HealingWell
Search Close Search

Constipation

Chronic Illness Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
>
Constipation  
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/18/2007 2:58 PM (GMT -7)
Well I knew this was going to happen after my ordeal on Tuesday because of the narcotic pain relievers.  But I've become constipated and my Uc is acting up - no surprise there!  At what point do you decide to help the ole colon along? Would you say two days, three, four?  Last time I had constipation (about 2 months ago) was when I had a D&C, laproscopy and hystoscope with general which caused constipation for 4 days in which I had to call the GI and he told me to take Miralax.  I am so NOT used to constipation lol Usually it's the other way around!  Exactly how safe is laxatives with UC anyway??

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/18/2007 3:19 PM (GMT -7)
When I flare I get super constipated from the inflammation. After 2-3 days I usually start eating prunes & up the fiber. If I haven't gone by Day 4 I use a laxative.
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

https://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/19/2007 12:16 AM (GMT -7)
i have definitely experienced constipation (usually from my Dr. trying to figure out the best meds). If you do take a stool softener, I have noticed that Ducolax (sp?) is not to hard on the stomach. I take the pills instead of the suppositories (my poor behind has been through enough). A word to the wise, however, drink lots of water before and after taking the pill. not only will it work better, but you'll need to rehydrate. hope all goes well. (if you are looking for a more natural remedy, and you can tolerate it. a nice bowl of fiber one...with soymilk for me...often does the trick).
katie
23
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
gastritis

VSL #3
Amitriptyline to slow gastric emptying
Forvia
compazine

Posted 10/19/2007 4:25 AM (GMT -7)
Thanks Tab and Katie :) I am getting very uncomfortable and I can feel the stool rubbing against any open sores have in there (yes, I'm bleeding too). So last night I took some Miralax and I still haven't had a bm. I have been drinking a lot of water, I've been using my suppositories (which is helping a little with the bleeding) and I had coffee this morning and I still don't feel the urge. Hopefully all the above will start kicking in soon. I have been having a lot of gurgling and bubbling in there so I know it's coming - just not soon enough! :)

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/19/2007 5:09 AM (GMT -7)
I had the constipation with the Imodium the GI told me to take. I ended up taking milk of magnesia. I could not believe I could get so much pressure building up under my rib cage.

I hope you feel better soon.

Diagonsed with UC in about 99 - 

Started new GI 9-25-07

Lialda 2.4 in AM(started 9-26-07) canasa 1000mg  2xs per day(started 9-26-07)
Probiotics, calcium with Vitamin D, slow release Iron, Psyllium Husk Fiber. 

Posted 10/19/2007 8:19 AM (GMT -7)
My GI recommended Milk of Magnesia after my hospital stay. I hadn't gone for about three days and I called him to ask what he recommended I do. He said to take MOM because it is the easiest stool softner on the body. He said sometimes the digestive system just needs a "little kick" to get going again.

Just wondering, how does Miralax work? I'd imagine that it's not a full force laxative since that can be really hard on the body.
Age 22

Diagnosed in '04

Azathioprine- 100mg/day *started 11/2/06  

Sulfasalazine- 2 pills 4x daily

probiotics, fish oil, fiber

Posted 10/19/2007 9:39 AM (GMT -7)
Miralax is a gentle stool softener/laxative. It doesn't cause cramping like the more hard core laxatives. It worked, I was able to go a little but hopefully now that I was able to go, my colon will right itself again.

I remember when I was little (well not little, maybe preteen), I had constipation so the doc had me take MOM and I think I was coming down with a stomach bug too because after I had that, I ended up throwing it all back up. Since then, just the thought of taking MOM turns my stomach! lol

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/19/2007 9:49 AM (GMT -7)
For severe constipation the use of phospho-soda works, that's what it's for, of course you don't drink the whole bottle like when needed for prepping, just a couple of tsps full...but you know me, I'd sooner find a "natural way" like prune juice, ect...but like I said if a quick fix is needed then a "quick" acting OTC like phospho is there for it...or even using fleet enema.

:)
My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it!  LOL  :)

Posted 10/19/2007 10:33 AM (GMT -7)
You know what always works for me?  Kashi cereal!  It gets me going every time.

Current Medications:

- Asacol (4 pills, 2x per day)

- Rowasa (1 enema daily, as needed)

- Folic Acid (1 mg, 1x per day)

- Calcium (600 mg, 2x per day)

- Prenatal Vitamin (1x per day)

Posted 10/19/2007 10:40 AM (GMT -7)
Kashi is that all natural fiberous cereal/foods? Does it taste like cardboard? :) I seen it in the grocery store today and I thought about it but I didn't want to waste my money on something that tastes like a cardboard box.

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/19/2007 10:48 AM (GMT -7)
I just remembered something...when I first got preggers w/ my son I had a bad bout of constipation. The nurse wanted me to eat a couple of bowls of FiberOne a day. It wasn't that bad (read it was edible).
Tabitha (Tab)

100mg Azathioprine, 2 Fibercon, Colazal-6 a day, Acidopholis Pearls, Prilosec OTC

https://www.healingwell.com/donate
Co-Moderator UC Forum

Posted 10/19/2007 12:03 PM (GMT -7)
I can't stand Kashi cereal. Yuck.

But I really do like the Kashi cheddar crackers! They're super yummy!
Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Forvia and a Probiotic

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

Co-Mod for the UC forum

Keep HealingWell running smoothly:  www.healingwell.com/donate

Posted 10/19/2007 12:38 PM (GMT -7)
Just a word of warning; my boyfriend just had surgery and had the same problem. The pharmacist said not to bulk up on fiber but to use a stool softener. She said that most people think that bulking up on the fiber is the best way to make you go, but it causes bad gas and makes the stools harder. I too had thought that fiber would do the trick! Also, she said to eat grapes as they have water and a little fiber.

Carol

Remicade - will have my 19th infusion on November 1.

Imuran - 100 mgs....taken before bedtime

Vitamin B-12/Biotin, Probiotics


"Life is short -- make fun of it"

Co-Moderator for the UC Forum

Posted 10/19/2007 12:47 PM (GMT -7)
You know Carol, that's exactly what happened to me last time when I had the D&C - I tried fiber first and it made me more miserable and super bloated with no results. That is why I didn't even bother with fiber this time around and just went straight to the laxative.

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/19/2007 12:53 PM (GMT -7)
Lots of goat milk yogurt and berries. It doesn't seem to bulk you up--just flushes very effectively! And drink lots of warm water and tea.
29 yr old female

Ulcerative Colitis-left sided

Diagnosed Summer 2006

Fish oil, probiotics, aloe vera juice

No coffee, no alcohol, no popcorn, no artificial sweetners, trying to cut out sugar

Never taken UC meds (stubborn)

Posted 10/19/2007 12:59 PM (GMT -7)
Yeah, I tried to make him go every natural way I could think of, but those darned meds are tough on the gut! I even get the hard stools, and I wondered if I took a stool softener if it would help, but I'm so afraid the "D" will come back! Hey, meant to ask how you are feeling now Sherry?

Carol

Remicade - will have my 19th infusion on November 1.

Imuran - 100 mgs....taken before bedtime

Vitamin B-12/Biotin, Probiotics


"Life is short -- make fun of it"

Co-Moderator for the UC Forum

Posted 10/19/2007 1:26 PM (GMT -7)
I personally love the Kashi products that I've tried...their cereals and oatmeal are both really yummy. The cereal I like is called something like Go Lean Crunch...has lots of fiber and protein. It's really crunchy and tastes kind of sweet, similar to granola. But if fiber didn't work for you last time, you may want to stay away from it. Oftentimes fiber seems to make me more constipated...this was before I had UC and I often got constipated. Hope something works soon!
23 years old
Diagnosed with UC March 2007
Current inflamation in the rectum
Asacol 4 tablets 3x/day

Rowasa (generic) - nightly

Nature's Way Primadophilus Reuteri 1/day; Chewable multivitamin; experimenting w/fiber supplements (Metamucil and Fiber Choice); Viactiv (Calcium and Vit. D) for Osteopenia; ground flaxseed

Posted 10/19/2007 7:28 PM (GMT -7)
I rarely have C but I call constipation followed by D "constirea"- constipation that eventually breaks in the form of diarhea. I am always in a bit of suspense, hoping that maybe the long wait means I'll finally get a real, good ol' days full remission-quality log but no, usually it is just constirea.

I had one episode of severe constipation and constipation pain (3 days no BM) a year ago or so and broke it with, of all things, chinese bitter melon at a chinese restaurant. I remembered how it had caused me D once- obviously a bit laxative- and it worked in this case to get things regular again.

As far as phospha-soda goes (for laxative effect as opposed to cscope prep in this case), my reading as well as personal experience (as prep) is that the nu-litely/go-litely mixtures are much, much more gentle on the gut than the phospha-soda, which can cause severe and painful cramps.

Christopher
Pancolitis dx'd 1986, full med-free remission 88-97

Flaring or simmering ever since

10 20 mg pred, 100 mg Imuran

Probiotics (mainly Primal Defense)

Turmeric/circumin, various vitamins/minerals,

Low-carb version of Specific Carb Diet

Posted 10/20/2007 5:07 AM (GMT -7)
Constirea - how appropriate! lol That's what happens to me too. After I get the constipation then the D comes. But truthfully, I would much rather have the D then C because at least SOMETHING is coming out! :)

I'm still constipated :( I thought the Miralax would loosen things up a bit but it only worked a little bit yesterday. Enough for me to get the pressure off my gut anyway. Now I feel like I'm back to square one. I know!!! I am going to a 4 story haunted house today with some friends so maybe it will scare the poopy out of me!?

 @--->--SHERRY--<---@

Left sided Uc -'92 - Colazal, Canasa, 6mp, Prilosec, Biotin, Forvia

Allergies - Singulair, Allegra, Astelin(got the script - just haven't tried it yet!)

Secondary Reynauds Syndrome - '04 - Norvasc

Fibromyalgia - '06 

PLEASE HELP HEALINGWELL CONTINUE TO HELP OTHERS BY CLICKING HERE: DONATE

@--->--Moderator for Allergies/Asthma and Co-moderator for UC--<---@

Posted 10/20/2007 6:05 AM (GMT -7)
I can totally relate here!  It's weird because I'm in a flare right now....I get "urgencies" like I'm not going to make it...but when I try to go I'm constipated. It's like false alarms. Now, I'm never sure if my colon is "Crying Wolf" or not. LOL.
~Aubrey

UC - Diagnosed Nov 2006

Anemic - Diagnosed Nov 2006

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Asacol 400mg 3x3

Iron Supp 325mg x 1

Fish Oil Caps x 4

Birth Control x 1

Lipitor 10mg x 1

Nexium 40mg x 2

Women's One a Day x 1

Posted 10/20/2007 9:49 AM (GMT -7)
Maybe give yourself a fleet enema if you're still having issues? That works quicker than anything since you'd be attacking it right at the source.

:)
My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it!  LOL  :)

Posted 10/20/2007 10:04 AM (GMT -7)
Hey Red.....Im always dealing with constipation. I am almost on a routine now where I eat and eat and eat for anywhere from 4 - 8 days and then my bowels will let things go in one big nasty. Anyways, my doc. wasnt too concerned with the delayed movements up to 5 days. When, I told him last time that it had been 7 days, he was a little concerned but nothing major. He recommended that I use LACTULOSE, which is suppose to be a NON STIMULANT that can be used as a complete clenser or a laxative.

Anyways, thats it, just thought I would share. Hope things start movin for ya soon.

keep smiling.
Just diagnosed Aug. 14/07

Asacol 8 / day (5-Aminosalicylic Acid 400mg)

Pred. 50mg

Cortafoam (butt mousse, not emima)

Florastor Probiotic

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply

Forum Information

Currently it is Monday, January 21, 2019 2:46 PM (GMT -7)
There are a total of 3,035,750 posts in 331,863 threads.
View Active Topics

Who's Online

This forum has 163003 registered members. Please welcome our newest member, Sherrilarnold.
188 Guest(s), 9 Registered Member(s) are currently online.  Details
maggiesfour, acarined, Wilderness, Poppysocks, saraeli, poopydoop, ASAdvocate, slapshot, InTheShop