flaring or constipated

It's actually part of the healing process.
UC heals downward, a flare goes upward.

You're left with different symptoms such as constipation...which you would more than likely have going into a flare, but rarely notice until more obvious urgency/diarrhea, mucous, bleeding..etc.

Regarding the avid exerciser..you might want to cool it a bit since it can exacerbate flares.


You should ask the doc for some rectal meds...even suppositories at the very least.

You could start some fibre supplements or stool softeners to at least make passage less painful.

Hang tough...this is the roughest part...
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SurferChick said...
Sorry, small vent. I'm so sick of UC. Have been having flares on and off recently. Current flare about a week..start taking prednisone 50mg. Now severely constipated and very uncomfortable. I'm so annoyed with it all. I'm an avid exerciser, (7 days a week) but can't deal with going to the bathroom all the time, or being so backed up that I can barely walk let alone run which is my passion.
Oh and has anyone had false alarms. I keep getting urges, rushing to the bathroom and then nothing.

Anyone have any thoughts/comments. I probably just need to live with the constipation until I can taper off pred, but it is so tough.

Emily

Hi SC,

I think most of us UCers get false alarms.

UC is a difficult disease to deal with at times; you either have constipation or diarrhea.

I deal with my constipation (and in general) by drinking a lot of water. If things get bad and the constipation seem to lasts days, I use a laxative, such as Miralax or Dulcolax. You don't have to suffer from constipation.

Many get relief for diarrhea from Metamucil or Psyllium Husk products, and controlling their diet.

In addition, as much as you feel like exercising, you need to balance it with the flare. When I was young, I loved long distance running among other sports. Impossible with flares.

I still try to walk as much as I can. My normal walk in remission (or even during initial flare) is close to two hours. When flaring 15 minutes is happy time. The UC tends to change one's life. When in remission, though, life is pretty much normal. Learn to deal with it.

Now you need to deal with the constipation.

All the best to you.

Your choice...but if you NEED the exercise and not doing it causes you extreme anxiety/agitation, explore that aspect and work at the quest by seeking other options while flaring.

Seems simple to me considering extreme exercise can up the immune system to the point of triggering autoimmune disease to flare. If that's what's happening to you....it's definitely something YOU have control over.

Yes, it will be hard, but you have to allow the learning curve to understanding your body's needs.


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