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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/16/2008 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry if I am getting to be a pain in the butt... I have a few more questions and i'm sure I will think of many more! lol

 

Something that I never really had a ton of was constipation. I'm so used to the chronic diahrea. about a month ago is when I had my first bout of constipation ever. Yesterday I started to feel very constipated again. I remember vaguely my doctor mentioning something about getting a blockage or something I was still drowsy from the colonoscopy so I don't recally exactly what he said. I do know he said that it was very narrow so to be careful. Should I be concerned? I feel like I have to go but I really can't. I just don't want to call my doctor a million times if there is someone here that can suggest somthing to me before I call.

I also want to ask about any natural things that may help? I will continue trying the meds that i'm on now but just something that may help ease some of what i'm going through. My husband insists that there must be something. I'm trying to explain to him that there is no magical happy pill thats going to make my CD disappear. I think he is sort of in denial of me having it even though he knows I have been sick for so long.

Posted 1/16/2008 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
If you have a narrowing confirmed by colonoscopy that worried your doctor, then becoming constipated may be a sign for concern. Watch and see, but if you begin having symptoms of an actual blockage -- severe abdominal pain with no stools, vomiting -- you should contact him immediately or go to the emergency room. Blockages can be very serious and can even result in a bowel rupture requiring emergency surgery, so monitor your symptoms and dn't wait to act if it gets worse. That said, constipation is not an unusual symptom in Crohns, as long as it does not last too long.

Posted 1/16/2008 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
I have had two resections due to blockages. I was always on stool softners before each surgery just keep things moving. I recently have had to start using them again. Don't do that without doctors okay first. But they have always helped me. Also, modifying your diet might help to avoid a blockage also. I have been living on a low residue diet since early last year because I had 3 obstructive episodes in about 3 weeks last Feb and March. I had to figure it out on my own, but the diet has really helped me. Diet and the stool softners might be something you can talk to your GI about. Good luck!
Posted 1/16/2008 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Amanda,

You mentioned you were still very groggy when your Doc talked to you about your scope.  Did you get a written report with care instructions and what meds to take?  If your not sure you may be wise to revist with your physician and see what you should be doing.  :-) My hubby has had 3 resections and you do not want to risk a blockage so  best ask your MD.

The members here have given great advice and they already understand how nasty a bowel obstruction can be. So please, take care.

Posted 1/16/2008 8:11 PM (GMT 0)

stkitt said...

Hey Amanda,

You mentioned you were still very groggy when your Doc talked to you about your scope.  Did you get a written report with care instructions and what meds to take?  If your not sure you may be wise to revist with your physician and see what you should be doing.  :-) My hubby has had 3 resections and you do not want to risk a blockage so  best ask your MD.

The members here have given great advice and they already understand how nasty a bowel obstruction can be. So please, take care.

The md. did write down the instructions as far as taking my meds. When I was unsure about lowering the prednisone every week I called in immediately to clarify it before I started it because I didn't want to make any mistakes. I am going to call my md today to see what he says bout the constipation even though it just started yesterday i'm sort of nervous about it now.
Posted 1/17/2008 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
if you want to do natural things, then i highly recommend a radical diet change. this has worked for me and countless others. the best two that i have seen are the specific carbohydrate diet and the maker's diet. i do the maker's diet and incorporate parts of the scd into it. i did a post a month or so back comparing the two. you should be able to find it by searching my name and what posts i've submitted. if not, let me know and i'll repost it for you (i think i saved it on my computer). word of warning though: both diets are radical and intimidating and demanding. but if you have the self control and discipline, i truly believe you'll reap tons of benefits from it. i do not guarantee a cure or anything of the like, but it should (i expect) radically decrease your symptoms.
Posted 1/17/2008 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
If you have some sort of a stricture or narrowing, I would be VERY cautious about any of the diets that encourage fruits and veggies, especially in their raw, natural state, unless OKed by your doctor. If you have a stricture and start putting a lot of fiber in your system you could cause a blockage. Keep to a low residue diet until you clear something else with your doctor! The SCD diet or Makers Diet may be just what you need, BUT, you should ckeck with your doctor first. You are too new to this and unsure of just where your disease is and what it entails. So until you have a follow up visit, stick to the foods you know don't upset you.

As far as signs of a blockage, also be aware of bloating. If your belly swells up and you look like you are pregnant again. That is concerning. Also, bowel sounds. Absence of bowel sounds for long periods of time, not good. If at any time you are getting concerned that things are getting worse or you just have a bad feeling, trust your instinct. IF it is during regular business hours, call your doctor, IF not, go to the ER. It is better to be safe than sorry. You have 3 precious little ones you need to think about and complications from a ruptured blockage can be extremely serious. So please, be safe. And keep us posted.
Posted 1/17/2008 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
Even though I had constant diarrhea for a LONG time before I was diagnosed, right after my first colonoscopy I was constipated for a few days... it kinda freaked me out, but it was nothing. I think it was just from my colon being empty and disrupting my normal schedule. I've never had a blockage but from what I've heard the pain is like nothing else and you'll know it. That said, definitely don't feel like you can't ask your GI anything, because that's what you pay him/her for!
Posted 1/17/2008 4:43 AM (GMT 0)
Prednisone can cause constipation.
Posted 1/17/2008 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Lucky for me (the way I see it) I'm either allergic or non-responsive to the traditional oral RX used for IBD...so I had to put my skeptisism about natural prodcuts aside and give it a try and it was the best thing I could have done...

I use bee propolis, omegas 3-6-9, primadophilus reuteri probiotic, prodiem stool bulker, vitamins B12, A, C-calcium ascorbate.

I eat a healthy diet, no sugar, processed foods, fast-foods, caffeine or animal fats and I exercise regularly drink chamomile tea and lots of water.

:)
Posted 1/17/2008 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
This is all really great advice I really appreciate. I am going to search for the post comparing the diets. I am also going to contact my doctor today. Even to pass gas it feels as if it has to be a strain just to do so. Still no luck with going to the bathroom either. There has been nothing on tues, wed, or today which is thursday. I usually have diahrea EVERYDAY it never fails. I am going to call just to be safe.

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