "Gut Grenades".