Bowel activity in the morning

Anyone ever figure out why some of us with UC have such active bowels first thing in the morning right after wakeup?  is it because we digest quicker than those with normal colons?  I am nearly exactly the same every single morning - multiple trips to the toilet (some quite urgent... like get there NOW)  and then after 0900 it's like someone flips the switch and I'm good until the next morning - same time, same deal.  I've been pleased that my BM's are mostly formed, but broken (small pieces with curves and bends in it) and then the last BM is fluffy  - like second to last on that stool chart. 

anyone else with these habits?  Colonoscopy on a few days (first in nearly 5 years and I'm scared as hell as what they'll find).  paranoid?

Yep, my system is always more active in the morning. I think it's the same for most people actually; just that with UC, we have more activity. Much more! My theory is that it's just that we are vertical for the first time in hours, moving around more, etc etc. Everything gets fired up and goes into action.

Good luck with the colonoscopy. If there's anything there, it's better to find it. Well, that's what I kept telling myself before mine and it helped my fear.... a bit.

mbx5 said...
Definitely more active in the morning, not as active during the day unless I eat something nasty, then evening time rolls around and I have some urgency again.... I think our colons fill up over night w/ mucous, gas, and puss and blood, then once we wake up normal movements kick in and that stuff is first on deck which makes for some urgent trips to the toilet and some big explosions...

I just got a colonoscopy last week.... I was petrified as to what would be found - and actually I got good news - my pancolitis is now left side only... My biopsy results are not back yet however, so I dont want to jinx myself... initial findings were actually relatively good news.... The stress leading up to my colonoscopy made things worse so if you can try to keep calm and think positive!! I realize the stress - you have had UC a few years longer than I have....I always fear the looming find of dysplacia or worse.... :(

I agree that the anticipation of the procedure send the mind in all kinds of ugly directions - the amount of information on the internet doesn't help much, either.  I keep telling myself that my symptoms are far better now than previously so I'm hoping the scope will reflect the same.

Your bowel wakes up in the morning as you do, and if there's any stool in the sigmoid, it'll download quickly especially if there's any rectal inflammation..hence the urgency and multiple bms.

Take advantage of morning bms....more convenient than anytime bms. Your bowel can become trained to have morning bms....it's a good thing from my perspective, for once you're in remission, morning bms can still be part of your morning regimen.

You should, however, also be on rectal meds.

REgarding the c-scope....it's good you're having one..first in 5 years since diagnosis or you mean first ever?

You might even want to ask to be kept awake somewhat so that you can watch the monitor...for me, that's the best part.

Yes, I would say most all of us are afraid of what they'll find...I'm always relieved when I hear "no precancer or cancer....that means no surgery". Any other inflammation I don't care about since it can be handled with my meds.

Please ask about rectal meds....since you're on sulfasalazine, you should be able to handle 5ASA rectal enemas or suppositories...of course, that would depend on how much inflammation you have rectally. But, they're invaluable in helping with early flares and maintenance remission..which is a good thing.

Keep us posted as to how your c-scope goes....

Oh, forgot to add you can consider fibre supplements...that also helps with regulating bms. I personally won't leave the house before my morning bm...and when I'm not flaring, it's not immediate. I like to drink coffee to trigger it...but that's become a habit, for it would work just as well with water.

quincy

quincy said...
Your bowel wakes up in the morning as you do, and if there's any stool in the sigmoid, it'll download quickly especially if there's any rectal inflammation..hence the urgency and multiple bms.

Take advantage of morning bms....more convenient than anytime bms. Your bowel can become trained to have morning bms....it's a good thing from my perspective, for once you're in remission, morning bms can still be part of your morning regimen.

You should, however, also be on rectal meds.

REgarding the c-scope....it's good you're having one..first in 5 years since diagnosis or you mean first ever?

You might even want to ask to be kept awake somewhat so that you can watch the monitor...for me, that's the best part.

Yes, I would say most all of us are afraid of what they'll find...I'm always relieved when I hear "no precancer or cancer....that means no surgery". Any other inflammation I don't care about since it can be handled with my meds.

Please ask about rectal meds....since you're on sulfasalazine, you should be able to handle 5ASA rectal enemas or suppositories...of course, that would depend on how much inflammation you have rectally. But, they're invaluable in helping with early flares and maintenance remission..which is a good thing.

Keep us posted as to how your c-scope goes....

Oh, forgot to add you can consider fibre supplements...that also helps with regulating bms. I personally won't leave the house before my morning bm...and when I'm not flaring, it's not immediate. I like to drink coffee to trigger it...but that's become a habit, for it would work just as well with water.

quincy

Thanks Quincy - you are right on the money - can't leave the house unless all bowel movements are finished and I do think my bowel is trained for mornings.  I think I aggravate the situation because after first BM, I drink a cup of coffee which likely disturbs the bee's nest that's already active.  I used to use coffee as a means of promoting BM's to speed things along in the AM.... Not real necessary now - just need the caffein jolt.

 My NP told me that rectal meds might help (the colonoscopy will show exactly where the inflamation is).  She also said that since the inflamation sounds like it's down low, the Azulfidine might not be very effective.  All I know is that it seems to be controlling symptoms to a few BM's in the morning with some mucous and lots of gas during the first one, a huge improvement over my early days.  Indeed, I have had several colonscopies in the past - just not one in 5 years (actually, a tad longer than that).

Yup, same here. Mornings are the worst for me. I do have some during the day sometimes, though, and usually one or two in the evening. I'm in a severe flare right now. Had my scope last week and biopsies turned out negative and no dysplasia...whew! However, the doc said my pancolitis is severe. I was awake and it didn't look good to me, either. My GI doesn't want to put me on prednisone again (I didn't want it, either) and upped my Remicade to 10mg/kilo and I had that today. I hope it works, 'cause the next step could be surgery. He's sending me to another doc who specializes a bit more and has a study going for some new med, but because I'm so sick it may not be good for me in case I get the placebo. I agree. I sure hope the Remi works 'cause I don't want surgery!

One wouldn't "go" unless there was something to expel....so for that fact, may people who don't have UC or CD have to go as soon as they wake-up. Our butts are sometimes on their own clock....

We are talking here about flaring, however....and to me, it's still a good thing to go first thing in the morning. At least it's "expected". If I don't go when planned, there is some "distress" mentally, and the more I wait, the longer it takes. Once the urge is there, I jump at it rather than holding it in...for I want to get on with the day.

q

I would think fo most of us mornings are the most active but that doesn't mean it doesn't continue throughout the day, eve and night for many especially during more severe flares, but even when flares are less severe I think mornings for the majority are most active still...it's how it has always been for me at least...and I've had many times throughout the yrs where it's active around the clock as well.

:)