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Will my poop get back to normal?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/8/2012 6:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've been in a flare (degree has varied) for 12 months and haven't had a "normal" formed poo in that time. Instead, I've been passing multiple thin pieces that break off and pile up at the bottom of the toilet bowl (sorry if that's TMI). I've also had random bouts of diarrhea, but no blood or mucous for months. Though, most days, I do still get the telltale bubbling noises that I only get when I'm flaring. I also still have a touch of urgency, though I can hold it in (which I can't normally do when I'm in a rough flare).

Every time I head back into remission, my poos become more and more formed until they're back to 'perfect' which is one long, well-formed stool. I'm worried that I won't get back to normal again. It's been so long now. :o(

I see two diff docs and when I asked about this a few months ago, both rushed me and didn't really seem to pay this any attention.

I'd love to hear some encouraging words like that it's just a matter of time and tweaking my meds a bit and not that my colon is permanently ruined and/or I'm stuck with this indefinitely.

My current med is 1 or 2 grams of mesagran (mesalamine granules) daily.

Thanks
Posted 11/8/2012 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
It is hard to say for sure. Mine has (pretty much) after an 18 month flare. Once the inflammation has gone, then hopefully things will return to normal for you too. It took about 6 months after I stopped seeing blood and mucus for some sense of normality to return to my bowel movements.
Posted 11/8/2012 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
I can only say that I've had 2 flares that have lasted each a full year - and after each, yes - my stools returned to somewhat normal (normal by definition of solid long, but somewhat in that they have always been softer that pre-UC due to meds I believe)
Posted 11/8/2012 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Have you tried psyllium?  I found it worked well to bulk up keep me on a schedule.  I remember being pretty gassey at first but that went away.  Mary

 

Posted 11/8/2012 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your input everyone.

Canadagal - did the spinach/sunflower help quickly? As in, could you tell it was those things that made a significant difference?

Yeah, I've tried psyllium (and even decided to give it another whirl as of yesterday) in the past to keep me flare free as I wean off meds. I had some real monsters when in remission and I used that - picture worth even. ;o) Nowadays though, it adds a bit of volume, but that's about it.
Posted 11/8/2012 12:58 PM (GMT 0)
Try adding new and different types of probiotics.

I take powdered psyllium seed mixed with VSL#3ds every other day, and take a variety of probiotics on the off days. Different probiotics seem to affect stool formation. Benebiotics brought on some improvement. Three or four capsules a day of Culturelle is my official stool solidifier but I have seen others here complain about it. Everyone is different.
Posted 11/8/2012 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
I can never get my rectal inflammation to recede enough to have a "normal" poop. And I have had this for 20 years now. No blood or mucous, but definately not normal.
Posted 11/9/2012 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
No it wasn't quickly, I tried that actually after a YEAR of flaring- was a long stubborn flare with lingering urgency and bleeding. Predinisone had failed, upping 5asa had failed... Doc was starting to talk 6mp - i did not want to go that route - convinced him to give me me mesalamine rectal enemas (he is not a fan of enemas) and i tried spinach/sunflowers at same time and probiotics. Can't recall exact details, things did turn around in weeks but never certain is one or all factors changed things.

I've now using spin/sunfl. again (plus enemas) and almost out of this 3 month flare - don't think it is a cure all. but I think it helps for some reason..
Posted 11/9/2012 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Canadagal and everyone else for your input. It's really remarkable how different UC can be for different members of this forum.
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