HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Changing bowel habits

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/15/2010 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
I've been in remission since January 09--no blood, no urgency or D (unless I ate something that aggravates my IBS), and only BMs in the morning. However, since March or April (when I started my new job), I've been going to bathroom about 4 times at work, 1-2 times before work, and maybe a couple times after work. For example, I went 8 times today. I've switched probiotics and started Canasa every other night. No difference. My BMs are solid and have no blood (which is typically my first symptom).
Any thoughts? Maybe I'm waking up too early and it's affecting my bowels (5 am, instead of 8 am). I'm moving for graduate school in less than a month, and I really don't need to be flaring! shocked
Posted 7/15/2010 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Does the change in schedule also affect your mealtimes and the amount of food/beverage you consume during the work day? Are you more physically active in the workplace than you were before taking this job? From your description it sounds like the changes in bh are connected to some aspect of the work routine. Getting up at 5 AM would likely rile my colon bigtime! (LOL) / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/15/2010 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
If I were going 4x a day, I would worry things were starting to act up. Maybe you can use Canasa every night? I don't think it's normal to go more than 2x a day, especially if it's happening every day. How many Asacol do you take per day? Have you called you GI to ask his opinion? Maybe it's nothing to worry about.
Posted 7/15/2010 8:08 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, you're on your way to getting much worse with frequency of bms, etc.

I would suggest the retention enemas rather than the Canasa...but in the event that you can't use them, at least increase the Canasa to once or twice daily.

q
Posted 7/15/2010 10:06 AM (GMT 0)
OldHat, yes, my mealtimes and stuff have changed, as well as my sleep schedule (obviously). I am a little bit more active than before and I've started exercising on the weekends (hoping that it would help my fatigue, which has been around for 2 years now).

Eeek, I don't want to get worse! sad My GI is the one who suggested switching the probiotics and adding Canasa. I have no blood and my sed rate and hemoglobin is normal, so at first he thought it was IBS but then added the Canasa just in case. He even suggested to delay my Remicade infusion b/c I've been getting migraines and it could be a side effect. I see my PCP today, and I'll also call the GI.

You know what? I've been eating more since I started work....there's free food at least once a week (I can't resist), I sometimes eat out of boredom or to keep myself awake at work, or I eat whenever I feel lightheaded, which has been happening more in the last month or two. I'm not eating a huge amount more, but maybe it could still affect my bowels.
Posted 7/15/2010 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
IMO it's a little bit of everything you mention. Changing your schedule and especially the adrenaline and activity of a new job would certainly make me more frequent. Our guts/colon really like a regular schedule don't they?

Have you been drinking more caffeine lately also?

If you aren't seeing blood I'd give it a few weeks to settle down if it isn't interfering with work.
Posted 7/15/2010 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
Blood isn't the ONLY feature to conclude a flare....don't wait for that.

One may have 1 or 2 more bms a day if extreme increased food intake is an issue....but not as many as you've described. Your schedule can definitely affect bms, etc...but it can also affect or encourage a flare.

It wouldn't be IBS only....again, not with that frequency.

Ask the doc for the retention enemas....there is value to them over the Canasa.

You should have your vitamin D checked, even though you are taking vitamin D...ask your doc tomorrow for that.

Have you tried any fibre supplements to help bulk the stool...that might help regulate some of the frequency.

q
Posted 7/15/2010 9:34 PM (GMT 0)
The only caffeine I have is a cup or two of tea everyday.

Both my GI and PCP think that it's IBS, as there is no blood, formed stool, and not much urgency. My GI suggested to start fiber again. I also moved up my Remicade infusion just in case and got my blood drawn to check the sed rate. I had my vitamin D checked at the end of May, and it was in normal range. I know that blood isn't the only feature of a flare, but it is *always* my first symptom--before diarrhea, urgency, multiple BMs, so I'm also inclined to think IBS. Maybe things will calm down after I start school and don't have to wake up at 5, and I start eating healthier!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply