Fecal Impaction... Help!

[dillyfiend]

OK, so I have a problem... And not to gross anybody out or anything, but those of you that are squemish should probably not read this.

So, for those of you that don't know, I am a stage four cancer patient... And I also have a very serious H habit to combat the pain. I have dealt with chronic constipation for a good year and occasionally (well more often than not actually) I get what is called a fecal impaction... Where the stool is so big and so hard that it literally cannot be passed. I have been taking Miralax everyday for the past two weeks, but it has been over three weeks since my last bowel movement.

The last time this happened, I had to take two mineral oil enemas, put on latex gloves, and use astroglide to push a tiny little bit out at a time and then scrape it out. It took about two days, was painful as hell, and incredibly embarrassing.

I have had some colonics in the past but they run about $200. Does anybody have any suggestions? It really hurts and I don't know what else to do.

[reddragon3668]

I am really sorry to hear that your having this trouble. It seems to go with the territory. Allot of cancer patients that I've know, family members, have had this trouble. Usually, they were on hospice and had nurses caring for them on a routine basis. The nurses would don' the gloves and do the duty.. (no pun intended ;))

If it were me, and I had not had a colon-cleaning session for three weeks, I would be at the ER. They get paid good money to do that kind of stuff, and they probably can help make you a little more comfortable while doing so. I would definitely get it checked out and taken care of. Allot of bad things can happen if we stay backed up for too long.

Hope you feel better. Do let us know how it goes.


OK, so I have a problem... And not to gross anybody out or anything, but those of you that are squemish should probably not read this.

So, for those of you that don't know, I am a stage four cancer patient... And I also have a very serious H habit to combat the pain. I have dealt with chronic constipation for a good year and occasionally (well more often than not actually) I get what is called a fecal impaction... Where the stool is so big and so hard that it literally cannot be passed. I have been taking Miralax everyday for the past two weeks, but it has been over three weeks since my last bowel movement.

The last time this happened, I had to take two mineral oil enemas, put on latex gloves, and use astroglide to push a tiny little bit out at a time and then scrape it out. It took about two days, was painful as hell, and incredibly embarrassing.

I have had some colonics in the past but they run about $200. Does anybody have any suggestions? It really hurts and I don't know what else to do.

[through_hate]

Try La Maz classes? jk. I never knew there was a way around the H-Bombs. I just breath, hold on to something and let er rip

[I'm-Nod-Addicted]

The torpedoes have always worked for me.

[samsong]

I think you have only two options at this point--go to the ER or do it your self.

Warning--graphic details to follow so be warned:

I had to do this about two weeks ago and mentioned it briefly in a Senokot thread last week, but here is what I did:

After about 5 days of no movement, and excrutiating pain, I shot two of those small pastic vials of Fleet liquid glycerin up my hole (had been using every laxative under the sun for the previous two days and nothing helped). Waited about 10 minutes. Sat down on the can and pushed a lot until the poop was as far dwon as it was going to get. I put surgical gloves on each hand, though in retrospect it probably would have been easier to use the individual finger rubbers that they make.

Anyway, I would then stick my index or middlefinger up my hole as far as I could get it--I could feel boulders all over the place--I then would starting pulling/pushing down with my finger trying to move the poop southwards. I would then use my other hand and repeat the process--it helps to alternate between hands becuase of the angles. You will also feel nuggets and boulders not just going north and south, but aldo east and west. Forget about your dignity at this point, put just start pulling any and all shit you can feel. If you csnf get some of it low enough near your hole, grab as high up on an indiviudal piece as you can with your finger and then get your thumb invlovled and try to grab hr bottom of it pull it out. At the very least, try to break apart the bigger pieces so it isn't all connected. Move the pieces east and west as well ans towards the south, this will help loosen it all up.

It took me about two hours of this to get it all out, and boy was I sore. It also helps if you take a break every 10-15 minutes or so and get up and walk around for a few minutes --gravity helps. Smoking cigarettes throughout the process also helps, as does a whole lot of pushing and your insides will hurt like a mother when you push, but you have to grin and bear it.

Sorry for the details, but there is no way around what you need to do--either go to the ER and deal with the embarassment, or do it yourself and lose all dignity-no good choice here. In the future, and you may already knwo this, but don't wait 3 weeks before taking drastic measures. Even one week is a real long time without a movement. Good luck, brother, but now that I know I could actually go up there and manually end the problem when needed, I have a lot more peace of mind now, so it is totally worth it.

[Duckfeet]

It's funny, after all these years, and prison, and loss of lovers, all that...when I think of what *really* sucks about steady opiate use...it's the damned constipation...and to this day, the main reason I dislike methadone *and* subs, as they both often seriously constipate...and my gag reflexes are so finely tuned now, that I can't get down miralax, much less Milk of Magnesia, or God-help-us the pre-surgery green motherfucker: hate'em all...

It's a terrible deal...I have to use enemas daily, even down here at 50mg--I know, I know, what enemas do--and take a stool softener every night, and about every fourth day, gotta *some how* get some miralax or MoM down...bleh :-(

Good luck man, I've yet to read anything new, or that worked good, and I think I've heard'em all...oh yeah, one thing did work: abstinence... ;-)

[mikells43]

i mix my miralax in lipton tea and sometimes hawaian punch. u dont need to mix alot of liquid in the 17grams of powder. how can't u get it down df? it is really easy for em to get down. try a straw too. also i never stuck my fingers up my but for stools yet. all i can say is that ive helped it come out by pushing on the outside of the rectum like forcing the poop cutter up so the turd slides. and im reading this thread eating a chocolate covered pretzel rod.

[Duckfeet]

The whole gag thing with me just began this year: actually started with tar, trying to smoke it or something: that shit is foul...and then it spead: 1st to the green slime pre-surgery stuff, then to Milk of Magnesia...now, even miralax...

I know it's a bit psychological...no biggee...by summer I'll be off methadone, or die trying...and subs to me, as u know, have same problems...

[Suboxstitute]

First of all, I feel no one should be embarassed, whether it's do-it-yourself or having to go into the ER or doctor's office. I know easy to say, but really - don't be. It's a straight-up fact of life.

I was wondering how the OP was doing.
Just wanted to check in and see how you were and what you ended up havin' to do......sorry if I missed a post.

I feel SO SO very sorry for your pain, I truly understand (more than you know. More than ANY of you want to know if you get my drift.)

Remember - Opiates aren't the only thing, or drug, that causes constipation. That is why medical professionals are used to seeing it.

My mom had Parkinsons' disease, which is notorious for both constipation and then not having the muscle strength to push out what you DO have. So she (a very private lady and ashamed to the point where she let it get real bad... in her 70's, bless her - she's passed on) had to go in and be un-impacted. The nurses were wonderful. I talked to them and they actually DO see it all the time. (Actually, the nurses aides usually do it.)

I've been using the waxy "torpedo" things that you stick up there, which seem to do the trick plus eating the shredded wheat and all that. Plus I lowered my bupe from 8mg to 4mg for a couple days and it helped I was sort of surprised it did. I can't stay at 4 though I'm going to try. I've got terrible cravings but no access anyway and a husband whose watching me like a hawk, out of concern, not out of control.

No physical w/ds or cravings (it's been almost 4 mos), just BAD psychological. I got pushed into bupe before I was ready, that's another thread.

Sending shitty thoughts your way.

[Synack]

I've been eating about three bowls of frosted mini wheats a day. It seems I shit daily, and I wonder where the hell is it all coming from... this is the only thing I eat.

Try pushing several glyercin suppostories up there - let them melt and soak in. Then try to break it up with a lubbed up something or another.

(damn, my spelling is fucked up)

[Uncle Wiggly]

Hi, First of all you need to look at this as a medical condition. There are many people who have this sort of problem due to opiate use or other medical conditions. My suggestion is for you to get to the ER. Being as backed-up as you are can cause major problems with your colon. My wife is a nurse and has had to disimapct patients many times when she worked the ER and ICU. You don't want to try this yourself because you could end up with a tear in you rectum. In the hospital they cane get to the *problem* at angles you're not able to on your own. They also have you laying on foam pads that put pressure on your colon to help push things out.

You don't need to feel embarrassed about having health professionals help you. Most of them are compassionate and understand your trepidation about being there. They will do everything possible to make you feel at ease. I know it's been five days since you originally posted so I'm hoping you've had a BM by now. But if you're still having difficulties please get to the hospital. You don't need any more problems in your life. Stage four cancer is a full enough plate for any one.

Once this impaction is resolved you might want to try taking stool softeners before any constipation problems occur. My PM doc told me you can take up to eight a night without any problems. Plus stool softeners aren't addictive like laxatives. People who take laxatives on a regular basis get so they have to use them to have a BM.

I do pretty good with the stool softeners, lots of water and a high fiber diet. If you have problems getting enough fiber in your diet you can always supplement with that powdered stuff. Just stir a little bit into your drink or food. It's tasteless and helps out the old colon.

I hope this episode is over for you by now but, if not, don't hesitate to get medical assistance. My thoughts are with you.

[jab]

I've said this many times.. even here on opiophile.. Frosted Mini-Wheats for the WIN!!!!

They taste great, easy to get down, and keep you regular like clockwork.

To the OP: good luck and don't ever be ashamed of issues like this.. As was allready said, it's incredibly common!

I've been eating about three bowls of frosted mini wheats a day. It seems I shit daily, and I wonder where the hell is it all coming from... this is the only thing I eat.

Try pushing several glyercin suppostories up there - let them melt and soak in. Then try to break it up with a lubbed up something or another.

(damn, my spelling is fucked up)

[sunburny]

I know this sounds awfull, and it's not really meant for this situation (I just hope this poster is still alive), but has anyone ever tried an extremely dilute naltrexone or naloxone enema?

The receptors on the colon (that smooth the muscles) are local, maybe going to the source would move things along.

I read that they are experimenting with putting a crunchy naloxone center into some Opoid pain meds, to help with constipation (or fuck with junkies).

Maybe the ass end is too far away from where the trouble is, as I've done enemas that never even got close to the source.

[Thebane]

I know this sounds awfull, and it's not really meant for this situation (I just hope this poster is still alive), but has anyone ever tried an extremely dilute naltrexone or naloxone enema?

The receptors on the colon (that smooth the muscles) are local, maybe going to the source would move things along.

I read that they are experimenting with putting a crunchy naloxone center into some Opoid pain meds, to help with constipation (or fuck with junkies).

Maybe the ass end is too far away from where the trouble is, as I've done enemas that never even got close to the source.

Wouldn't this be plugging naltrexone or naloxone? As in, wouldn't it absorb into the bloodstream and make you wish you were dead if you had any sort of habit.?

Then again I suppose it might work if it was really dilute like you said (just saw that) but I wouldn't want to try it. In all seriousness, if I was backed up for 5 days I'd probably just go into mild w/d and until I had a BM. I mean, I'm not really that uncomfortable when the opiates clear out of my system enough for a BM. Then again my habit is much smaller than many people, but you would think minor w/ds would be worth not having a serious medical emergency or having a stranger at the ER unimpact it for you.

[Duckfeet]

Main thing with me is not get too far "behind" in my movements, if u know what I mean...as long as I have *some* kind of movement daily, I"m usually all right, but still know that I"m a day or two behind where I would like to be....

But it takes a lot of work, and eating habits and exercize, and just boring stuff...and I'm like any junky: there's days I just don't want to face up to it...Again, to me, these are the two most irritating things about both methadone, and subs, regardless of how well they work in other areas, this is a surfire way to know yer body is being seriously fucked with....

But I'm slightly caught up again, but have to use enemas, and need to ween myself off them..also take docusate nightly...

[Thebane]

Yeah, when I heard constipation was really the only chronic physical side-effect of opiate use, if one doesn't live an unhealthy lifestyle, I remember thinking well that's not bad at all. Yeah right... I don't know if a worse side-effect exists... I'd probably prefer a 50% chance of death over this shit.

PS: I found smoking a cigarette in the longest period you go without dosing, probably before your morning dose for most people, can very often make me have a BM within a few minutes. It's really amazing how quickly it works, of course if I'm high it won't help, and no doubt it just helps speed up the process a little and isn't a miracle drug, but like you pointed out DF, if it keeps me a day ahead of where I'd be without it I'm happy.

[Pandora]

PS: I found smoking a cigarette in the longest period you go without dosing, probably before your morning dose for most people, can very often make me have a BM within a few minutes. It's really amazing how quickly it works, of course if I'm high it won't help, and no doubt it just helps speed up the process a little and isn't a miracle drug, but like you pointed out DF, if it keeps me a day ahead of where I'd be without it I'm happy.

This really is true. I don't know what it is, but if I'm ever really backed up I smoke a cig or two as soon as I wake up before I dose, and it helps occaisionally.

Does anyone know why this is?

[jacky]

I had this problem a few years ago.

a big ball of hard crap spinning in my ass and causing water to spray out of my ass like one of the vegetable misters when I tried doing enemas to loosen it up.

when the enema's didnt work I knew I only had one choice......

a long, sharp, laquered chop stick.
picked at that thing for about 1/2 hour and got it broken up.

got the nickname "hashi (japanese for chopstick)" from that experience.

the ball of compacted shit was very HARD, and waxy, and not as smelly as a "normal" shit.

now, still a daily opiate user, I eat magnesium and calcium supplements at night, take a bit of kratom, and eat steel cut oats 4-7 days a week.
I shit totally normal now,
at the least once a day, the most, 2-3 times. 95% of the time its once a day though.
the calcium and magnesium seems to be the main thing that helps. when I quit taking that stuff, I notice.

its a "shitty" problem.

I hope that you dont have to go to the Hospital.
and I hope that your cancer becomes non existant, no matter how unlikely or niave that sounds.

its not really a laughing matter till you are way past the experience.
man.
I feel for you.

[crumping]

to keep from being constipated, i use aloe vera juice/capsules, magnesium. slippery elm... check it out.. hope you feel better man:cool:

[dillyfiend]

Hey everyone... I am in a lot of pain and am typing this on my phone as I don't even have the strength to get to the computer.

I still haven't gone... I have taken two mineral oil enemas and more miralax and nothing... my body is having contractions trying to push it out... and that hurts so bad and doesn't work.

I know that most of the ER's I have gone to do not have the equipment to do a colonic... but has ANYONE gotten a colonic from a hospital before?

I am in so much pain and am doing a shot of H practically every hour because it is the only thing that makes the pain go away for a little while.

I can't stop crying and I know I should go to the ER... but anyone who lives in Phoenix knows that our hospital ER wait times are generally ten to twelve hours (no joke)... and I just can't sit there for twelve hours only to have them shove their fingers up me.

I honestly think this might be the end for me... so I love you all so much and really appreciate your support. If I get through this, I will let you all know.

[Thebane]

Damn, really sorry to hear this. I wish I had some advice to help you, but I can't think of anything. I just hope something happens soon and you feel better. Good luck.... Remember we're thinking/praying for you.

[soulninja]

Seriously please get to the ER. Like everyone said medical professionals are used to this type of thing.Its obviously gone too far for you to take care of it so please go!

[Duckfeet]

Yep: u need to go to the ER, seriously, then when u get out, find a way to cut back on dope, get on low dose methadone, something...it is serious, and not to be trifled with...it won't get better on it's own, at this point...

[Uncle Wiggly]

I can't stop crying and I know I should go to the ER... but anyone who lives in Phoenix knows that our hospital ER wait times are generally ten to twelve hours (no joke)... and I just can't sit there for twelve hours only to have them shove their fingers up me.

I honestly think this might be the end for me... so I love you all so much and really appreciate your support. If I get through this, I will let you all know.

Hey, please don't take this the wrong way. I'm not trying to be harsh to you. But, you're sitting at home doing a shot of H every hour or so - you know that ain't helping. It's only making it worse. Sure it may be knocking back the pain a bit but it's not getting to the source of your pain. Plus if you keep that kind of dosing up you'll OD.

So if you're just sitting at home and can't even ambulate - call 911 NOW and have the EM Techs take you to the hospital. I'm pretty sure they'll triage you as a priority patient. Let them work on you and put this in the past. You really don't want to wait any longer or you'll end up with a full-blown bowel obstruction.

Every one here's been giving you the same basic advice. Don't let this pull you down. You can at least go to the hospital where they can get this blockage out of you and they have the ability to ease your pain and suffering.

Please call 911 right now.

PAX

[sunburny]

GO TO THE ER NOW!!!!

We're not going to let you die on this board, not this week!

How the fuck will you go to Baltimore and whoop it up? My friend says Baltimore raw is still the shit, so get to the ER and fix this! It's been a week I just assumed you'd taken care of it. PM me and I'll be your travel agent for your lost weekend, but you have to call the AMBULANCE in the next hour to qualify!!!!

DIAL 911! You are a stage four cancer patient, there is no SHAME!!!!!

GO! Go! GO! HURRY!

[irish]

You really need to get to the er. Who wants to die from a fecal impaction? At the very least people will laugh at you for it(posthumusly), and if there is an afterlife can you imagine explaining to st. peter how you died from not pooping? We actually care about what happens to you, not all of us junkies are crazed psychopaths after all.

[skc74]

EVERY hospital on the planet has the equipment to enema,and failing that they'll knock you out and do a manual evacuation,but you leave it too long you can rupture your bowel and then you'll really be fucked!! where i work they're in the middle of trialling methylnaltrexone,which reportedly deals with post-op constipation due to opioids or something,but like another poster said,it acts on the receptors in the bowel rather than the ones in the brain or something.

[Uncle Wiggly]

Hey MCD, Please post and let us all know that you're OK. I'm praying that you came to your senses and called the EMTs and you're now the proud father of a seven pound - 6 ounce butt baby. I've been worrying myself stupid about what's been happening with you.

If you're not able to post I'm going to remain positive and hope it's because you're in the hospital getting yourself fixed-up.

PAX

[dillyfiend]

Hi everyone! First of all, let me say thank you to everyone for their support. I don't have any family so it really means a lot that you guys care.

So, this morning, I couldn't hande the pain anymore and I was running really low on dope... so I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the pain once I was out. So, I called the ER and was told that the wait time was at least eight hours. So, I went to a clinic to have a colonic.

The colonic lady worked on me for over an hour and nothing was coming out... so she said she had done as much as she could and sent me to the bathroom. When I had a colonic before, the same thing happened, but the colonic softened everything up enough for me to push it out.

So, I hold on the railing and start pushing... the pain is tremendous and I can feel myself tearing... not crying... seriously wripping... then I black out.

I wake up twenty mins later on the bathroom floor of the colonic office to a paramedic who is trying to scrape the impaction out of me. I had apparently passed out from the pain. Ten minutes passes and after the EMT techs speak with a doctor they have me lying on the floor in a position like I am about to give birth, screaming at me to ''push! come on, push.'' I barely remember this...

So, after all of this, eventually I came to and they had gotten it out of me... I can't even desribe what it looked like... maybe if you were to put ten softballs together you might get the idea... the clinician weighed it... it was 27.3 pounds... I swear I am not lying.

So... I then get taken to the hospital where I am given immediate attention because I needed blood and stitches... I had torn myself so much and lost so much blood...

I feel SO much better now! With the exception that my ass hurts, of course.

So, I now have to find something that works as Miralax doesn't help me... also, this goes without saying... but no matter how scared or worried you are, never let yourself go a month without going to the bathroom...

Again, thank you all so very much for your support and for getting me through this. This was definitely one of the worst experiences of my whole life. I am so sorry for rambling, but I wanted you all to know what happened. Thanks again everyone. Much love all.

[GoddessofRATs]

I can't count how many times i had this same thing, but not to the degree of the OP's. But, i have had those hard and large rocks you are talking about. It was so hard to get it out i thought I'd have to go to the ER. And like you i had to use Latex gloves to get it all out myself. It was not fun and i was bleeding everywhere. I guess from the stretching inside there.

This mainly happens to me with prolonged Tramadol use. But not so much with Morphine or Oxy for some reason. Tramadol seems to contsepate me much more severe than any other drug.


I've had this happen a lot of times and it's scary and painful. I haven't had it happen in quit a while though.

This can be very dangerous, being backed up like that can cause many problems. If in the future you can't get it out on your own, you might need an ER trip or go to your regular doctor. I know it's embarrassing but this is something that has to be taken care of. I know i did everything in my power not to go to the ER, thankfully I've been lucky and haven't had to do that yet.

Sorry if this post has TMI.

GOR

[(inaudible screams)]

Man it has to feel to damn good to pass 27.3 lbs. I know you are in pain but I bet you feel so much better.

I know this is sickening but I would like to see a picture of something like that.

[Thebane]

Wow man... I'm glad to hear you made it through alright. I can't even imagine how bad that must have felt. I'll never complain about my 3-4 day constipation again though.

[Uncle Wiggly]

Yo MCD, I'm so happy you're past the worst of this. I was so worried about you last night that I thought I was going to go nuts. I know your asshole's got to feel, and look, like hamburger now but at least you've got this thing behind you. *No pun intended* No way do I want you to think I'm making light of this.

You could have ended-up being affected much worse than you already are. At least now you can make a clean start and try your best not to end up like you did. Every one's going to be offering you suggestions as to what works for them. The best thing you can do is sort through them and try to find what suits your circumstances.

I have to take some pretty powerful opiates for my medical conditions and I've found that if I haven't gone in two - three days I start taking eight stool softeners every night until I do. But never let it go more than a week. This is on the advice of my PM doc. He told me that stool softeners aren't addictive like laxatives. Your system won't get to where you need them just to have a BM.

I remember once I was backed up for 9 days and my doc gave me Nu Lytely *sp* to drink. It's the prep taken for a colonoscopy. It's a bunch of powder in, what looks to be, a one gallon jug. You reconstitute it and drink 8 ounces every half hour. It started working after the first three or four glasses. By the time I drank it all I wouldn't have been surprised if my socks and shoes came out my ass.

Please never let anything like that go for so long again. There are a lot of people here who genuinely care for you and are very concerned about what's happening in your life.

PAX

[irish]

When I get really backed-up I take a product called citro-mag. It is like a soda that you drink before surgery and some tests. It is kind of a gross lemon-lime flavor but it's only a pint and it literally empties you. You drink lots of water after taking it and by the time you are done it's completely clear water coming out of your ass! You don't want to take it all the time, but if you start to feel really constipated it's a god-send.

[Uncle Wiggly]

When I get really backed-up I take a product called citro-mag. It is like a soda that you drink before surgery and some tests. It is kind of a gross lemon-lime flavor but it's only a pint and it literally empties you. You drink lots of water after taking it and by the time you are done it's completely clear water coming out of your ass! You don't want to take it all the time, but if you start to feel really constipated it's a god-send.

Yeah that's another good one. You don't have to have a script for that one either The Nu Lytely I referred to is by prescription only. I can't figure out why though. It's not exactly something you'd use to party with. It'd be a pretty shitty party. :D

[Duckfeet]

I'm glad you took care of it...and you're in good company, even William Burroughs wrote about going months...and some "apple corer" they used to pull it all out...might be a good time to get harshly realistic--not our strong suit, I know--and not get in this situation again...I myself cut down on methadone to 50mg, and after a bit, started having bowel movements again...I wake up around 4 a.m. kind of sick and in pain, but I feel the dose better too, than when I am saturated....

I know yer dilemma but u have to take care of yourself, best u can: also I take docusate every day, to soften bowels, try to eat veggies and fruit...but in any case, this is another of the dark side of opy life, and it's good u talked about it...

And of course, best wishes to you...

df


Hi everyone! First of all, let me say thank you to everyone for their support. I don't have any family so it really means a lot that you guys care.
So, this morning, I couldn't hande the pain anymore and I was running really low on dope... so I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the pain once I was out. So, I called the ER and was told that the wait time was at least eight hours. So, I went to a clinic to have a colonic.
The colonic lady worked on me for over an hour and nothing was coming out... so she said she had done as much as she could and sent me to the bathroom. When I had a colonic before, the same thing happened, but the colonic softened everything up enough for me to push it out.
So, I hold on the railing and start pushing... the pain is tremendous and I can feel myself tearing... not crying... seriously wripping... then I black out.
I wake up twenty mins later on the bathroom floor of the colonic office to a paramedic who is trying to scrape the impaction out of me. I had apparently passed out from the pain. Ten minutes passes and after the EMT techs speak with a doctor they have me lying on the floor in a position like I am about to give birth, screaming at me to ''push! come on, push.'' I barely remember this...
So, after all of this, eventually I came to and they had gotten it out of me... I can't even desribe what it looked like... maybe if you were to put ten softballs together you might get the idea... the clinician weighed it... it was 27.3 pounds... I swear I am not lying.
So... I then get taken to the hospital where I am given immediate attention because I needed blood and stitches... I had torn myself so much and lost so much blood...
I feel SO much better now! With the exception that my ass hurts, of course.
So, I now have to find something that works as Miralax doesn't help me... also, this goes without saying... but no matter how scared or worried you are, never let yourself go a month without going to the bathroom...
Again, thank you all so very much for your support and for getting me through this. This was definitely one of the worst experiences of my whole life. I am so sorry for rambling, but I wanted you all to know what happened. Thanks again everyone. Much love all.

[irish]

This story freaked me out so much that I went out and bought stool softener and glycerine suppositories. I never want to go through something as horrifying as a 27lb shit, oh my god.:o

[Nate]

Thank god your ok bro!! I can't imagine what kind of experience it was....just glad ur fine!

Take precautions now so that this doesn't happen. Even if this means going into a little w/d so that u shit, obviously you know the trouble ur saving urself.

[Synack]

So was it a boy or a girl?

[Nate]

So was it a boy or a girl?

ROFL!

27lb baby eh?, no woman could say they have experienced that pain. At least the vagina is stretchy...the anus on the other hand :confused:

[dillyfiend]

Yeah, my roommate (who just found out she is pregnant for the first time) were having this discussion last night as I was telling her the details of what happened. When women give birth, the vagina is designed to stretch and the baby is covered in al sorts of amniotic fluid and goo to help the baby through the birth canal... what I went through was so different... the mass of material was so hard and dry and big and the anus is not designed for that... hence the massive tearing and blood.

Trust me... I have already drank two full glasses of koolaid today with miralax in it... I never want to go through this again! I also need to make sure that nothing too hard forms so that it won't mess with the stitches... damn, what a horrible experience!

[lubin]

best thing i know of, and i use every night before going to bed as a constipation preventative is an oxygenated magnesium product called oxypowder made by http://globalhealingcenter.com/ . these are miracle workers for chronic constipation, esp related to opiate use. it is also a colon cleansing product. there are a few other similar products out there: colosan, oxyflush...but i find oxypowder to be the best all around. as it has 2 to 3 times the active ingredient as the others. costs a little more, but in the long run you use less and save money. if the impaction is real bad you may need to consult your dr first, then get a colonic or two and/or do some enemas to 'break things loose', then try the product. i highly recommend anyone suffering from chronic constipation from opiates give one of these products a try. they cause no cramping or dependence like other colon cleansers with senna or cascara sagrada in them, they are easy on the stomach and are used and recommended by colon hygienists...next time you get a colonic ask your the hygienist about these products, or just give them a call.

check around about them online. it is worth a try (worth their weight in gold or meds :) )and be just what you need to avoid future impaction. and like others mentioned, a good fiber cereal or supplement daily, plenty of water (half your body weight in ounces per day is what your body needs) are also a good preventative as well as being healthy. i would be in a panic if i went 3 days w/o a bm let alone 3 weeks. glad to hear you are ok and resolved the issue. take care and sorry to hear about the cancer and other health woes. if you have any questions feel free to pm or post here.

[Duckfeet]

Also, take 250mg docusate every night--according to my doc: it keeps stool "soft", so that even if it gets back up, it's not horrible, and drink plenty of water, since docusate sucks water into colon, try to eat raw veggies, and when it's me, after day 3 without a BM, that's when I'll start taking the "green pre-surgical slime" or Milk of Magnesia...

Last time I dropped down on mdone, tho, things actually have been "moving along" tho....

Best wishes, tho, since this, to me, is one of the toughest things we face....

Yeah, my roommate (who just found out she is pregnant for the first time) were having this discussion last night as I was telling her the details of what happened. When women give birth, the vagina is designed to stretch and the baby is covered in al sorts of amniotic fluid and goo to help the baby through the birth canal... what I went through was so different... the mass of material was so hard and dry and big and the anus is not designed for that... hence the massive tearing and blood.
Trust me... I have already drank two full glasses of koolaid today with miralax in it... I never want to go through this again! I also need to make sure that nothing too hard forms so that it won't mess with the stitches... damn, what a horrible experience!

[Nostromos]

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack frost nipping at your nose
Tiny tots with their fecal impactions
Will find it hard to defecate tonight.

You know they've been too dehydrated for many days
The poop's been packed into their colons, where it has stayed
And now those vertical smiles are at risk for piles
If they don't get to a doctor real damn soon.

And so, I'm offering this simple praise
For kids from one to fuck a shoe
Anytime, anywhere, pubic hair
Merry Christmas

Duh you.

[Pandora]

I remember once I was backed up for 9 days and my doc gave me Nu Lytely *sp* to drink. It's the prep taken for a colonoscopy. It's a bunch of powder in, what looks to be, a one gallon jug. You reconstitute it and drink 8 ounces every half hour. It started working after the first three or four glasses. By the time I drank it all I wouldn't have been surprised if my socks and shoes came out my ass.



I had a colonoscopy once and I was given something along these lines. It was honestly the most disgusting thing I've ever had to drink, it was lemon-ginger flavored or something and was so ungodly disgusting I gagged every sip, but it REALLY clears you out. You should ask your doctor about this. I don't remember what it was called, but it completely clears you out for the procedure and works very well. Getting it down is a bitch, but I'm sure it's a lot better than a 27+ pound shit. That's insane.

I'm very glad you finally got that taken care of.

Please take care of yourself, McD.

[jacky]

Damn MDC...that is friggin incredibly horribly sharing of you to give the weight of your "problem"

glad you are feeling better for the holidays.

I am a daily opiate user, up until I started taking calcium/magnesium every night I had a somewhat stubborn regimine on the toilet.
alot of pushing,
and not going to the bathroom everyday.

before taking opiates, I had a somewhat problematic bowel movement experience...mostly going too much, and of course alcohol doesnt help.

the opiates seem to actually make my bowels feel better most of the time, but if I dont take the calcium and magnesium I notice I become lightly constipated.

I notice others saying things about magnesium helping with opiate induced constipation...I found about this on my own, and it makes life alot nicer to be a bit regular.

happy holidays...

[GoddessofRATs]

Raisen Bran is what works for me. I have a bowl everynight and it works like a charm. Every since I started doing this I have yet to be constipated. My stuff is still hard but it comes out. Now of course, this may not work for everyone but it works for me without fail. I pile on tons of sugar, it taste yummy and it's good for ya.

GOR

[EleusisII]

HOLY FUCKING CRAP!!!!


Anyway, I would then stick my index or middlefinger up my hole as far as I could get it--I could feel boulders all over the place--I then would starting pulling/pushing down with my finger trying to move the poop southwards. I would then use my other hand and repeat the process--it helps to alternate between hands becuase of the angles. You will also feel nuggets and boulders not just going north and south, but aldo east and west.

Nuggets going north, south, east and west?!? That's one cavernous ass you got man!

[JunkYardSaint]

I have never had it as bad as you describe, but I have had it very bad. Probably a couple of weeks maybe even going on three. I remember it was just horrible. I finally went and got that stuff in a bottle I'm not sure what it's called, that may be the 'miralax' u refer to, but i drank about three bottles as well as every laxative in the book, i drank olive oil and everything i could think of until i finally got some relief. yes it was like giving birth. i'm glad to read you survived it, though i'm really suprised it got so bad you were rushed by paramedics like you describe. what a story.

[mikells43]

stick with the miralax, miralax is lose nulytely, aka Polyethylene glycol in a lower dose , but if u do take a shitload of it , its gonna flush u out. thats amazing 27lbs of stool, thats the weight of roughly 3 babies, a healthy birthweight of a baby is 9.3lbs. take care, and take mira-lax daily , just 17grams daily will keep u normal, i have to take it at least 2 times a week, anymore keeps me splattering the back of the comode with liquid lol.

[oxydose]

It's funny, after all these years, and prison, and loss of lovers, all that...when I think of what *really* sucks about steady opiate use...it's the damned constipation...and to this day, the main reason I dislike methadone *and* subs, as they both often seriously constipate...and my gag reflexes are so finely tuned now, that I can't get down miralax, much less Milk of Magnesia, or God-help-us the pre-surgery green motherfucker: hate'em all...

It's a terrible deal...I have to use enemas daily, even down here at 50mg--I know, I know, what enemas do--and take a stool softener every night, and about every fourth day, gotta *some how* get some miralax or MoM down...bleh :-(

Good luck man, I've yet to read anything new, or that worked good, and I think I've heard'em all...oh yeah, one thing did work: abstinence... ;-)

Yea I'm with Duckfeet on this, I notice with Methadone especally that constipation is much worser than other opiates, and with me at least a real serious problem when I'm on a Done run. I try to drink a Miralax drink every day when STARTING to use Done, even a 1-2 day use can block you up for to long, better to start early than find yourself with a rock up your ass, cause ya know then its always a few days, or at least for me it is, and I get scared to goto the bathroom.

I noticed this awhile back to, I had a bad upset stomach and downed a whole bottle of pink Bismuth (Pepto) over a few hours, for the next 2-3 days while on Done and Dils I had almost liquid shit, now the opiates kept me from running off at the bowels cept for the mornings when I'd be running to the toilet. Maybe not the best and brightest thing to do but it has worked for me, maybe after getting your rocks out of the way you could try this with a few stoolies to clean you out...

[oxydose]

The whole gag thing with me just began this year: actually started with tar, trying to smoke it or something: that shit is foul...and then it spead: 1st to the green slime pre-surgery stuff, then to Milk of Magnesia...now, even miralax...

I know it's a bit psychological...no biggee...by summer I'll be off methadone, or die trying...and subs to me, as u know, have same problems...

You know I had OxyContin do that to me badly after snorting them fine for 2.5 years, it was bad too, to the point where THINKING of it (the taste I suppose) would gag me. Very very weird stuff, I also thought of it to be pyschological with me as well..

[oxydose]

Hi everyone! First of all, let me say thank you to everyone for their support. I don't have any family so it really means a lot that you guys care.

So, this morning, I couldn't hande the pain anymore and I was running really low on dope... so I knew I wouldn't be able to handle the pain once I was out. So, I called the ER and was told that the wait time was at least eight hours. So, I went to a clinic to have a colonic.

The colonic lady worked on me for over an hour and nothing was coming out... so she said she had done as much as she could and sent me to the bathroom. When I had a colonic before, the same thing happened, but the colonic softened everything up enough for me to push it out.

So, I hold on the railing and start pushing... the pain is tremendous and I can feel myself tearing... not crying... seriously wripping... then I black out.

I wake up twenty mins later on the bathroom floor of the colonic office to a paramedic who is trying to scrape the impaction out of me. I had apparently passed out from the pain. Ten minutes passes and after the EMT techs speak with a doctor they have me lying on the floor in a position like I am about to give birth, screaming at me to ''push! come on, push.'' I barely remember this...

So, after all of this, eventually I came to and they had gotten it out of me... I can't even desribe what it looked like... maybe if you were to put ten softballs together you might get the idea... the clinician weighed it... it was 27.3 pounds... I swear I am not lying.

So... I then get taken to the hospital where I am given immediate attention because I needed blood and stitches... I had torn myself so much and lost so much blood...

I feel SO much better now! With the exception that my ass hurts, of course.

So, I now have to find something that works as Miralax doesn't help me... also, this goes without saying... but no matter how scared or worried you are, never let yourself go a month without going to the bathroom...

Again, thank you all so very much for your support and for getting me through this. This was definitely one of the worst experiences of my whole life. I am so sorry for rambling, but I wanted you all to know what happened. Thanks again everyone. Much love all.


Jesus Christ bro, you should of went to the ER anyways and if your wait was over 30 minutes to a hour (I'd image a lot less) then I'd of gotten a ride to another. Granted I live in a much smaller town than Baltimore (I think I seen it said you were from there right?), still thats why all ERs have a triage to access the urgent care needy from the ones who can stand to wait. Myself also would have been honest with them (Hell I'd even have told them I was banging the dope to hold off the pain), for two reasons, so they can see how painful this has become for you, and also so they wouldn't kill me with over using anesthesia. Not to mention you being a cancer patient, I don't see them holding you in waiting THAT long, if so then sheesh I do feel bad for the folks in your town.

Since you been through this now just remember if it ever comes even close to this again then if you have to goto the ER, no matter how embarrassing anything is its a medical problem and no one would hold you on having to have it treated, hell this crap (ha crap) is very common. Also you mentioned it was to painful to go and wait, I understand this completely and I just can't see someone in your condition having to wait that long, at least they could rush you through and get you a bed to lay down on.

Glad you got it all out of you even though it was a ruff expirence, I know myself how things can become bad in what seems like to me at least to be a very quick timespan in most situations. Like after 2-3 days you think of it, then 2-3 more go by and you really start getting worried, and another day or so until I couldn't stand it and more and had to get a towel and bite down into it and bare with it, I truly hate all that stuff and like Duckfeet said find it to be one of the major downfalls to opiate use/abuse.

Hope everything is regular for you now bro, peace...

-ocd

[Dan Steely]

Wow!
I go away for a few months,check in, poke around a little bit and what do ya know? The mother of all poo stories! This site certainly does not disappoint.

My favorite part is the clinician weighing the load.

Awesome story.

On a helpful note I'll suggest at least a couple bowls of Fiber One every day and withdrawl and coffee in the morning til ya get yer business done.Ya gotta hold off on the dope if at all possible,even a little would make me miss my chance. I learned my sink clenching lesson.

[Oxydation]

Damn MDC...that is friggin incredibly horribly sharing of you to give the weight of your "problem"

glad you are feeling better for the holidays.

I am a daily opiate user, up until I started taking calcium/magnesium every night I had a somewhat stubborn regimine on the toilet.
alot of pushing,
and not going to the bathroom everyday.

before taking opiates, I had a somewhat problematic bowel movement experience...mostly going too much, and of course alcohol doesnt help.

the opiates seem to actually make my bowels feel better most of the time, but if I dont take the calcium and magnesium I notice I become lightly constipated.

I notice others saying things about magnesium helping with opiate induced constipation...I found about this on my own, and it makes life alot nicer to be a bit regular.

happy holidays...

I hear ya on that one...I think alcohol actually fucked me up more than Opies. I've been somewhat lucky enough to need only a mild Stool-Softener from time to time.

Btw, Eleusis, thank you...with your permission, you have given me one of the most entertaining signatures I have yet to see (with full credit to you of course!)

[Cherry's Jubilee]

HOLY FUCKING CRAP!!!!


Nuggets going north, south, east and west?!? That's one cavernous ass you got man!

Oh my god, I've been trying to find this post for 20 minutes. I'm almost laughing so hard I can't type but I read this earlier and I have spontaneously thought about it and cracked up multiple times all day. Ok, just had to see it one more time.

[Raz]

Glad your over this shit...May your next passin be smooth.....

[RobOC]

Man it has to feel to damn good to pass 27.3 lbs. I know you are in pain but I bet you feel so much better.

I know this is sickening but I would like to see a picture of something like that.

For reals, man! You would think that they have to keep that thing frozen somewhere. They wouldn't just throw away a 27 pound turd would they. Damn, oxy I would seriously try for some kind of fucked up record, er somethin'. Jokes aside I'm glad that you're doing better and that everything came out OK. I have had some unpleasant experiences involving constipation, had to go home from work cuz of the pain, but that is about the extent of it.

One thing that really scares me is not being able to pee for extended periods of time. I had a professor tell me once that not pissing for long enough can cause your pyloric sphincter, the muscle that holds pee in and lets it come out, can seize up and then you have to be catheterized in order to drain your bladder. Doesn't sound as bad as Oxy's situation but still, doesn't sound like fun either. In order to try and avoid this, when I can pee no other way, not sitting, standing, outside, in the sink, all the while with water running (i know you guys have tried all this shit too). I usually take a hot shower and most of the time it puts my mind and bladder at ease. Cuz apparently seizing up your pyloric sphincter can be kind of a big deal.

[duper]

For reals, man! You would think that they have to keep that thing frozen somewhere. They wouldn't just throw away a 27 pound turd would they. Damn, oxy I would seriously try for some kind of fucked up record, er somethin'.

http://www.europeanfecalstandardsandmeasurements.org/

[RobOC]

Ya duper, I saw that episode as well. Funny as hell. If that were a real record keeping institution you know us opiate addicts would most likely have first, second, and third place!