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From pooping to....farting...?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/7/2009 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry about the language, but that's the best way that I can describe my recent problems... ;)

I've had active UC for about 5-6 years now, but recently FINALLY feel as though I might be close to remission (please God). I stopped taking Humira and went back to basic anti-inflammatories (and OMEGA 3 and VSL#3 pills) and I have less BMs per day now, less urgency, etc...

Buuuuuuut, I still get these "pains" in my abdomen which FEEL like I have to poop. But when I go to the bathroom, 80% of the time, only GAS is now coming out. And I mean....BIG-TIME gas!

Does anyone know what this signifies? Am I closer to remission? Might I also have IBS? Has anyone else ran into this issue?

Thanks for any feedback on this!
Posted 10/7/2009 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Could also be the VSL#3 ... how long have you been taking it? I had that problem for the first few weeks I started taking probiotics.
Posted 10/7/2009 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I get gas with the probiotics too...I think that may be what it is.
Posted 10/8/2009 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Nacholover,

Some probiotics can cause crazy gas. I actually called up the people at Natren last week to see what they would recommend to deal with that (as I've been trying one of their probiotics recently) and they didn't have anything new to say....just the typical advice about trying different doses to see what suits you, or giving it more time as your body adjusts to the probiotics...

Also, if you're not doing this already, you should try avoiding gassy foods and see if that helps...(especially if you're having beans with those nachos!)
Posted 10/8/2009 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Probiotics have never caused me excess gas and I've tried a few different ones, but my GI suspected I also had IBS along with my IBD when I was complaining of excessive gas and mucous (bloating too), he told me to take fibre supplements daily and indefinitely which I have been now for about 5 yrs and it was the best advice ever from a GI...once my system adjusted to it (it gave me even more gas and bloating) then all my excessive gas and bloating completely gone with many other benefits like formed stools no more mush, and less daily bowel movements as well.

:)
Posted 10/8/2009 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
I'm getting that too! I kinda just thought it was a side effect from Lialda. I'm not on any probiotics except for an occasional yogurt. maybe I'll have to ask my GI about it next time I see him...
Posted 10/8/2009 4:21 AM (GMT 0)

LuckyLindy said...
Could also be the VSL#3 ... how long have you been taking it? I had that problem for the first few weeks I started taking probiotics.

I doubt it. I've only been taking it for a week or so, and only take 2 tablets a night.
Posted 10/8/2009 4:23 AM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
Probiotics have never caused me excess gas and I've tried a few different ones, but my GI suspected I also had IBS along with my IBD when I was complaining of excessive gas and mucous (bloating too), he told me to take fibre supplements daily and indefinitely which I have been now for about 5 yrs and it was the best advice ever from a GI...once my system adjusted to it (it gave me even more gas and bloating) then all my excessive gas and bloating completely gone with many other benefits like formed stools no more mush, and less daily bowel movements as well.

:)

Wow, this sounds like GREAT advice to try, at the very least. Would you recommend any specific "fibre supplements"? Is that the same thing as METAMUCIL?

Thanks!
Posted 10/8/2009 5:16 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, the one I use is called Prodiem (hard to find in the US, I'm in Canada) but it's similar to metamucil, I'd take the caps though, the other forms tend to have sweetners and other un-necessary junky stuff in them where as the caps don't.

Start with a small amount (expect increased gas/bloating, this is normal and happens to healthy people as well) and drink plenty of water with it...increase only if necessary (if you're not finding it bulking stools enough) and only after you've initally adjusted to it (bloating/gas disipates)...and if/when you find it's benefitting you, stick with it daily and indefinitely (as my GI recommended) otherwise if you stop cuz things are going well, then when you flare again you'll have to re-adjust to it all over again...I've been taking it every single night before bed for the last 5 yrs with no ill effects, only benefits.

:)
Posted 10/8/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)

pb4 said...
Yes, the one I use is called Prodiem (hard to find in the US, I'm in Canada) but it's similar to metamucil, I'd take the caps though, the other forms tend to have sweetners and other un-necessary junky stuff in them where as the caps don't.

Start with a small amount (expect increased gas/bloating, this is normal and happens to healthy people as well) and drink plenty of water with it...increase only if necessary (if you're not finding it bulking stools enough) and only after you've initally adjusted to it (bloating/gas disipates)...and if/when you find it's benefitting you, stick with it daily and indefinitely (as my GI recommended) otherwise if you stop cuz things are going well, then when you flare again you'll have to re-adjust to it all over again...I've been taking it every single night before bed for the last 5 yrs with no ill effects, only benefits.

:)

Awesome, thanks for that, I'll try it next week. I'm in Canada also, so I'll check into Loblaw's or something for it....thanks again!
Posted 10/8/2009 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
NachoLover I hope you have great success with it...I buy mine from walmart (cheapest place I've found it at).

Be sure to update on your experiance with it.

And be very careul when you're looking for the Prodiem stool bulking fibre therapy on the shelf cuz Prodiem also makes a laxative (little round brown pills), the Prodiem stool bulking fibre therapy has a mild laxative so you don't get constipated.


:)

Posted 10/8/2009 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Nacholover, I am totally in the place you are in right now!  It seems like everytime I am approaching remission the gas is out of control and painful!  But for me, it is always a good sign!
Posted 10/8/2009 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
i dont take probiotics either. they didnt work for me (that i could tell anyway)

but when i get gas that is just gas and not extra filling... then i know im close to remission.
if i can fart and im not on the can thats a good sign!

if im flaring, there is no way i will gamble on farting unless im over the bowl. ill pass on the trouser chilli thanks!
omg can you imagine.
Posted 10/9/2009 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
Omigosh that last post just made me laugh out loud. It is so true. Nacho, I hope you're feeling better soon.
Posted 11/7/2009 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
hey nacho lover, just reading your posts i think were sorta in the same boat right now, considering surgery, totally sick of dealing with this disease, etc, im in canada too on the west coast and i've had uc since i was 16, im 27 now.........anyways hoping to meet with a new doc next week, ive recently moved and my doc of 10 years is too far away, plus i think its good to talk to someone new and hopefully try something new ie remicade.......pred doesnt seem to be working like it used to.......if ya wanna chat sometime let me know cya
Posted 11/8/2009 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Yep fiber supplements are a good idea ... I went through a period where the bathroom trips were tapering off because the Lialda started kicking in, but so did the gas. My kids even were sitting outside the bathroom door betting on how long mommy's farts were! Ugh - little boys. Anyway, I started taking two fiber supplements with each meal and after a few days, I started having less gas and more formed bm's. The beauty is that you can raise or lower the amount of fiber based on how you feel. I have tried benefiber that is "supposedly" tasteless but I tasted it. I take the generic cheap fiber capsules you can find at Walmart ...
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