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Periodic bowel cleanses and rest?

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Posted 7/30/2010 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy a few days ago and I think the flush and rest did me some good! I've asked my GI about colonics, cleanses, etc., and he didn't recommend them. But the gentle (but frequent!) shower brought on by MoviPrep was pleasant, especially compared to usual D. And a liquid diet for 1.5 days seemed to give my GI tract a break and I think reduce inflammation somewhat. Anybody here cleanse and rest their GI tract? What products do you use? I know local health stores have "colon" sections, but I haven't checked them out yet. Thanks!
Posted 7/30/2010 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
i thought the preps sometimes helped me too but it didn't last. most of the "cleanses" are not reccommended for us. I won't use 'em
Posted 7/30/2010 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh, I always feel torn up for a few days after prepping... I certainly feel better with less "stuff" in my guts though...
Posted 7/30/2010 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
I just watched a program recently (while in hospital) and said that the bowel cleanses unless for a test are not recommended. They wash out needed bacteria in our systems and can cause more problems.
Posted 7/30/2010 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm, I swear I feel somewhat better since "flushing". Maybe constant contact of poo with inflamed intestine just exacerbates it. And maybe the bacteria gets out of balance (actually one of the theories out there for IBD) and flushing everything out is good, and it can always be repopulated with probiotics. Total speculation, but I do feel a bit better.
Posted 7/30/2010 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
I feel better after the preps for colonoscopies too. I also feel better after resting the bowel by eating soups and liquids only for a few days. I have to do this when my bowel acts up. Yea, most docs don't recommend those cleanses.
Posted 7/31/2010 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Like jeanneac, I also go on liquid diet whenever I'm starting to act up. I don't use any cleanse products -- just eliminate solids and eat a liquid diet. Soups, etc.

It seems to help me -- hope it does you, too
Posted 7/31/2010 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Even this past February when I had my worst flare ever I felt better for a day after my colonoscopy. Only a day though IIRC and then crash and burn.
Posted 7/31/2010 10:24 PM (GMT 0)
In the past I always felt better after a colonoscopy. My last colonoscopy was the exception to the rule, but I don't think I was very well at the time and the harshness of the prep and the painfulness of the examination just aggravated that. In general, however, I have always felt better with an empty digestive tract. I would sometimes delay lunch (never have eaten breakfast) to take advantage of that.

That was as far as it went for me. I never went in for colon cleansing outside of colonoscopies. A few years ago I did ask an IBD nurse about it, and she basically didn't think it was a good idea and advised against it.
Posted 7/31/2010 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe there's just a lack of studies? Before my first colonoscopy I was consistently bleeding. After the prep and colonoscopy, I never bled again until my next flare.
Posted 7/31/2010 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
I am the odd man out here (or woman :) ) My GI told me it was ok to do a cleanse when I asked him. I have used it twice and it is an herbal cleanse with an AM and PM dose. I make sure I take my probiotics.
Posted 8/1/2010 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
I feel slightly better after prep/scope but it only lasts as long as I don't eat... and since I'm not a robot, that's not particularly helpful. Also, the prep itself is awful and fairly painful for me so I don't consider the minor temporary benefits worth it.
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