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Laying on your left side

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/11/2007 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone else had this same problem. My stomach/bowels always seem to get moving when I lay on my left side. This is especially the case when I am flaring and trying to do an enema at night. My UC is primarily located on my left side which would explain this, but I was just curious if anyone else experiences this. This may sound like it's not a big issue (just turn over right?), but it's so hard to get comfortable sometimes when you know what will start to happen when to lay the other way.
Posted 12/11/2007 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't layed on my left side in 3 years..
Posted 12/11/2007 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I can definatley relate to that...

I try to sleep flat on my back nowdays and it seems to slow the bowel movements at night.

G
Posted 12/11/2007 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm the opposite. I find more comfort by laying on my left side then my right. For some reason if I lay on my right, it feels like something is pulling on my left from gravity which is uncomfortable.
Posted 12/11/2007 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I also found that sleeping on my right side was far better when I'm flaring! It's kind of annoying when you're supposed to lie on your left side for better absorption of enemas to the left side, but I'd rather lay on my right for a while until my intestines seem to have calmed down. (My UC is also on the lower left)

It's the strangest thing. I swear if I just switch to my left for a second -- boom, my insides start churning.

When I'm not flaring, either side is fine.
Posted 12/11/2007 11:23 PM (GMT 0)

I can't say that I have noticed a difference, but it makes sense. Your left side is usually the area of the colon that flares first. At least it is for me.

I can remember a bad flare I had about 12 years ago where I was on the can, and I'd think that my "evacuation" was complete, and as soon as I'd stand up, I'd get my pants back on and suddenly, I was locked and loaded to go again, and with urgency. IT's like when i sat down, I crimped my colon like a hose, and when I stood up, it uncrimped. Pretty crazy.

Posted 12/12/2007 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, sometimes I can't stand to sleep on my left side.  It can be so hard to get comfortable!!

Posted 12/12/2007 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, indeed-- it can be unbearable to put weight on the left side when UC inflammation is bad. As your med kicks in, this will become less of a problem, so hang in there! / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC; currently on 3 Colazal daily; seem to be back in remission)

Posted 12/13/2007 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
I can totally relate. I usually sleep on my left side but when I am flaring I have to sleep on my back. Almost with out fail, turning onto my side will be followed by waking up and heading to the toilet.
Posted 12/13/2007 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
Red, are you left-handed?

:)
Posted 12/13/2007 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
I'm left handed.  I heard that there are more left handed people than right with UC, don't know if it's a myth or not.

Posted 12/13/2007 5:13 AM (GMT 0)

princesscolon said...
I'm left handed.  I heard that there are more left handed people than right with UC, don't know if it's a myth or not.

Hey!  I'm left handed too!!    hmmmmmmmmmm...very interesting!


Posted 12/13/2007 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
im the same.. better to just lay on your back and NOT MOVE at all for the night LOL.
Posted 12/13/2007 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, I'm a righty. My mom who had CD was a lefty though.
Posted 12/13/2007 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Huh...I thought maybe because of the uncomfortable pulling feeling you said you get that maybe it was because you were a lefty...so much for my shot in the dark eh.

:)
Posted 12/17/2007 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Weird....I'm left handed too. As for sleeping on left side, yes...I've found it to be fairly uncomfortable. Problem is, I'm 21 wks pregnant and it's recommended that pregnant women sleep on their left side, and never on their back. So I spend most nights shifting from one side to the other...
Posted 1/18/2015 8:59 AM (GMT 0)
I've also noticed that laying on my right side doesn't exacerbate my symptoms, but laying on my left or sometimes even on my back (if it's not elevated at least 30 degrees) can make the discomfort worse.
Posted 1/18/2015 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
This is a pretty old thread but no, I see no diff. Welcome to the forum Rallph, but I just read your sig, be careful what you ask for, don't taunt this bugger! ;/)
Posted 1/18/2015 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
My UC is on the left, but I find when I am having a flare-up, lying on either side is uncomfortable and can start the pain. Lying flat on my back with straight legs really helps settle things down though. Unfortunately I find it harder to sleep on my back, as I always sleep on my side in remission.
Posted 1/19/2015 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
I can go all day without farting, but as soon as I lay on my left side - and I'm talking within 10 seconds - a fart-fest always ensues.
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