Laxatives and UC

Ive been on a flare since December, ive been taking my meds regularly now, but,once i start feeing better and the freqency to go all the time subsides i find myself in an almost panic because im not going 12+ times a day, since this has become my norm...So i find myself taking laxatives. Im in the medical field so i understand all the negative affects this can cause. So im not looking for a lecture just wondering, does anyone else get this way? How do you deal with it?

Rectal inflammation is caused by your flare improving at this point. You need to be on rectal retention medication...I'd suggest initially to use mesalamine retention enemas.

The repercussions of laxatives will cause you great problems if you continue to use them. Lazy gut to possibly megacolon is a huge freaky one.

Get on some fibre supplements, starting slower. Ask the doc for some antispasmodics....they will calm down the spasming....it'll help even out the peristalsis.
The fibre supplements will help EXERCISE the digestive tract..mainly the colon. It will help maintain a good peristalsis and pattern for pooing.

You're tapering off the prednisone and will have ups and downs. This is the time to get on rectal meds.

Not that I'm a broken record, but you obviously don't yet know the value of them or you'd be on them.

Since UC heals up to downward, symptoms will change. It will also change how your colon functions. The main part is to not let your rectum forget how to function.

Being in the medical field doesn't matter....it's what you actually understand that does.

How are you eating? normally? less food?....low fibre?...

q

Sounds like a tinge of an eating disorder, Vixen, where you have become somewhat obsessed with the feeling of an empty bowel and a full bowel puts you into high anxiety. Time to talk to a counselor IMO. Maybe it's the pred making your so anxious. I'd try to speed up that taper.

I do understand how changes from a perceived normality can induce stress. But you seem well aware that your feelings on this particular issue are irrational. We need not act on irrational feelings. If you are compelled to take laxatives to address your anxiety about this, you need to see a counselor.

this is not a good idea. laxatives totally aggravate your colon. i'm pretty sure laxatives (among other things) caused my u.c.

i know what you mean though, i was going up to 30x a day. when i started remicade, i was only going once a day. i was SO backed up that i would only eat once a day because nothing was coming out. it leveled off eventually and now i go 4-5 x a day. i was tempted as well to take laxatives but i knew it wasn't worth it. not eating a lot is much easier.

Quincy - Can you talk more about "rectal meds?" So far, my doctor just has me on Balsalacide, 3 capsules, 3Xday. Regarding laxatives - I was going through a bad flare up (watery, mucosy bowel movements with much blood 5 or six times a day). I followed my doctor's (and everyone on the forum) advice and changed my diet. Right now I'm eating basically just fish and rice. Well, my symptoms seem to have disappeared because now I'm completely backed up. Haven't had a BM in about a week. My doc sugguests Citrucel which I will try. But he was adamantly against any other kind of laxative.

tchrmgr....add more foods into your diet such as fruit, salads (small amounts) other meats, maybe brown rice, quinoa to start adding more bulk. I've never used citrucel, I'd initially suggest metamucil (I use capsules), have one with each meal and then increase gradually. Drink water, maybe add coffee.

Are you taking any other supplements?

Rectal meds are topical, either 5ASA (mesalamine) or steroid, both come in retention enema or suppositories.

You need to deal with the rectal inflammation...coming out of a flare will cause you different symptoms, and foods adjusted can help with the stool consistency/shape/regulate bms, etc.

It takes time to understand it all....experience is the teacher.

q