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does stool softener positively affect UC?

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Posted 2/7/2010 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
does stool softener positively affect UC?

will it decrease friction along the digestive walls, thereby decreasing bleeding?

Posted 2/7/2010 6:17 AM (GMT 0)
it won't make your UC flare worse or better....
Posted 2/7/2010 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
The last thing I needed when I was flaring was softer poop. It was pretty much just liquid. Now that I'm in remission, my poops are still pretty soft. I drink a LOT of water and eat a pretty high fiber diet, though.
Posted 2/7/2010 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
my theory is that harder stool is more abrasive on digestive ulcers, thus incurring bleeds. i'm not absolutely sure though. i'd rather have diarhea than blood. what's the least abrasive diet?
Posted 2/7/2010 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
liquid....i would think....but you're in a drastically different category than we are.


Regarding"ulcers" in UC....the lining is very fragile and bleeds easily and there are millions of "ulcerations" like pimples or a rash so to say. The "ulcers", actually, are separate that go deeper into the submucosa layer and are usually singular.



q
Posted 2/7/2010 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
     Instead of a stool softener, did you ever try taking flaxseed oil pills?  My friend swears by them, she said they "cured" her UC, but we all know that is impossible.  What it does though is coat the lining of the digestive tract so everything passes more smoothly.  Worth a shot I would say.  I take one flaxseed oil pill a day instead of the three only because I don't need softer poop but I believe it is good for heart health and I have high blood pressure.

     Why do you say you have an 80% chance of colon cancer and 20% chance of mortality?  Where did you get that??

     I have had ulcerative proctitis for over eleven years.  My doctor did say that after ten years he suggests getting yearly colonoscopies for preventive messures.  I am scheduled for a colonoscopy March 12th.  I did have one scheduled for last Tuesday but I am flaring and back on prednisone and he will not do a colonoscopy if his patient is on prednisone.  He said too risky for perforating the colon.  Apparently, prednisone thins out the lining of the colon and risk of infection is high too.

 

Posted 2/7/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, the oil (flax/fish) capsules would make things nice and slippery...

q
Posted 2/8/2010 3:58 AM (GMT 0)

Christine1946 said...
Why do you say you have an 80% chance of colon cancer and 20% chance of mortality?  Where did you get that?? 

multiple gastroenterologists have told me that one out of five people die with UC at the 20 year point of the illness.  and the risk of cancer is 80% at 20 years also.
Posted 2/8/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Yeah, the oil (flax/fish) capsules would make things nice and slippery...

q

thanks much.  i'd have to look into the cost factor.
Posted 2/8/2010 4:01 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
liquid....i would think....but you're in a drastically different category than we are.

Regarding"ulcers" in UC....the lining is very fragile and bleeds easily and there are millions of "ulcerations" like pimples or a rash so to say.  The "ulcers", actually, are separate that go deeper into the submucosa layer and are usually singular. 

q

i'm not too familiar with the differences.  i'm just assuming the excessive friction is excessive friction.  it's my interpretation that liquidity is actually safer than rigidity, even though it may feel less confortable.
Posted 2/8/2010 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Deaths from UC would probably be due to poor management of treatment, low compliance or non-proactive care, toxic mega colon, severe infection of ingested cause or possible med complications.

Regarding cancer....everyone has a risk I suppose, and consistent inflammation in the colon can up the ante. Mine's up because of UC-related liver disease.
I've not heard the doc say after 20 years, but depending on when one was diagnosed, 20 years can just move one up into the age group of many colon cancers.

5-ASA meds are believed to help protect the colon from cancer....I intend to stay on it forever. Ongoing inflammation for me has been almost nil and flares have been minimal.

Statistics don't really mean anything since we all don't know which category we will fall into.

Regular c-scopes are a must.....times between vary depending on doctors, patient symptoms and risk factors.

quincy
Posted 2/8/2010 8:03 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...

5-ASA meds are believed to help protect the colon from cancer....I intend to stay on it forever. Ongoing inflammation for me has been almost nil and flares have been minimal.

quincy

what are 5-ASA meds?  i'm currently taking Asacol.  is that a 5-ASA med?
Posted 2/8/2010 8:50 AM (GMT 0)
yes... So, basically they come in oral and rectal (liquid, foam, suppositories...depending on what country one is residing).

Do a search on all the different brands and forms of what brand they're available in.

q
Posted 2/8/2010 10:41 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
yes... So, basically they come in oral and rectal (liquid, foam, suppositories...depending on what country one is residing).

Do a search on all the different brands and forms of what brand they're available in.

q

okay, thanks.  i don't know the differences between drug classifications.
Posted 2/8/2010 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
     Well geez, if multiple gastro doctors gave you those statistics that is going to scare the beJesus out of most of the people in here who were diagnosed with UC in their mid to late teens...that just SUCKS!!!  At least I was 52 when diagnosed.  My doctors all seem more concerned that all I take for my osteoporosis is Calcium with D than they do my issues with UP.  My family doctor keeps telling me if I fall I am doomed.  Well, I already fell over four years ago and suffered a compressed fracture of the lumbar spine.  It was pretty painful, but I am not suffering from that as I am suffering from the UP.  The meds for osteoporosis gave me terrible upper gastric distress.  I already have ulcers in my rectum and don't need them in my esophagus.
Posted 2/8/2010 7:26 PM (GMT 0)

Christine1946 said...
     Well geez, if multiple gastro doctors gave you those statistics that is going to scare the beJesus out of most of the people in here who were diagnosed with UC in their mid to late teens...that just SUCKS!!!

that's what four unrelated gastroenterologists have told me.  i'm hoping for the best, yet trying to stay practical.
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