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Posted 10/18/2007 3:58 PM (GMT -6)
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??
Posted 10/18/2007 4:19 PM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 1:16 AM (GMT -6)
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).
Posted 10/19/2007 5:25 AM (GMT -6)
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! :)
Posted 10/19/2007 6:09 AM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 9:19 AM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 10:39 AM (GMT -6)
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
Posted 10/19/2007 10:49 AM (GMT -6)
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.

:)
Posted 10/19/2007 11:33 AM (GMT -6)
You know what always works for me?  Kashi cereal!  It gets me going every time.

Posted 10/19/2007 11:40 AM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 11:48 AM (GMT -6)
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).
Posted 10/19/2007 1:03 PM (GMT -6)
I can't stand Kashi cereal. Yuck.

But I really do like the Kashi cheddar crackers! They're super yummy!
Posted 10/19/2007 1:38 PM (GMT -6)
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.

Posted 10/19/2007 1:47 PM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 1:53 PM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/19/2007 1:59 PM (GMT -6)
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?

Posted 10/19/2007 2:26 PM (GMT -6)
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!
Posted 10/19/2007 8:28 PM (GMT -6)
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
Posted 10/20/2007 6:07 AM (GMT -6)
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!?
Posted 10/20/2007 7:05 AM (GMT -6)
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.
Posted 10/20/2007 10:49 AM (GMT -6)
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.

:)
Posted 10/20/2007 11:04 AM (GMT -6)
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.
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