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Constipation and proctitis

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Posted 2/5/2009 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Is constipation a normal symptom of proctitis as its what i seem to suffer from most of the time , either that or very frequent visits to the toilet to mostly let out a load of gas blood and mucous.I am using asacol foam enema at the moment but have trouble keeping it in for more than a few minutes,anyone know how long it needs to be in to work .
Posted 2/5/2009 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
When there's inflammation in the rectom it kinda gives a feeling of constipation, what you're experiancing is the norm for proctitis, the urge to go but often mucus (bloody or not) only comes out (and gas)...try using the asacol enemas at your least active time of day/night so it has a chance to stay in longer...how long it takes to work varies from person to person and even flare to flare.

Good luck and feel better soon :)
Posted 2/5/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I've never used the Asacol Foam enema before, but when I was using a hydrocortisone enema I found that if I used less than a full dose I was able to keep it in longer. Maybe try a half dose if possible, then work your way up to the proper amount. I did it at night and after a week or so was able to retain it overnight while sleeping.
Posted 2/5/2009 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
You're supposed to try to keep Rowasa enemas in for at least 30 minutes while laying on your left side, but preferably all night. I've never tried the foam. Usually the pain of keeping the enema in subsides after a couple minutes, for me. As you heal, it should become easier to retain it.

Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 2/6/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
yup! constipation started my problem. My doctor advised me to drink lots of water and try not have constipation. I do try not to have C devil with lots of fibrous food... but doesn't help always.
Posted 2/6/2009 9:03 AM (GMT 0)
thanks for all the replies does anyone else also suffer from a really sore anus
Posted 2/6/2009 9:23 AM (GMT 0)
Don't worry we do suffer from sore anus at times. The best thing is apply some gel like I use Metronidazole (Metrogyl Gel) I am a person with J pouch. In so far as enema retention is concerned, my suggestion to you is that while taking enema you should lie on left side and keep one or two pillows under your butt/bum so that there is a tilt toward your rectum and then insert the enema, while taking a long inside breadth. Lie in that position for as long as you can. The best time is to have it in the night, because then you may fall asleep and the enema would retain till you wake up. I could retain for hours. Evn though during acute flare ups it is difficult.
So far as anal sores is concerned it also happens becaue of hydrocortisone enemas or enema appartaus. Please apply appropriate gel/cream before inserting the enema. this should help.
Cheers and good health.
If you become sick and patient one thing you should never loose is patience.
Posted 2/6/2009 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
kheal67,
I have all of the same symptoms as you. Proctitis, urgency...and then when all is calm. The constipation. Here is my experiences and what has worked:

1. I had tried enemas for many years, and they always seemed to make things worse for me. I felt like they just made my insides gurggle all day. So my doc suggested I use the suppositories (or bullet of health my husband calls them). These have worked great. Im able to keep them in no prob. I do one at night before bedtime and Im good. If Im in a flare, I'll do another one in the morning.

2. For my constipation, I've found that when I feel that Im going into a bout of it, I start up with a daily dose of MiraLax. If you can start it soon enough, then it works great. Although, my last bad bout of constipation in Dec. had me running to the drug store for enemas and laxatives for some relief. And then when all is normal again, i try to introduce a Metamucil tablet to my diet for a while. Ive never been able to take the powder and drink it and I figure I take so many pills during the day..what's one more.

Hope this helps a little...
Posted 2/6/2009 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
I get constipated too, & the enemas seemed to make it worse for me. Maybe it's that you're trying to clench the muscles to hold the med in, so it's harder to relax & actually go?? Who knows. But, I eat a fair amount of fiber & that makes all the diff! All types- Metamucil wafers daily, apples, Frosted mini-wheats, cooked veggies, popcorn sometimes. As long as I keep an eye on my fiber intake, I'm usually ok. It's hard, because many people with UC tend to eat colon-friendly foods- with basically zero fiber content. But honestly, the more regulare I am, the less my UC bothers me. Plus, who really likes doing enemas?!?!?!

Posted 10/25/2010 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I was diagnosed with proctitis June 2009 and was also suffering with the constipation. I have had my current flare up since June 2010, the constipation had improved with the use of Bisacodyl (?) and the bleeding was slowly getting less and less after using the Rowasa enamas for 1 month. The doctor said that this should have stopped it and so changed me to a course of Hydrocortisone enamas which have made everything worse again... I am constipated and have exactly what you said, the urgency to go but then all that comes out is gas and blood/mucus. Even if I do manage to pass a stool it still feels like I need to go. I eat a healthy balanced diet but I'm confused by the advice given for food to avoid if you suffer from UC because most of it (I think) is just because most people are suffering with diarrhea and not constipation! Should I still be avoiding caffeine and diary? and surely it should be an increase in high fiber foods?

Just curious if anyone else has had the same confusion?

Thanks
Posted 10/25/2010 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi..welcome.

Constipation is common with UP....coffee can help increase the activity of the colon, so it might help. Stool softeners can help, but I would suggest you add a probiotic and fibre supplement. What I use is in my signature.

Are you on oral 5ASA as well?

How many bms are you having daily?

Eat what you can...eat for comfort. Eating fibre foods (variety) will be helpful in keeping your colon working...it's the inflammation that's not sending the right messages to your colon to just do its thing and work.

You could ask the doc for suppositories to use during the day after the majority of your bms and use the enemas at night. As well, possibly adding an oral med such as Asacol...low dosage of maybe 1600 mg daily will help keep above the rectum/sigmoid quiet.

Do you have any inflammation around the cecum?

quincy
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