Constipation with UC

Does anyone have advice for constipation? I am doing well with my meds where I am not going more than twice a day. But when I do have a bm it is a long painfull process the stool is in small broken piecies . I think the constipation and is really the cause of my flares now. I was in remission for two years than started having constipation, than small redness in the stool. The more I forced the BM the more bleeding I would have. Looking back my diet was high in starches and low in veggies and not allot of water. Would rectal meds help?

Before I was diagnoseed, I was in a bad flare, thought it might be hemmoroids, so I started taking lots of fiber. Then I got constipated because I wasn't drinking enough water. I would try drinking tons of water and maybe eating some fiber one cereal. It is good stuff that will help you go. Good luck, feel better.

I am also a sufferer of constipation!! Although I go every day <only once> it is very hard and like pebble poop. Recently found out that all my right sided pain is caused from a build up of poo.. I didn't know I could be pooing every day and still be considered constipated. Since I found this out.. I have increased my water intake which seems to be helping.. but I hate waking up on the night to pee !!! I have also been trying to eat more fiber rich foods. :O) I am trying to avoid supplements so we'll see how it goes.

good luck !!

It is good to hear others with UC are constipated as well. I was beginning to think that I was the only one. I try to drink plenty of fluids, and eat a high fiber diet, plus I take either Metamucil caps or Myralax mixed in with fruit juice. The Myralax doesn't cause as much gas and bloating in me, but everyone is different. I'm not sure what you do for work, but I do a lot of physical labor, so I end up being dehydrated a lot, which leads to my constipation at times. Exercise also helps to move things around. Hope this helps, and thanks for addressing something I was too timid to bring up. Oh yeah, quincy is right about treating UC from both ends.

Agree on the steamed veggies.
Lots of vitamin C gets things moving.  I have a powder form electrolyte/mineral/vitamin supplement I take.  but 5000-10000 IU of Vit C and lots of water works really well.  Then after things are moving again.  I hand grind flax seed and mix a couple Tbsp in some cereal or yogurt 2x a day.  That's been helping on multiple levels. 

Remember, it's more than likely low in the rectum inflammation....the colon heals from top to bottom, flares from bottom to top.

But, a looser stool is much easier to go through an inflamed butt....

All the above suggestions are great...I personally found the vitamin C increase most useful...I used a powder form (without sweeteners)..worked like a charm.

quincy

I was thinking about trying out the metamucil method.. but was looking at the drug store and there are SO many different ones to choose from ! What is the best.. the powder or capsules???

I would say a fiber supplement, rectal meds, extra water, and extra exercise, if possible.

Thanks for the advice everyone. The increased water seems to be helping. I bought the Metamucil wafers they are easy to swallow also I am making sure to have some fruit and salad every day. I picked up some of that probiotic yogurt also, I figure it can't hurt. I will be talking to the GI about rectal meds on 8-5-08. I don't know what I would do without this site.

I am on 40mg of Pred for two and a half weeks now. I really want off because I can't sleep and it depresses me. It is weird the last time I took it I was more euphoric. I have been on ASOCAL for about a month and a half. It really does not seam to do much for me but I am still taking it. I have UC of the lower colon I tried masalamine enemas a few years ago but they did not really do anything ether. I am hoping the fiber will make things easier.

Hi Quincy and Everyone else,

I have never heard of SASA before. What exactly i it? Also my day one with the fiber increase went well. I can say my bm was less painfull. Do you think it is smarter for me to take the metamucil wafer later in the day about 4pm after I get home from work so I don't spend the work day in the restroom.

So here is how my food routine is ending up. I have been doing a breakfast of oatmeal, yogurt(now yoplait with fiber and probiotics) lunch is protein like chicken or a deli meat sandwich, grains like pasta or wheat bread, grape juice(equal to two fruit servings). Dinner a huge salad(love spinach) with protein. I also have snacks like popcorn, cereal bar, some sweets and I just brought some fresh fruit to add to it. I find I have to eat a little all day long the prednisone makes me hungry. I am trying to watch the sodium though to avid the bloating. The last time I had a bloated chest and moonface.

I do not know what I would have done with all of your great tips. It helps to know that I am not alone with this since this illness can be so personal and hard to speak about.

Hi...5-ASA medications include mesalamine, mesalazine, osalazine... (Asacol, Colazal, Pentasa, Dipentum, Salofalk, Rowasa, Canasa...etc). Sulfasalazine is the original UC medication with 5ASA in it .... eventually, the mesalamine was separated unto itself and a special coating was used to get it to the colon instead of using the sulfa...the first result was Asacol.

for some popcorn can be a problem...for me it's not at all. I dont have it during the day unless I'm at the movies..lol! Chewing it well helps. I never have microwave popcorn...it's all crapola. Air-popped is much better. By keeping the popcorn in a glass jar in the freezer makes for better popping with less harsh hulls...

There are also popcorn twists available.....higher in fat and salt, but maybe a few would be an OK snack.

This is what I'd change about your diet at this point if it were me (because that's what I found out what worked well for )....no oatmeal or high fibre cereal with milk products in the morning...have an egg and toast instead. Cut the juice with water. (I don't drink juice because it hurts my stomach..if I were to have it, it'd be in the evening cut with water)
Save anything that'll give you gas for evening or late afternoon because it'll hit about 3 or more hours after you eat it.

I think experiment with cereal bars or protein bars might be better...a half rather than a full one. Again, they give me LOTS of discomfort, it's not something I eat, but experiment. Make sure you have enough water with them.

Thanks for the kind words...when I was working I definitely kept my eating pretty basic, no high fibre during the day and I never snacked on the junk stuff.

The fibre wafers in the evening after your supper might be a good idea to help with the next day's bms.

As you get used to them, then you'll probably be able to add or divide the amount you eat throughout the day. As your flare lessens, your eating will change as you feel better.

Hope this helps...experiment and you'll find what works for you and has you more satisfied.

Keep us updated.
quincy