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Flairing bad, Constipation

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Posted 6/22/2010 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
I've been flairing for about 3 weeks now. This is my first one and it really has me out. I can't work, its unbearable. They put me on Sulfazine, it seemed to give me some relief here and there. I was passing small peaces, while nothing solid it was better than nothing. The last 2 days have my stomach in knots, I feel the urge to use the toilet and when I do all I get is an initial bloody liquid then it feels like i'm trying to push through something the size of a BB. It feels dry and it makes my stomach cramp really bad. Can anyone help?
Posted 6/22/2010 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ask for some enemas. It sounds like your inflammation is low. Rowasa or maybe a steroid, I guess it depends on what you're comfortable with and what your GI says. But definitely give them a shot.
Posted 6/22/2010 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely, I would think enemas might help a lot......they put the medication right at the source of the inflammation.
I have not taken an anti-spasmodic but you might ask your doc for that, too, for the spasming (Bentyl is one).
And, it just wouldn't be me if I didn't say that Metamucil helps me with that low spasming/tring to pass issue. It bulks up the poop and helps prevent that involuntary straining thing for me. (I would start with a small dose for a week and then increase... Metamucil capsules, probably, or Benefiber, also much recommended by my son's GI...)
Posted 6/22/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
The urge to go and nothing much happening when you do is called "tenesmus", a well-known symptom of UC which sucks. You may/may not be constipated, that is a separate issue.

My symptoms have been put into remission with diet modification. It's a simple thing to try eliminating bread/gluten from your diet for a week and see if there is any improvement.

What meds are you taking? Mesalamine enemas helps bleeding in the lower part. I was also diagnosed with left-sided as my last diag. as it moved up from lower parts.
Posted 6/22/2010 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, Steve....rectal meds will become your new best friend!!

When I'm flaring, I have such horrific white knuckling bms, I'm whimpering and sweating and breathing like I'm giving birth from my butt, something the size of a watermelon, but it turns out to be a teensy weensy turd the size of a peanut. OMG!

Rectal meds....yeahsteve....rectal meds.

And the suggestion of an antispasmodic...I use dicyclomine. My second best friend....

Yep....humbling, aint it?

q
Posted 6/23/2010 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on folic acid and Sulfazine right now. I'm not liking the side effects of Sulfazine. Nausea, lack of appetite and more recently blurred vision. I've been on it for a week and few days and it doesn't seem to be doing much other than make me more miserable. I have a GI appt. friday and I'm gonna ask about rectal meds. They seem to work for a lot of you so what do I have to lose?
Posted 6/23/2010 6:29 AM (GMT 0)
What if you asked the doc for Asacol. If you're not liking how you feel on the sulfasalazine...request a change rather than the doc saying....wait and see.

Regarding the rectal meds....say you'd like to try the retention enemas firstly. Some do use the suppositories, to me it's not enough...they're good for maintenance or supplementing tapering or treatment with the enemas.


Oh, is your UC throughout or limited?

The blurred vision could also be stress or age related changes. You should have your eyes checked anyway....just to make sure nothing else is going on.
Eye drops such as Systane helps me sometimes for blurriness.

q
Posted 6/23/2010 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Quincy...
"When I'm flaring, I have such horrific white knuckling bms, I'm whimpering and sweating and breathing like I'm giving birth from my butt, something the size of a watermelon, but it turns out to be a teensy weensy turd the size of a peanut. OMG!"

That is exactly how I described like giving birth, well what I imagine it woudl feel like and the sweating and OMG, good to hear I'm not the only one!

Jeff AUD
Posted 6/23/2010 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
I would also ask about Asacol.

Yeah during flares my bm's are really bad. I grab a rolled up towel off the rack by the toilet and hug it because my stomach cramps so bad and I need support. Dunno why the towel helps so much. I'm tough though lol
Posted 6/23/2010 6:56 PM (GMT 0)
LOL..you're not the only one for sure.
When I mentioned I had "white-knucklers" to my GI, he shook his head in bewilderment and asked what that was. I clenched my fists, screwed up my face, beared down and whimpered....he commented..OH...LOL! I said I left out the sweating, tears and crying...haha.

I've never given birth, but can imagine it rivals it, except for the time factor.

EP...I can see the towel working....it's support, makes sense.

q
Posted 6/23/2010 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Even though I feel constipated at times like these that you've described with lots of pain, cramps, spasms and nothing coming out or just a little pea, I take 2 imodiums to stop the spasms so a stool can pass. I didn't find that until recently and it's been a huge relief of pain for me. It works for me, what can I say? The bentyl and anti-spasmodics didn't do a thing for moi. I think rectal meds are great too, now if I would just be a good girl and use mine!!!! I put my head on the pillow, contemplate it and next thing I know, it is morning!
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