Constipation???

I got put back on Meds yesterday. (4 Lialda & a nightly Rowasa enema) I took the pills yesterday afternoon, and experience 2 very painful BM’s last night. I then went to bed with my enema. The pharmacy was unable to fill my prescript ion, but luckily I still had a few. I checked the date and the color, and it seemed fine.   I woke up this morning ready to get rid of what was left of the enema…. but no BM. I went all day waiting for it…. No BM. I've haid mild pain and discopmfort all day, but nothing serious. I know I shouldn’t complain about constipation, but I’m a little worried. Should I really be going from 10+ a day to 0???? SHould I worried about having the rowasa in that long?

I don't want to scare you or anything...but when I thought I was constipated, my colon had actually ruptured. Are you vomiting, bloated, or in tons of pain? If not, I'd just blame it on the meds.

Try taking a stool softener pill, it sounds like you're constipated. Yes I've experienced changing from absolute D to C the next day. First of all you've emptied your colon and then C steps in, it's the other side of the inflammation cycle. The painful BM's make me suggest the stool softener, available over the counter, on the shelf in the grocery store actually.

I would avoid fiber right now in foods, that just adds to the problem. After you get a little more regular you should take a fiber pill and then start adding soluble fiber in to your diet little by little. Drink more water than usual, that is a big help too.

If the C continues you can also use an elimination enema (as opposed to the retention mesalamine enema) to get things moving, also available OTC in most pharmacies.

Absolutely do the enemas nightly for at least 3 weeks.

q

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to know that others go from D to C very quickly.

Unfortuantely, I didn't see some of the responses last night before I went to bed. I was feeling really, really bloated and a little chilled. No fever, but my temp was a little higher than normal. I skipped the enema - BUT the plan IS for me to take them for at least 3 weeks or until bleeding stops.

I woke up feeling a bit better this morning. No BM, but I did pass a bit of gass and a little mucos. At least I'm still working down there.

Unfortuately, I think a big part of the problem is that I am not eating enough. Monday night was so bad, so I really cut back on my food yesterday. Trying to do a better job of eating today.

Thanks, Kazbern. I've done the Rowasa enemas many times before, and I don't mind them too much. I generally get some cramping immediately, but my B's never slow down. This time was a bit different. No discomfort when I put it in- it actually felt good. I guess every flare is just different.

Actually, Quincy, I generally have to taper off a bit slower. I generally do every night for 3+ weeks, then I do two weeks of every other, 2 weeks of every 2 nights, and so on. I try to get to once a week, and that works well for me.