should i try using a stool softener to lessen friction in the digestive tract for UC?

should i try using a stool softener to lessen friction in the digestive tract for UC?

i don't mind having diarrhea.  i just want to avoid friction in the digestive tract that can cause bleeding.  my goal is to be blood-free.  not diarrhea-free.

quincy said...
well, if you're having solid stool or semi-solid and still bleeding, you're flaring, you should be using rectal meds.

The bleeding could be from a fissure? is it only on the toilet paper or in the toilet and around the stool?

You could try adding a fibre supplement..that will help bulk/soften/fluff the stool and help give it added "slip" for lack of a better word.

A stool softener can work...I used them the first few years after diagnosis...that was until I learned that constipation/hard stools were part of the rectum healing (or first flaring).

The fibre supplement is also good if you're also taking probiotics...makes the gut more "happy and balanced"...lol!

Hope you feel better soon...

quincy

currently, i'm on prednisone, but it only does so much and works rather slowly.  nothing else seems to work for me in the way of meds.  the bleeding itself has been from the inside (not just externally), and has been on and off for twenty years, but there's been no bleeding for the last two weeks.  my doctors had told me before to avoid fiber during a flare-up, but i'm not sure for how long.  i don't know what probiotics are.  thanks much. :)

Walk in any health food type store and ask for probiotics. You'll see what they are. I just started on Acidophilus & Probiotic Complex from Trader Joe's (there is a store near me) 3 days ago..and the bleeding stopped pretty quickly. Also though I started taking some Psyllium Husk Powder...but I'm going to ease back on that. It's making me more normal bulk-wise, but making it too active down there. Also I started on Hydrocortisone Enemas 3 days ago. They are not fun to do, but I need to get better. Well most of the bleeding stopped but when your doing many things at once it's hard to tell what is working. You should also avoid all lettuce, nuts, nutty types of breads for now. The roughage will agitate the colon wall more if you're flaring. I've had UC on an off for 30 years. Not a fun road is it? It certainly makes each day a new challenge.

I bought a pound back in May from www.mountainroseherbs.com for $19 but they appear to be out of stock now. I had done a google search to find it. At the rate I'm using it it looks like the pound will last close to a year.

Psyllium can help with softening stools. Some people find it harsh but I've had some benefit with it in the past. I would even mix the psyllium with probiotics and it would soften things up even more. But I guess its about what works for you.

i can add psyllium and flax oil then too. thanks much.