Hard Stool With A Hard Stool. What Could It Be?

It's unlikely to be impacted stool though it's possible that it's hard stool retained in the rectum. This is common when fasting. You could wait it out and try to take in more fiber or you could use over the counter dulcolax suppositories. It's usually better to wait it out unless there is severe discomfort. Does your lower abdomen feel bloated or is there pain there?

If there is discomfort then it's a good idea to try a laxative. either a suppository by itself or a suppository along with oral laxatives such as milk of magnesia is what we recommend our patients when their bowels aren't fully emptied.

Have you passed any stool in the past week?

usually the suppositories will help making the stool softer and so it'll be easier to pass stool.

With impaction the pain would be severe and you likely would start feeling nauseated and some will even throw up.

It's always best to see you physician whenever anything new is going on with your body. They will examine you and offer you reassurance. However they likely will recommend laxatives as well. There shouldn't be an issue with fasting as long as it's something your body can handle but you will need to do something with your constipation or it'll get worse.

I thin you would be safe to wait, yes. I would follow up with your primary care doctor outpatient for this. No emergency needed based on what's described here.

Laxatives likely will work but if they don't then your doctor can give you prescription strength ones. It really doesn't seem like something else more serious is going on which your doctor can affirm.

In my practice I usually have patients try a laxative first before they see me. The only reasons that I would have them come in right away is if there is severe pain or they're not able to defecate or they have any nausea. If those are present then I usually have them try to eat more fiber and maybe use a rectal suppository and try to see if that makes a difference. If they're still not able to pass any stool then I have them come in and do an exam and maybe adjust their diet as needed.