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New problem how to keep from getting constipated

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Posted 10/15/2012 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
My Norm is many mulitple trips to the bathroom, however since starting the medicine my bowels have slowed way way down. My concern now is being constipated with this low residual diet they have me on. What do some of you do to keep things moving without harming your bowels?
Posted 10/15/2012 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
I use a little bit of miralax every other day to keep things moving. It's a pretty common problem on this forum!
Posted 10/15/2012 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure if I remember correctly, but didn't we talk about cholestyramine once a short time ago?  If it was you, are you taking it?  Perhaps you are getting more of that than you need

If it is not the cholestyramine (Questran), I would recommend getting more liquids in your diet too.  I have not been a C concern since my resection 22 years ago, but I do still have some tougher days.  I know if I get the least bit dehydrated, it causes issues.  I just had tearing this morning and I know I did not get enough fluids this weekend.

Hope things are going better now (all puns intended!)

Posted 10/15/2012 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh no thats not me Ive never taken Questran. Im newly diagnosed and only taken whats in my siggy except a couple of days of asacol. I still have urgency that's for sure not near as bad I seem to have gone to the bathroom more today for some reason but I did feel a bit constipated this morning of course it could have been my imagination since I have had loose stools off and on for probably 15- 20 yrs My stool consistency is starting to firm up though and Ive only been on medicine for about 2 weeks still rectal issues this seems to be the worst that makes me nervous with the constipation. This is a bit overwhelming for me there is so much to know and it doesn't seem like the Dr's tell you much. I am so very very grateful for this forum.

Will look into Miralax as a precaution just in case I cant afford anymore little fissures they hurt.
Posted 10/16/2012 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Ive been running into the same issue, have been on low residue diet since August, I haven't found something that works perfect yet, but I drink plenty of fluids and try to have a couple hot drinks as well as they can stimulate the bowel. Also I use vaseline a couple times a day for the fissures, keeps it moisturized and takes the edge off when you do go.....

Not sure if it will work for you but may help :)
Posted 10/16/2012 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Good information those little fissures are quit a problem they do bleed and get irritated. I guess I need to go to the drug store and get some vaseline. Im guessing I can also use this for lubricating the suppositories as well those kind of hurt going in but have been given some good tips on how to fix that. Im not sure im drinking enough I had my first whole day back to work yesterday and its so easy to get consumed in your job then before I knew I was late taking my Pentasa and hadnt really drank that much. Maybe Ill switch to hot tea during the day instead of Ice Tea. I see in your siggy you went to Peru what an awesome trip that must have been.

Thanks for everyones response
Posted 10/16/2012 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Mom....those fissures are a real pain.  I just started using OTC cortisone cream instead of the vaseline and neosporin I was using.  You might want to try it...I am wishing I had sooner.

Yes, work tends to make me forget to drink.  I don't know what you do, but I found setting my computer calendaer to put up a memo every couple of hours to get a water and at 11 when I need to take my pre-lunch meds.

Posted 10/16/2012 11:57 AM (GMT 0)
I Have an office job I work for State Farm. I'm in front of a computer most of the day. Oh good idea I have a reminder as part of my outlook calendar I was given a cortisone cream at the hospital its called Proctosol 2.5 mg. I didn't know how far up the behind I could go with that did not want to make things worse. I may give this a try this morning before I head out.

Thanks for the tips these things I don't know unless someone tells me. Thanks again
Posted 10/17/2012 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Good Luck!

Yes the trip was amazing, I am so happy I was able to go, I had no problems with my crohns when I was there either! Not sure if it was the fresh food or the lack of stress but it was awesome!
Posted 10/17/2012 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Don't forget, Mom2, that tea is a diuretic. You really need to drink water.
Posted 10/30/2012 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
Ive been drinking a lot of koolaid instead of tea. Is this OK? is there anything in Koolaid that would be a problem? I'm also drinking Crystal light I use the pure fitness one as it does not have the artificial sweetener in it. I'm finding it really hard to stay hydrated. Noticing a bit of constipation but stool still soft (weird!) What about Gatorade is it good will it effect my Chrones? My fissures cause more pain then my bowels where I have no pain at all unless its the occasional gas pain. My Chrones is located in my Ileum and left colon and rectum. My rectum as far as I'm concerned is the worse.
Posted 10/30/2012 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I drink water all day and I still get constipated. Miralax will make your stool more liquified so it will be soft, but I find that it doesn't always help with motility. For me, probiotics help. I'm also able to tolerate fiber pills, but with your stricture, you should check with your doctor first about that. For me, I also find exercise extremely important. I sit for my job too. I try to take a walk with my dog every day, but I also get up and walk around my office building on breaks...besides the constipation, it hurts my joints to sit for too long.
I know this can be so overwhelming at times. I had to stay home from work this morning because I have been constipated and this am, I was having a "poop fest"....when I'm finally able to go, it seems like I then have to poop a million times. It seems like such a dumb reason to miss work, but I really couldn't function this morning otherwise. I hope you find a routine/method that works for you soon. As far as Gatorade and KoolAid, the sugar or artificial sweetener both may be a problem...you will just have to experiment. I have coffee in the morning (too stubborn to give it up) and then I switch to water and chamomile tea for the rest of the day. Prior to my Crohn's, I used to be addicted to Diet coke, but now I've eliminated all carbonated beverages.
One of the hardest parts of getting used to this disease is that you can get ideas from us on the forum, but you still have to figure out what works for you, because we all react differently. Not only that, but for me, I can have a routine/diet that seems to work, and then for unknown reasons, it doesn't work anymore....very infuriating. We're all in it with you if that is at all comforting. Good luck.
Posted 10/30/2012 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
From one who has dealt w/constipation my entire life - before and since Crohn's: cheap and simple - one small can single serving size can of prune juice. Works great for me.
Posted 10/30/2012 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I suffer with constant constipation more so than the runs.
I find regular walking or any gentle exercise helps.
I also use either a senna or some thing such a movicol fibregel etc

I don't know how food affect you but I find some proper cooked veggies or soup helps me out too

Also make sue you're drinking enough water!

Hope you feel some relief soon!!!
Posted 10/31/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've had a few horrific bouts with constipation, but - touch wood - I'm okay on that front right now. Often starting a course of steroids causes constipation with me, especially in the first week at the highest dose. It threatened to do that time as well, but then my guts sort of seemed to shrug and say, 'oh whatever, I can't be bothered hanging onto this crap; here, I'll evict it for you'.

I have found in the past that hot water seems to be quite effective. If you really can't stomach hot water, it'll probably be okay if you add a bit of flavouring to it - personally I never minded it. Anyway, I would have two or three cups on the trot sometimes. If it did not work straight away, it seemed to work later on.

Another thing: squatting and pushing. Yes, I'm going there. The way we sit on toilets is not actually the best way for having a BM. If you raise your knees higher (plant the feet on a stool), or squat over a pre-prepared bed of toilet paper, you'll probably find the BM moves more readily. Next: pushing. Or, maybe more accurately, straining. It does you no good whatsoever to strain until you go puce in the face. Push a bit, but if the stool flatly refuses to go any further, try relaxing until you feel an urge again, then resume a steady pushing. Yeah, you kind of need patience and a good book or puzzle...

Not to give TMI or anything, but I have expelled a few beasts without feeling the pain that way. But luckily, that is not something I'm dealing with atm... :-/
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