HELP- Toileting problems, Need help asap ** Warning Thread is detailed**

[mummy2lilly]

Hi All,

I had bub 2 weeks ago on Tuesday. And 2-3 days now i have been having problems going to the toilet to do number 2's. When i do try to do a #2 Im just about screaming in pain my anal hole burns, strings and feels like its tearing when im just pushing ( nothing comes out ). It feels as tho the #2 is HUGE and just doesnt want to come out. Even when not on the toilet and im sitting im in pain i get the string etc every 10 mins lasting for 10 seconds as if the bottom is trying to push the poop out on its own. It hurts like nothing else.

Does anyone know what i can do to soften the #2 that feels HUGE so i can go to the toilet.
and dont have the string, burning and tearing pain?

Also is there some sort of gel i can buy to numb around my anal hole?

I have researched this and it is pretty common for women to be constipated a few weeks after child birth. but doesnt give me any help on what to do..

I was going to the toilet alright up until a couple of days ago..

please help im in so much pain

[arabesque]

Sorry to hear it's so painful for you! Anything with fibre in it will help...try Metamucil or another dissolveable powder...you can also get some in chemists called Fibogel (I think). Prunes will help, as will prune juice. You could even get glycerine suppositories from the chemist which you pop up your butt (so to speak) and they soften your stool and make it pass more easily. After 2 weeks you are probably pretty blocked up so get something straight away to help you out...you don't want to have to have it dealt with in hospital.

HTH!

[Bell & Bug]

I'm tempted to say to go to see a doctor regarding this, I don't think its normal to be in that much pain. Is it possible you may have a haemorroid or fissure from the birth?
With regards to softening your number 2s, LOTS of water, and maybe some fruits like prunes etc. There is also stuff you can get from the shops but the names have escaped me.

[peanutbutter&jelly]

If its causing you that much pain, I'd be off to the dr :(

[sandy_1902]

i would say hemorriods, i had the exact same i would try and cry while doing it it would blled etc... have a feel down there and see if you can feel any bulges.. if not they may be internal so either way i would head ooff to the GP to see if it is.. they dont go away on their own.

[pansy]

I have had the same problem as you in the past..It sounds as though you are constipated !!! It hurts like hell...Go straight to the chemist and they will give you a suppositry (sp?) you insert it into your rectum and it softens the offending stool !!! It's such a relief when it passes !!!
Also get a hold of some metamucil and take it regulary to keep you regular..

[veve]

seriously hon . . go to your GP .. (such a fun thing to go to the gp about :hugs: )

get him/ her to recommend a few things to you ...

a) you CAN get a gel that has anesthetic in it .. which will be a blessing to have .. when you do finally pass ... apply it just before you go to the toilet ... well worth it

b) you an get something called a stool softener (tablets) .. they are over the counter .. but check with your GP as to what you should take .. they do take awhile to kick in .. but they do work - you can use them for weeks .. and then wean yourself of them

good luck!

NOTE - EXTRA fibre at this stage .. can actually make everything worse .. fibre keeps things moving .. but if you have stopped while having a baby .. and been dehydrated (down there .. ) and things are stuck .. bulking up on fibre just complicates everything ..

[delirium]

I would go with a suppository as someone else said. It will soften the poo. I'm wondering if you have a fissure or hemorrhoids from the pg as even being extremely constipated you shouldn't be having that much pain.

[mimsie]

I third the suppository :) I was told about this some years ago and it was a godsend. If you're seriously dried up, and then you take a regular oral laxative you can end up with a 'plug' of drier, harder matter that is stopping the newer matter that has been softened by the laxative coming out - which can mean even more pain and problems. So the suppositories work from the bottom up, literally, lol. If you're not sure about talking to a pharmacist, send your DF :) I sent my DH lol.

I would also recommend a trip to the doctor if it continues because you could have the issues others have mentioned, and the straining recently may have led to them too.

The anaesthetic gel you can get is emla cream and it's very exy - about $75 for a single use tube. However you can find some creams for that area that contain lignocaine or similar anaesthetics in them so maybe ask about that.

PS don't forget the lube when it comes to suppositories ;) I really feel your pain, I hated that experience - mine was medically induced though (thanks narcotic pain relief!)

[NonnyMouse]

Normally I'd suggest a suppository as well but if it's a fissure then the suppository is just going to irritate it worse, and laxatives of any sort can also stop it healing because your rectum won't get a chance to rest and heal if you end up with the trots.

I'd go straight to your doc before trying anything over the counter, and they can have a quick 5 second check (usually done with you lying on your side, knees together, facing away from the doc) to see exactly what you're dealing with, and can then give you an appropriate treatment. Although they all have similar symptoms, the treatment options for fissures, haemorrhoids and constipation are quite different.

If you need to numb it in the meantime, ask for "Xylocaine 2% Jelly" (definitely don't let them sell you the cream, as it's not for rectal use) and use that before and after toileting as needed. It's a littl ehard to find at times, but is fairly cheap and numbs better than something like Anusol. According to my surgeon it's safe when breastfeeding.

I also recommend sitz baths as great pain relief.... after toileting, hop in a shallow bath (just enough to cover the important bits) with fairly hot water (the hotter the better, but don't overdo it to the point of discomfort). The heat and the water actually helps to stop the spasms that cause the pain.

[becca29]

Oh mate, I feel for you cos' I too have been where you are right now and it's absolutely the last thing you want to deal with! I would put off going to the toilet too because the pain was ridiculous. I tried Coloxyl first (a stool softener) - which is taken orally - and like aylaah said - it softens anything after the offending stool - but before you get that far you still have to 'suffer' before there is any relief. I tried Movicol and other laxatives too, but because there was no way to control stool flow it was just as painful to release.

It sounds like you may have a slight tear from your labor around that area too, or just on the inside (hence the stinging) and as others have suggested hemorrhoids :( Anusol is available over the counter and is cost-effective and it is one method of treating hemorrhoids...however...go see your GP as people have suggested...because hemorrhoids are no laughing matter and if not treated early on and properly will put you in a worse place, which will result in more pain. I know it's an embarrassing issue and one I put off for weeks in the hope that it would get better - but it really is worth it. Just a side note...even with medicated treatments it took a while for everything to heal...and yes, I had to grit my teeth quite a bit those first few months after childbirth. I'm sure many other new mothers have been in the very same position - so your question is a good one and no doubt you will get some really good advice.

Once you've cleared up the issue (or cleared out the issue-pun intended ;) ) try just adding things like prunes (as some people have suggested) and pears to your diet (great time as they are in season right now) and foods that will help to keep you regular. Laxatives can help in some cases, but not always. If you're not drinking enough water you can end up very dehydrated and worse off than you were to start with. Just some things to tide you over until you get to that GP.

I really hope things clear up (and out) for you soon. [HUGS]

[mummy2lilly]

Hi all thanks for your replies. Im off to the dr's today to see what he says and to see if i can get some pain killing gel. I dont feel the need to go to the toilet as much now but just have a lot of wind. Df did however remind me that i did have a tear near my hole from labour and i did look in the mirror and that seems to be what is making it sore when i try and push so hopefully i can get some cream for it.

thanks ladies