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Posted 1/3/2009 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone...

Unlinke many UC sufferers, I have never really had to suffer from loose stools....just the painful cramps, urgency, blood, mucus and extreme tiredness!

However, I sometimes get extreme constipation....and I'm suffering now! I am in the middle of a bad UC (proctitus) flare, and have been since August 08.
I haven't had a BM for over 5 days now, and feel really bloated, crampy and uncomfortable! Almost 20 hours ago, I took 2 Ex-Lax tablets to try and get things moving, but so far nothing.

So an hour ago, I went to the pharmacy and for the first time, bought a DIY enema. I have just done the wicket deed, and the results were less than spectacular to say the least! Just produced more mucus, a bit of blood, and a few rabit-droppings...(sorry if that is too much information to some!).

Now I've been eating normally, so I know I have more in me to come out....but its almost like my proctitis is stopping the poop from coming out...my anal area is very sore (more so from the enema, it was very uncomfortable).....

How long do you leave it before you go to the hospital with constipation??!? I don't want to waste anyones time, and I'm not in severe pain....just uncomfortable and worried!

Thanks to anyone who replies.... sad
Posted 1/3/2009 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Taking a fibre supplement daily will aid with C and D.

:)
Posted 1/3/2009 11:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I had the exact same symptoms with my ulcerative proctitis last spring. The combination that has helped me the most is canasa suppositories every night, plus taking a large dose of citrucel (synthetic fiber, not psyllium) every day without fail. Plus I drink loads of water every day. But as my doctor explained it, you must get the inflammation in your colon to calm down first - that was what caused my "constipation" - my colon just was too irritated to allow stool to pass. So please speak with your doctor if this is a continuing problem - it could be that you need other meds or something. Besides, the laxatives are a temporary fix, if they work at all, and they probably won't. That was my experience, anyway!
Good luck to you.
Posted 1/4/2009 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Before you go the hospital route, I suggest buying some Milk of Magnesia- I've suffered from pretty bad constipation over the years myself, & it works wonders. My GI suggested it after a colonoscopy- it had been 4 days since a bm & I was pretty uncomfortable. I took about a half-dose, maybe 3 T, & in the AM- bam! Good, solid, soft bm's- no D, no cramps, no lasting effects either- I went about 4 times that day & then things were back to "normal" for me. It's the most gentle laxative you an use & totally safe for people with IBD.

Posted 1/4/2009 2:35 AM (GMT 0)

sorry to hear dat.i use to have the same problem but not so anymore cuz i found my life saver.its two table spoon of grinded flax seed (linseed) everyday and 1 table spoon of coconut oil 3 times a day.Since i started takin dat in 2007 i havent been on medications since.And d doctor told me dat my situation was very severe, close to cancer and i would be on medication 4 life,well i proved dem wrong.with flaxseed, coconut oil and god i'm great

Posted 1/4/2009 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Guys and girls, thanks so much for all your replies! I have had some 'successs' today in the toilet department, so am feeling less mucky....but am going to the GI in 2 weeks, and will go through all this with him or her....

Think I need to up my water intake, and perhaps try a few of your suggestions also...thanks again peeps! x
Posted 1/4/2009 8:25 PM (GMT 0)

Ontario_Girl,

I also experienced this horrible constipation after being hospitalized and my GI doc told me it was a hallmark sign of UC, even though it seems contradictory. Libby22 said it perfectly - that the lower colon is just too darn irritated to allow larger stool to pass, so it just lets out a little bit at a time while building up above the irritated area, leading to severe constipation. My doc said the sigmoid and anus get so used to passing this small amount of stool and blood and mucus with proctitis that the bowels above sort of "forget how to work properly". He told me to take 15 mls of Lactulose 3x/day to help gently loosen the stool and "retrain" the bowels to works properly again. It's a great laxative available OTC (usually found behind the pharmacists' counter) at any Ontario pharmacy and a big bottle lasts quite a while - and it's cheap! This helped me a lot. Hope something works for you confused

Posted 1/4/2009 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
A more natural method for constipation is pears, but be careful as to much can make you too loose, a rule of thumb is to have some late at night around 8 ish and see what results you have.
You can be constipated and loose at the same time so again be careful that you do not eat too much as the loose will be trying to squeez by, rember the horrid pain you get then a burble up your lefthand side, yes we've all been there and it is painful. should all go well and you keep things moving on a gradual basis then throw a little in your daily routine to keep you regular.
Pears are not citric based so are gentle on the stomach unlike oranges and lemons for whome are supposed to bring on acid production after eating, hence the acid intergestion.
Hope it all helps
ROB
Posted 1/7/2009 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Not a happy bunny....my proctitis constipation has come back with a vengence! (It's been 3 days now since a BM....and even that last one was from taking Ex-Lax)

I feel so bloated, fat, unhealthy and depressed....5 hours ago I took 2 flax seed oil capsules and a dose of Milk of Magnesia to try and get things moving, but as of yet, nothing... And I am doing a very physical university course, and have a physical lesson tommorow.....dreading it!

I'm seriously getting worried that I can't go to the toilet now without some help of a laxitive....as it is, they don't seem to be helping much anyway!

Can't wait to my GI appointment on Tuesday....feeling really low.

Sorry to moan....
Posted 1/8/2009 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
I had this same experience around Thanksgiving.  I had a lot of urgency with no relief...it was miserable.  I tried prune juice which worked but it caused violent cramping and D.  I spent the night sitting on the toilet.  The relief was only temporary and I was consitpated again 2 days later.  I also tried ducolax and metamucil with no results.  At the time, I was taking 1 Canasa at night.  My GI prescribed Lialda 2X per day to try to lesses the inflamation.  He also told me to take Miralax instead of any other laxative.  After about 3 days of Lialda, the urgency started to subside and my BM's became more productive.  I've been taking Lialda for almost 3 weeks and I feel better than I have in months.  My trips to the bathroom are much more "productive" and I don't feel bloated any more.  I still have blood and mucus, but very little urgency and no constipation. 

That being said, I've started to experience some severe pain in my kidneys.  I am hoping and praying that it's not caused by the Lialda. If it doesn't go away in a few days I'm going to have to have it checked out.    confused

Posted 1/8/2009 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
First I thought I wrote the post! :-))
Colazal used to help me a lot...every morning I had BM. However, it failed at my current flare and my GI switched me on Lialda…no BM for 3 days  May be I should wait to adjust to new med?
Posted 1/8/2009 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Have been recently diagnosed with UC and was so confused as most people suffer with bad D, but for me it is usually constipation. So am glad to hear that I am not the only one. Am flaring at the moment had to start Prednisone yesterday, as well as increasing Dipentum. Constipation is improved a little today. Have my first appointment with GI next wk, will probably need a few more test to diagnose which type of colitis I have.
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