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Anyone Have Bad Gas Build-up first thing in Morning?

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Posted 7/19/2009 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone else have bad gas first thing in the morning and experience bathroom urgency? I typically have 3-4 bathroom trips with urgency before I even get ready to leave for work and most of the time, it is just expelling a lot of gas.

I also stop food and drinks early in the night before bed because if I have to go pee in the middle of the night, my gut retaliates in like a Pavlov's response - in other words, the moment my butt hits the seat to pee, my gut decides to wake up, making it hard to get back to bed ...

Anyone have any suggestions on how to cut down on the gas build-up? I've tried taking Gas-X before bed time and it doesn't really help.
Posted 7/19/2009 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
If you have that much gas and urgency, you're clearly flaring....are you on any meds RH?

Do not choose imodium as a help on this matter...save it for an event where you actually aren't near a toilet or cannot get to a bathroom...

quincy
Posted 7/19/2009 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
I may be flaring and asked my doc about it ... he thinks I am coming out of one ... I don't know ....

Once the gas is out of my system, so to speak, the rest of the day is pretty good - no blood, no mucus, no real sense of urgency to go, formed (if a little soft) bms ... just that 2-3 hour window first thing in the morning ... which is why the doc doesn't think I am really flaring. It's a bit confusing.

I am taking Lialda right now 2.4 g once a day ...
Posted 7/19/2009 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Adam - you and I have been prescribed Imodium to take as needed up to the recommended doseage on bottle.  Some do not agree and their doctors also do not agree.  As long as we are realistic that it is not curing anything.  BUT - it sure helps those spasms and urgency.  I always take mine after my BM's in morning - at least two of them so nothing "backs up" or could cause megacolon.  Both my gastro doctors (even the one with 30 years experience) said Imodium and Pepto bismal for nausea are ok if used cautiously as prescribed.  That is important.

ElaineNY

Posted 7/19/2009 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
RH...a 3 hour window means you're flaring....very mild, and should be intervened with using rectal meds. Has the doc not even suggested them to you at all?

You could also start to use a fibre supplement to bulk up the stool a bit.



Adam....imodium overuse leads to a lazy colon, and it can give the UCer a false sense of "things are good because I can function" causing SOME to ignore the fact that they're flaring and not finding the need to use some meds.

Yes, save it for a time one needs it.....imodium has its place, but not necessarily during a flare. Worse yet when a doctor doesn't even believe a patient is flaring...that's just stupid and very confusing.


I again stress rectal meds...!!!
q
Posted 7/19/2009 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
I usually run the water when I go to the bathroom on my first trip because sometimes the gas sounds are loud. I think it has to do with the suppositories I use before bed becuase there is noise and then some of it comes out. Usually I have a BM 20 minutes later and after that, no gas, & no more BMs until the next morning.

When I was flaring badly I would have to get up in the night to use the toilet. Sometimes repeatedly. It was awful!

Posted 7/20/2009 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
It seems like some people advocate rectal meds for everything, but I don't believe they are the answer to every one of our problems. I take 3 simethecone tablets before bed and they really help with stemming the morning gas problems. You can buy them at any supermarket or drug store. My GI told me I can take as many as I need during the day. Taking them at bedtime, has been great.

It is always important to talk to your doctor and follow their advice. No one on this forum is a
GI and we can only tell you what has helped our individual problems. It just seems some people have gotten a bit carried away prescribing what to use when problems arise.

These tablets are inexpesive and for my particular case, I have seen improvement...
Posted 7/20/2009 8:03 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe adding a probiotic in woudld help a lot, too. My DH's gas has gotten really foul in the past couple of months. I just started "making" him take probiotics, and I'm sincerely hoping they help!
Posted 7/20/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)

Oh, Nor_TX you are so right!  I NEVER take anything I read about here or that other people tried UNTIL I talk to my doctor.  I only do what he recommends regarding doseage, etc.  I also take gas-X pills.  I also take Imodium prescribed and Pepto Bismal but only because he said they were ok in moderation.  Like I take Tylenol every day for arthritis but only the limit advised!  I have faith in both my gastro doctors.  One sent me to the more experienced doctor becaused he was "stumped" on what more to do for me.  They are conferring and my NP keeps me up to date and answers my questions.  The only way it should be - in my opinion! 

ElaineNY

Posted 7/20/2009 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Nor_tx...rectal med suggestion is for flaring...and yes...gas is a symptom of flaring, which many miss.

No, it's not an answer for everything, but it's definitely wise to treat the inflammation and not ignore the fact.

One certainly wouldn't use them unless by prescription anyway....the problem is that many UCers as well as doctors have a rectal med phobia.

There is certainly no shortage of suggestions to help gas.....depends on the cause.

quincy
Posted 7/20/2009 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I forgot to mention how rectal meds are helping me.  I am ONLY on them now.  But, I have proctitis mostly with only little left-sided inflammation.  The new doctors told me to use the Cortifoam and Anusol three times a day.  Not really possible for me and I told him - he said do the best you can.  So, at least for now - doing Cortifoam and Anusol twice and sometimes Anusol three times.  Hoping to cut back soon but my body is adjusting to no prednisone and not sure what is going on.  I think I have confused my body LOL!  Not sure what to expect next.  Woke up sick like a year ago this morning - like back to square one.  YUCK!

ElaineNY

Posted 7/26/2009 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
I took some of your suggestions ... I started taking fiber supplements with calcium, breaking up the recommended dosage into 3 stages - breakfast, lunch and dinner. I also started taking my Lialda before dinner time instead of the morning.

I am happy to report that a lot of my gas and bloating in the mornings have dissipated as well as a lot of the sense of urgency. BMs have firmed up and there is less blood. I still have probably once urgent run to the bathroom a day but even most of the pain is gone from that too ...

the only drawback is that I sometimes feel "full" ... does that make sense? I am assuming it is the fiber doing it ...
Posted 7/26/2009 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
yes, the fibre can do that if you're taking too much when your digestive system isn't used to it. Are you taking a fibre mixed in liquid or fibre supplements?

Do enquire about rectal meds.

How much fluid are you taking in with meals?

Sometimes having less during the main meals and creating more small meals during the day helps.

Glad you're feeling somewhat better.

quincy
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