Constipation? What?

So, my Crohn's has been in remission for about 8 years now.  I'm on asacol and 6-mp for maintenance.  I had a scope done last week and it showed very minor Crohn's related inflamation.  The problem is that for the past two years now I've suffered from chronic constipation.  When I was sick it was, obviously, quite the opposite.  My doctor doesn't seem to think it's a Crohn's symptom and she doesn't think it's related to my meds.  She's given me everything under the sun to combat it.  I tried miralax, ametiza, (zelnorm before it was taken off the market), and now lactulose.  Nothing really seems to help.  Has anyone had a similar experience? 

constipation is a symptom (allbeit rare) of Chrons, actually if you search the sight, you will find that alot of people have the C version of chrons. Keep at it an d see how you get on. When I get C, i tend to drink alot of tropical juice, seems to get things moving alittle.

Constipation is my big problem. Magnesium supplements help some. I'll have to look into the mineral oil too.

I see you've already tried Miralax, but that is what helps me. I take one capful every day, in the morning. Good luck to you. Blessings, Julie

My daughter is on 6 mp, 50 mgs. and has been suffering from severe constipation. I do believe it is the 6mp because of our elimination of supplements. The myrlax doesn't seem to help. Not sure what to do either.

My Daughter has always presented with C rather than D. I've haven't seen anyone suggest Senekot yet. That seems to help for her. Our GI feels it's fine to take up to 3 times a week. She also emphasized that Constipation can cause some harm if left unchecked. Plenty of fluid is another common treatment.

Hi Sooper, I'm the same! I have heaps of scar tissue, so it makes things even harder... do you have a surgery wound? I have a fistula surgery wound and constipation, I've often wondered if the two are somehow connected (maybe things can't 'get through' that well because of the twists and turns of the scar?)

*Phoebe* I def think things also cant get through cause of the scar tissue is def a factor twist and turns. Even my D comes often with strain to fully initiate through the path that is my very tight anus. For me using the bathroom is a torturous thing 75% of the time. So much so I often think, well I know. That like in 2003 I will have a bag again, only forever. and it will probably be me saying lets do this. Which makes me cry a little cause I dont want a bag again :( I'm 30 now. The disease started in my anus after my first surgery so I figure in another 7 years if it continues to progress at even half the rate of the last 7 I will doomed to use the bathroom. They cant do anything to help other than a bag. Already tryed dilation, and there is too much scar tissue on anus to remove it surgically other than f course removing the anus which means bag. Often I get the spins on the toilet, sweating, shaking... no fun. But somewhere over the last 7 years it just became the norm. If you cant cant eat enough you cant eat enough. is my motto at this point. Some people dont understand how it feels to appreciate why you might eat a lot less than the average folk at times.

OH yes constpation is not my friend i can tell you that... Mind you as of late, i have been ok..but it would get so bad , when i did go i felt like things were tearing apart in there!!! If it isn't one thing it's a fricken other thing..this D.D. just will not give anyone a break..hugs to you!!!!

*Phoebe* It is nice to bump into you : ) Airila sorry to jack your thread. I feel for both of you though, and everyone on this site. If thread jacking is an ill crime here just make this post into a topic mod's for *Phoebe* :)
Scar tissue sucks down there thats for sure *Phoebe*. Makes it tough. Your right the older you get the less you care what people think. ha. You gotta do what you gotta do. For me thats probably a bag unless I get some miracle and my butt just remits. Which it has never done, yet. Im at the brink with the rear exit abilities. I certainly care about a bag though and not to have one and have people be like eww including myself. I mean, I have had one for a year in 2003 to rest my colon after infection and resection. So im familiar and I by no means wanna put anyone down who has one by me whining about getting one. But especially romance wise chicks dont dig bags haha. Though I know, of course if someone loves you they love you etc. Its just trippy. Heart goes out to all with one. ;

Was tested so many times when I was younger 16 and on cause of tummy troubles and they could never find anything wrong. Just kept getting worse and In 2002 I got super sick and they finaLLY found a lot of inflammation in my ilium and made diagnoses. I started Pentasa I think it was. It did nothing and things just kept getting worse. Imuran is my main stay. It basically stops me from having cramps in my lower right abdamon at all which used to debilitate me and still can although not as frequent with no imuran. However, after the surgery in 2003 my butt went on fire and has never stopped mind you it was worst from 2006-2008 inflammation wise and now is just real bad cause of all the scaring but still inflammation and sores present. Right now I take imuran, and cortifoam and am currently doing a round of prednisone. I have tryed in the past Salofalk, Pentasa, Methotrexate and Remicade. I also did a study for VSL#3 a probiotic in 2003 with GI clinic here in Canada. That stuff is great by the way for good bowel movements. But still pains present with it and inflammation. Would def take that in addition to my imuran and cortifoam if it was covered by my insurance though. Oh and cipro and flagyl. Probably something else I have taken in there.

And hey... I guess at least your eating a pear : ) So you ARE eating something. Certainly better than nothing at all. hehe. Maybe I will try some pears tomorrow I havnt had one in a long time in fact. Anyway big hugs and try not to worry what people think about your appetite or eating habits just do what you gotta do to get by.

Post Edited (sooper) : 5/10/2011 10:53:08 PM (GMT-6)

I alternate between C and D with my Crohn's disease. My GI says this is for sure normal with Crohn's. I find the constipation to be really painful and uncomfortable, and I always experience a lot of bloating. My GI recommended a few different things to try. The first was psyllium fiber, which you can use for both constipation and diarrhea. I found this was not super helpful for me, but I have heard it work well for other people. Plus it tastes pretty nasty. I tried a few other over the counter "natural" laxatives, but nothing seemed to work too well. I just started taking Senokot and I find it works great. I take 1 tablet before bed, and it is definitely gentle, and brings me a lot of relief. Hope this helps!