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Constipation Blues in A Minor

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Posted 3/13/2011 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Anybody have experience with Prednisone-related constipation? I've been on it for about a week and the UC symptoms are way less than they were. However, the turds just ain't cooperating. I assume laxatives will be my friend in a few more days. I gotta read the fine print on my prescriptions..."In isolated instances, patients on Prednisone may experience total hair loss and will never poop again."
Posted 3/13/2011 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
haha, very creative topic. I rarely ever deal with consipation. Have you tried using any OTC product to relieve the constipation?
Posted 3/13/2011 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely creative!   I'll continue to sing the accolades of rectal meds...It's the inflammation in the rectum, and they will help.

q
Posted 3/13/2011 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Not yet on the OTC stuff...gonna give it a tad bit longer. I'm kinda burnt out on all the meds I am already on.

Posted 3/13/2011 11:05 PM (GMT 0)

Mammatus said...
Anybody have experience with Prednisone-related constipation? I've been on it for about a week and the UC symptoms are way less than they were. However, the turds just ain't cooperating. I assume laxatives will be my friend in a few more days. I gotta read the fine print on my prescriptions..."In isolated instances, patients on Prednisone may experience total hair loss and will never poop again."

My current flare began 6 weeks ago with constipation. I've been on 40mg prednisone per day for the past 10 days. As with you, my UC symptoms are way less, but still no bowel movement. Enemas have been suggested here and elsewhere, so I'm going to ask the doctor about enemas tomorrow or Tuesday. If the feces has become impacted, then will regular enemas be able to slowly erode it and eventually wash it out? If not impacted then what about mineral oil as a lubricant or just a stool softener?

Anyway, I'm not going to use any OTC laxative stuff without doing more research and consulting with a doctor, as I think that my use of them (ex lax) a few weeks ago might have been a significant precursor to the actual UC flare which began about 2 1/2 weeks after the onset of the constipation.
Posted 3/14/2011 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
johnnymg..The enemas are not to cause a bm, they're to heal the inflammation which will eventually have your colon and rectum funtioning better. It doesn't erode out the stool, and it's probably not impacted. It's just much slower.

Are you eating actual food? Adding some fibre supplements, drinking enough liquids, etc.

Probiotics are a good thing to take as well.

The x-lax wouldn't have caused your flare. but they may have caused a temporary extra laziness of your colon.

The fibre supplements...start low dosage...will help get your colon working better as well.

q
Posted 3/14/2011 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
Do what you can to stay away from laxatives, Miralax. Your constipation may flip to D. Inflamed rectum is holding things back, I believe. Good luck!
Posted 3/16/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
johnnymg..The enemas are not to cause a bm, they're to heal the inflammation which will eventually have your colon and rectum funtioning better. It doesn't erode out the stool, and it's probably not impacted. It's just much slower.

Are you eating actual food? Adding some fibre supplements, drinking enough liquids, etc.

Probiotics are a good thing to take as well.

The x-lax wouldn't have caused your flare. but they may have caused a temporary extra laziness of your colon.

The fibre supplements...start low dosage...will help get your colon working better as well.

q

Thanks quincy. Info noted. Yes I'm eating small quantities of boiled potatoes and carrots, applesauce, baked fish and white bread. Drinking more liquid than normal while at the same time not exercising but still my mouth feels dry frequently. Another question: what about prune juice?

Fiber scares me because of anticipated pain, but I'll try small levels of it with breakfast when I take the prednisone. Will check out probiotics.

I think you must be right that whatever feces is in there isn't actually 'impacted', because several hours after eating a rather large quantity of cornbread and margarine today I had a most uncomfortable diarrhea bm. But at least it was an actual bm. That's been the only one in the past week. Otherwise just reddish brown water, with occasional blood and mucous clots -- and perpetual distension/bloat which quickly increases whenever I eat the least little thing.
Posted 3/16/2011 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Eating will trigger peristalsis and with an inflamed gut, whatever is in there will be rushed out.
It doesn't have time to sit in the colon very long. But, what you eat won't be out in a few hours.

I would pass on the prune juice actually...you don't need anything to encourage more bms or to cause more bloat.

it's the inflammation....you're flaring...

The dry mouth is from the pred I would think.

When I was flaring badly..I had no actual bms..it was just pure blooddy diarrhea for months..I can relate.

Your doctor should,however, prescribe you some antispasmodics. I use dicyclimine (Bentylol in Canada, Bentyl in the US). I started with 10mg...worked like a charm. I've since graduated to 20mg..lol.

If you can have eggs, have one in the morning for breakfast with some toast. If you're considering fibre, just take one capsule of Metamucil with that meal and see how you do. That's how I started.

The cornbread...sounds yummy, but others would disagree. I would expect that if I were flaring that cornbread might come out looking as it went in. That's probably because I'd eat a lot of it too. would it concern me? no....but I'd probably save eating it for the evening rather than the day.

You do need to get on rectal meds....

q
Posted 3/17/2011 12:58 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Eating will trigger peristalsis and with an inflamed gut, whatever is in there will be rushed out.
It doesn't have time to sit in the colon very long. But, what you eat won't be out in a few hours.

Thanks. Your experience and info is most helpful. This is exactly what's happening with me now. So, apparently, I'm no longer constipated. What a relief! Hopefully, my rather long term prednisone schedule (9 weeks, starting Mar 10 on 40mg pred/day) won't produce constipation down the road.

quincy said...
I would pass on the prune juice actually...you don't need anything to encourage more bms or to cause more bloat.

it's the inflammation....you're flaring...

The dry mouth is from the pred I would think.

When I was flaring badly..I had no actual bms..it was just pure blooddy diarrhea for months..I can relate.

All noted. Lessened dry mouth today. Slowly healing I guess, plus drinking more water. Will happily pass on prune juice.

quincy said...
Your doctor should,however, prescribe you some antispasmodics. I use dicyclimine (Bentylol in Canada, Bentyl in the US). I started with 10mg...worked like a charm. I've since graduated to 20mg..lol.

Ok, will check this out on my next visit.

quincy said...
If you can have eggs, have one in the morning for breakfast with some toast. If you're considering fibre, just take one capsule of Metamucil with that meal and see how you do. That's how I started.

I love eggs. Actually, I have no particular intolerances or allergies that I know of. What about gas? But should be ok (without butter or margarine) in next few days if my slow progress continues. And a bit of psyllium fiber.

quincy said...
The cornbread...sounds yummy, but others would disagree. I would expect that if I were flaring that cornbread might come out looking as it went in. That's probably because I'd eat a lot of it too. would it concern me? no....but I'd probably save eating it for the evening rather than the day.

The cornbread (with lots of margarine) was quite yummy. And a few hours later I paid for it. :-) The second 'dump' after the initial diarrhea did sort of resemble cornbread. I'm still afraid of cornbread.

quincy said...
You do need to get on rectal meds....

Noted for next visit. Thanks again.

Post Edited (johnnymg) : 3/16/2011 7:02:18 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 3/17/2011 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
Keep us posted how you're doing.

While on pred, I would think you'll have ups and downs.

I now have a craving for cornmuffins..lol. I like Becel and honey...right out of the oven or heated up.

Do the reading on the forum regarding food experiences. The opinions vary greatly.
Some of what others eat, I never would...but it's very subjective regarding taste, culture, location, etc.

I wouldn't be afraid of food...maybe smaller amounts of your favourites won't cause you discomfort. My excuse..it'll be out anyway. So worth it going in. But for pure comfort...I was fussy. Made sure enough protein and as much balance as possible (with treats of course!)

Keep us posted how you're doing.



q

Posted 3/17/2011 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
mammatus...how are you doing today?

q
Posted 3/17/2011 9:43 AM (GMT 0)
Quincy, I see and read on almost all your posts that you are huge fan of rectal meds, and I am not against them, but there's other natural ways of relieving the constipation we should probably try before we start compacting even more "stuff" up our rear ends, also changing the PH balance of what's going on in there, too.

Mammatus, I too, am on now tapering down from 40 to 35 mg of Prednisone, and I have occasional dry mouth, definitely less frequent bowel movements (which you should be enjoying, don't worry, that stuff WILL come out eventually) and sometimes constipation like pain after eating. Remember, small meals during a constipation phase will help, and lots and lots of good ole' fashioned water to help with the hydration.
Posted 3/17/2011 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
Do what works for you....I've never been on pred, however. Yes, I consider that a plus.  What is the ph of the rectum supposed to be by the way?

I'm not talking constipation other than flare....usually.  Have you noticed how many don't recognise that as part of the UC problem?
q

Posted 3/18/2011 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
I'm doing well. Have gone to the bathroom several times and have stopped being paranoid that I'd never have a normal BM again. I have 2 weeks to go on the Prednisone. I am hopeful that once off it I can stay in remission or close enough to it to be not so unpleasant. We shall see.
Posted 3/18/2011 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Well, you now have knowledge of some options available to you. It would be good for you to give the rectal meds a fair try rather than using the prednisone as your means for treatment.

Hope your taper goes smoothly and your symptoms remain acquiesced.

q

Posted 3/18/2011 7:49 AM (GMT 0)

Mammatus said...
I'm doing well. Have gone to the bathroom several times and have stopped being paranoid that I'd never have a normal BM again. I have 2 weeks to go on the Prednisone. I am hopeful that once off it I can stay in remission or close enough to it to be not so unpleasant. We shall see.

Glad to hear you're improving. For me, constipation was scarier than diarrhea.
Posted 3/18/2011 8:07 AM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
Keep us posted how you're doing.

While on pred, I would think you'll have ups and downs.

I now have a craving for cornmuffins..lol. I like Becel and honey...right out of the oven or heated up.

Do the reading on the forum regarding food experiences. The opinions vary greatly.
Some of what others eat, I never would...but it's very subjective regarding taste, culture, location, etc.

I wouldn't be afraid of food...maybe smaller amounts of your favourites won't cause you discomfort. My excuse..it'll be out anyway. So worth it going in. But for pure comfort...I was fussy. Made sure enough protein and as much balance as possible (with treats of course!)


Keep us posted how you're doing.

q

Thanks quincy. Improving slowly. And you? I had a craving for a Milky Way Dark today, so I ate one. No bad reaction, but will eat more of the right kind of stuff tomorrow so I don't get as hungry later in the day. Larger portion of fish tomorrow. Am having banana and applesauce snack now which I haven't been able to do at this time of day (4am) since the onset of the flare.

On to reading about the food experiences. Thanks again.
Posted 3/18/2011 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
I craved cornmuffins..thanks...so made a dozen. Throughout yesterday I ate 7..lol. with blackberry jelly the first 3...honey the last 4, nice and warmed up in the small oven.

I'll pass on the dark chocolate Milky way and the banana... ;-) ..but it's certainly good to eat balanced otherwise.

I haven't had my cornmeal poo yet...lol...I expect it to be much looser. but worth it..lol.

Have a feeling-good day!
q
Posted 3/18/2011 6:42 PM (GMT 0)
Yea..I am hopeful all will go well. As I am a hyprochonriac (every skin blemish must be a tumor and every sensation of bloating must be leading to abdominal rupture and septic shock)...this should be an interesting ride.
Posted 3/19/2011 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
it is an interesting ride...experience is a good teacher.

q
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