What can I do to get relief?

Brian I think at this point, I would wait to see what your gastro as to say. Are you moving your bowel at all?

Brian I would be drinking lots of fluids and maybe go on a very low residue or liquid diet. If your issues at the moment are constipation, several of the crohnnies on this board use products like miralax, others use fibre supplements. The problem is that it doesn't sound as though you have a terrific awareness of what's going on inside you. Am I right in thinking that your attitude since diagnosis, is to basically ignore the fact that you have a chronic illness?

Sort of like, "Yah, I know I have crohn's disease, but I'm lucky, it's just a mild case and i can handle it. No problem."

So while you've been busy getting on with your life (and who would blame you) the disease has been quietly perking along inside. You have been non-compliant in taking your medication and, because it is "mild" case you haven't experienced any full-blown crises. And now something isn't right and you haven't a clue what your body is trying to tell you.

It is very hard for any of us to know either. What will provide you relief depends so much on what is causing your symptoms. In my experience constipation in crohn's can be from very different causes. It can mean that you're bowel is narrowing to the point that things are getting backed up. It can mean that your inflammation is settling down and you need to now add fibre to your diet. It may mean that the nervous system that controls the bowel's peristalis is impaired.

Maybe you have a reached the point in your journey with crohn's to begin paying attention to what your body is trying to tell you. Start a food\symptom journal. See whether you can correlate symptoms with what's going on in your life and your stomach. Most important have a thorough discussion with your GI and make a commitment to take this disease seriously.

You need to start from ground zero and begin to build a relationship with your disease and with your health care providers.

I've been where you are and this is said with the very best wishes

Hi Brian Where is your crohn's located? Mine was in the TI area and with the narrowing I could not get my bowels to move just water was coming out. You remind me of when I had my abcessin my abdomin I started thinking prune juice too.Have you had a ultra sound to rule out abcess?Ask your Dr. what is best when you see him for those times you cain't go. Low roughage is foods that are easy to digest like minced meats, veggies cooked really soft, white bread, tuna ,creamed soups,jello ,puddings ,stuff like that. I eat corn flakes for breakfast for bulk.I think if you still have gramps and constipation you might need more testing done or a different med. Hope this helps you some. lol gail

Thanks for the replies.  I am hoping that in maybe I will start feeling better.  I have been drinking lots of fluid today and have only had a few crackers and a piece of bread.  No fun, especially on Memorial Day weekend.  I am very glad this site is available so I can talk to others with similiar problems.  Thanks again.

I'm going to second Celey's recommendation for fluids. Get a supplement drink so you can stay up on the nutrition when you're avoiding food. I drink target brand ensure...it's helpful and I find it makes me feel satisfied so I don't feel hungry.

Brian, If you aren't feeling better, go get seen. I usually switch to soft, liquid diet when I'm having problems. My guess is your having pains for a reason, that reaon needs to be figured out by a doctor. So go and be seen.