Constipation

My daughter has never really had diareah, but usually gets bouts of constipation. I was wondering if anyone knows if constipation can cause any problems in itself, or have any adverse effects on an area affected by Crohn's? Her usual pattern is every other day, but quite often only every third day. Occassionally, she won't go for a week. I don't like to give her anything for it, only occassionaly Senekot. I'm also wondering if she should eat more fiber, which she hardly has any of.

Thanks, Tom.

Fiber can actually cause scarring? Any fiber in particular?

Tom why not give her something to help relieve the constipation? That makes no sense to me. I suffer with constipation alot. I have told you on multiple occasions that I use stool softers to help me. They are not laxatives. They just help to soften the stool to make it easier to pass. If I didn't take these I would be in a world of hurt. JMHO

Tom,
after my surgery while I was taking narcs I had problems with C for a while. My GI and surgeon both reccommended Senekot. It is very safe to use daily. You can get it with or without a mild laxative. So just use the one without a laxative. A stool softener is not addicitve or anything and is a neccessity for some. She must be very uncomfortable only going every 3 days. I get uncomfortable if on the rare occassion I don't go for a day.

Tanya

I think we'll give the Senekot a try tonight. Although it doesn't seem to always work. I will discuss stool softeners with the GI at our next appt. at the end of April.

My advice is up there with what Nanners said. I have them both but I'd much rather have D than C if one gets to pick these things. Stool softeners actually have taken away the D times too, and hey things seem better b/c of that.

I take miralax daily also and it really seems to help me. I work in a hospital and one of the Pediatrician doctors overheard me complaining to a nurse about constantly going between C and D and he said that being regular even if it means taking this is better for my colon. I figure if a lil kid can take it I can.... oh BTW, I have been doing this for over a year and it's been a lifesaver.

She did take 2 Senekot last night, but it didn't really work very well. She did have a small BM though, but still has a full feeling. She's only used it a couple of times, so don't have much experience with it. Should she take it for a few nights, or should it have worked with just one dose?

Tom.  

Hi Tanya,

I was going to get her the Senekot-S, tomorrow if this dose doesn't resolve anything. I believe the Senekot-S, is laxative plus softener. I'm wondering how many days she should keep taking this if she doesn't get a good result. 

Tom.

I have a question about Miralax.  I have read it is safe to use daily but does it mess up your colon like using stimulant laxaxtives do?  Exlax makes your colon appear all black when the doctors scope you..  Woudl miralax do the same thing?  I hear it is safe to use daily. I need to keep my stookd soft due to a prolapse.  prof

Well I guess the Senekot worked to some degree. My daughter had a large and normal BM this afternoon. She did increase her fiber for the last couple of days as well. Normally, she hardly eats any. We'll have to see if she goes normally over the next week, but if not I won't hesitate to get more Senekot rather than let it go on too long. 

Thanks, Tom. 

I am glad things are moving again for her. I know I feel sick to my stomach alot when things get too slow, thats why I prevent it by taking my stool softners daily. Hope things continue moving for her.

Carmen,

Thanks for the suggestions. The ones that know me here might remember some of my posts refering to my daughters stubborn taste buds. While your suggestions sound good, my daughter would likely not go for anything that has taste issues. She absolutely gags at anything thats off to her.

Tom.