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Inflamed Colon - Need Suggestions Desperately

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/27/2010 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I am in need of a lot of suggestions. I just had a colonoscopy last Thursday due to bloody, mucusy diarrhea for over 2 weeks now. Right after the procedure, the GI said my colon is severely inflamed. He put me on Flagyl for now (which I am now going on my 3rd day) until he gets the biopsy results (I guess) from my colonoscopy. He said that for diarrhea I can take Immodium and as far as diet, there are really no restrictions but it's for me to find out which foods aggravate my symptoms. I am so afraid to eat just anything because I know that I probably should take it very easy on my colon. I have been eating only eggs, chicken, fish, white rice, some bananas, crackers, gatorade/powerade. I'm also taking a multi-vitamin and B12. I've lost 10 lbs or more already. I still go to the bathroom about 10x a day (same bloody, mucusy stuff) but not very much comes out... maybe 1/4 - 1/2 cup each time. I'm afraid to stop it with Immodium because I actually feel relief when I have a BM and I feel I shouldn't keep that stuff inside my colon. I guess the suggestions I'd like to get are:
1. Is it ok to not stop the diarrhea as long as I make sure to keep hydrating myself with electrolytes and water
2. Any tips on what I can do to help the inflammation go down
3. Any other suggestions on what else I can eat that should be gentle on my inflamed colon

I really appreciate your help.
Posted 3/27/2010 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
First off - welcome and I'm sorry you're needing to join us!

It sounds to me as if you're eating the most basic, unlikely-to-irritate foods (although we all have different things that bother us.) So - good work on that!

I've never had a GI suggest Immodium. My son's GI recently said that he could take one, once in a while, if needed because of a special event. And.. that's pretty much what I've heard. I had understood that it was dangerous for people with UC to take Immodium on a regular basis because it would be dangerous - as your intuition told you - to block up a fragile colon. There is a rare but really dangerous condition called "toxic megacolon" in which the colon - well, becomes toxic and mega-inflamed, and we want to avoid anything that might promote that.

The biopsies from your colonoscopy will tell is you have UC or some other condition. Even if it is UC, sometimes Flagyl is prescribed to calm it down - there was a thread about this a few days ago.

Some of us respond well to probiotics..... I find they seem to help me. Also, I find Metamucil helps bulk up my stools while at the same time making them easy to pass.... but if you've not taken fiber before, I'd start that carefully (with a tiny dose) in case it's hard on your system.

If you tolerate dairy, yogurt might be good.....some folks here find spinach and sunflower seeds (or maybe butter) help.... any kind of nut butter could bring you good nutrition.... just trying to think off the top of my head here.

Hang in there, stay hydrated, and let us know how you're doing!
Posted 3/27/2010 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
I take 1/2 Imodium when truly have D AFTER I am cleaned out and nothing coming but liquid as prescribed by my GI!  Also, the other ideas are good - probiotics, fiber such as Metamucil - starting out slow so as to not promote too much gas!

ElaineNY

Posted 3/27/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi ll

Sounds like you haven't yet been diagnosed. I am right? Sounds like maybe the doc thinks it could be c. diff or something?

Anyhow, the diarrhea is probably ok....I'm not your doc but I will say that I have used the bathroom that much in one day and while it is very uncomfortable and scary you should be ok. The electrolytes are a good idea. I have never used immodium myself. Don't really know why, I guess because my docs have never suggested it. Wouldn't really help the problem anyhow because I do have UC.

You will probably need meds to help with the inflammation which I am assuming your doc will prescribe when he/she gets the lab results. If it is c. diff then antibiotics is the first course of action because the inflammation is being caused by a bacteria. If it is UC you may be prescribed various other anti inflammatory meds. There are some alternative meds (herbs etc) and diets that can reduce inflammation but I would just sit tight and wait on the docs results. If you in fact have UC you will have years to explore alternatives if you choose to.

Your diet sound great for being easy on the colon. Keep it up. Oh....except you may want to see of you can get a drink without sugar. Sugar is a pro-inflammatory food. good luck, jo
Posted 3/27/2010 10:00 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think an Immodium would hurt you. Getting dehydrated through constant D would be a greater harm as well as overworking your colon. You just don't want to become habitual with Immodium.

Yogurt causes me to have D but maybe you can tolerate it. I agree with protein, as you are doing (eggs, chicken, fish) to keep your strength up and lots of liquids without artificial anything and no additives (so maybe not Gatorade etc). Stay away from acidic stuff.

You need to find out now what kinds of foods don't upset your stomach so that when/if you start meds you can tell whether it's the meds or the food if you have further upset.

Right now you just want to get some semblance of a quiet colon.

Good luck.
Posted 3/27/2010 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Joma - just wanted to say that you are right - Imodium will not help the UC - inflammation or anything - but it will help control the D and I believe then my rectum is calmer and rectal meds work better for me then.  I could not function out of the house without Imodium on some days - mostly because I also have IBS.  Been using Imodium for MANY years to control IBS diarrhea and cramping.

ElaineNY

Posted 3/27/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Don't drink too much sugary drinks like gator aid. Start eating about half a cup of canned spinach and some sunflower butter or seeds. Jarrows Whey protien powder for the amino acids, glutamine, and protein to help heal. Aloe drink maybe. Give red meat a try, not fried, but baked or grilled. Stay away from acidy foods like tomatoes, and avoid spicy stuff too. No carageenan or MSG. Milk can be bad for some as well.
Posted 3/27/2010 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
     Your symptoms are exactly the same as mine were when first diagnosed in 1998.  The only thing I could contribute is to say that fiber made my condition worse.  Stick to a low residue diet.   Instead of milk I use Lactaid in my rice cereal.

     As far as medications go, the only drug that helped me into remission was prednisone but now I have become prednisone dependent and you sure don't want that to happen.

     The best of luck to you.  I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy return to  health.  Just sit tight and wait for the biopsy report, write down all the questions you may have for your GI doctor and if you are satisfied with the answers he gives you, follow his advice.

     We are all here for you!

Posted 3/30/2010 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all so much for your helpful replies and your support. I am still having diarrhea now (Day 16) and Day 5 on Flagyl (500 mg, 3x a day for 10 days). Although my diarrhea is less than 10x a day now, I'm still going 6-7x a day. Sometimes, only a little comes out but first stool in the am and maybe 1 or 2 more times mid day, I go about a cup. Sometimes, the diarrhea is really bloody, sometimes hardly any blood. Sometimes it's more watery than usual, sometimes they're little soft, fibrous clumps (so sorry for gross description). Is this really what's to expected while on a "flare?" Will the diarrhea not stop until the inflammation is gone? While on a flare, how long have you guys had bloody diarrhea and how frequent in one day? As mentioned above, my doctor said I should stop it with Immodium but I had such a bad experience with Lomotil that I'm really scared to take another anti-diarrhea med. Also I thought since my BM is at least a little less than before I went on Flagyl, I'm making some improvements. I'm so scared that I might be losing too much blood. I do feel weak but I keep thinking it's because of lack of sleep. Flagyl makes my stomach so upset that I find it very difficult to sleep - even though I make sure to take it with bread and some bananas.

Oh yeah and another question, eating now is something I pretty much hate. My mouth has been so dry (don't know if it's bec. of the med or what) and I am so sick of the bland food I've been eating. Any suggestions on what I can add to zest up my egg, chicken or fish without? (please note that I am still trying to heal my inflamed colon). Thank you, thank you in advance for your comments. Sorry for such a long post.
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