HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Suggestions for constipation?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/23/2012 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
I have been off of my rectal meds for 6 days. No blood but I am constipated. Not to the point of not going, but really hard stools. Any suggestions to get this to end? I thought I had increased my fiber too quickly so backed off of that. I have been drinking a ton of water but no help. Still on my orals(sulfasalazine) and folic acid as well as probiotics. Started magnesium too. I saw an ad for Colace that said it was safe for IBS would assume UC as well? Just really would rather not take anything. Looking for natural ways if possible.
Posted 10/23/2012 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
Miralax.
Posted 10/23/2012 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
"Calm" magnesium powder - it does the trick for me:

http://www.calmnatural.com/naturalcalm
Posted 10/23/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
You're still flaring...get back on the rectal meds. That's a symptom of inflammation as well.

Taking fibre supplments (starting slow), adding a stool softener (Colace), upping vitamin C (what I did), or the other suggestions...in conjunction with the rectal meds...will help ease the constipation.

q
Posted 10/23/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto that you're probably still flaring.

But the best all-natural constipation cure is prune juice, IMO.
Posted 10/23/2012 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
just hung up the docs nurse. To discover that the ulcerative procto sigmoiditis was in the rectum 25cm. She does not feel I am flaring but has a note to the doc to see about something to get things going smoother. I think I will pass on drugs go natural.
Thanks for all of your input. I appreciate you all.
Posted 10/23/2012 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
kazbern, you were right just hung up with the nurse and the doc said to use miralax. Kind of nervous about using for long term if need be. Would really like natural so I think I will try one of the other suggestions. the Dr. does not feel I am still flaring.
Posted 10/24/2012 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
You'll know soon enough if you are....

q
Posted 10/24/2012 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi prayferful1,

I also find that when I get off the rectal meds, I get constipated. What I find I need to do is eat at least 3 whole fruit per day. I have wholemeal cereal for breakfast with a heaped teaspoon of natural bran (and a drizzle of honey). I also drink about 2 lites of water per day. Obviously, when I eat dinner, I also include a decent amount of vegetables.

As soon as I slacken off this routine, my bowels slow down and then this causes issues etc.

Hope this helps:)
Posted 10/24/2012 9:37 AM (GMT 0)
Chew flaxseeds thoroughly. It is soluble fiber. Miralax is a temporary solution (and is not natural). Try stool softener side by side and do drink a lot of water. Go slow. Don't irritate recovering intestinal linings.
Posted 10/24/2012 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
what about banana or apple sauce (not the purchased kind)?
Posted 10/24/2012 11:49 AM (GMT 0)
If you want to go the herbal route, try Slippery Elm Bark
Posted 10/24/2012 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
I second the Calm Magnesium.

It will definitely unclog you.

Posted 10/24/2012 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I get constipation sometimes due to my diverticular disease, not so much from my Uc. Unless I am really uncomfortable, I try to avoid Miralax so instead I drink juiced apples. The apple juice definitely unclogs me that's for sure!
Posted 10/24/2012 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Drink more water and exercise. Exercise increases motility and will speed things along, the natural way.

Sue
Posted 10/24/2012 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
All these are good suggestions- don't be afraid of a laxative, sometime you just need some help! I find Milk of Magnesia to be awesome too, & fairly "natural"- it's just magnesium hydroxide. Both that, & Miralax are really gentle. Plus tons of water!
Posted 10/24/2012 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
thank you all for the great ideas. I believe I am done calling the gi for help. First thing they said was miralax. As they do not want me straining to go. seriously!!!!! Even called it in to the pharmacy incase it is covered by insurance.I do not know about you but I would think a dr. would use that as a last resort. As I am going just straining to go. I was wondering if it is not from the diverticulosis as well.
So for now food and drink will be my go to. And magnesium backup.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply