Sensation of having to defecate relieved by farting

Hello. For the last week and a half, during the day I will sometimes feel like I need to defecate (especially during and immediately after eating). But after I fart, the feeling disappears until my gut starts to build up gas again. This process will repeat itself several times a day, but occurs more frequently during eating. What does this mean? Sometimes I have even experimented and actually gone to the toilet (even though I could control myself)... sometimes I will pass stool, sometimes nothing will come out despite having the sensation to defecate. What puzzles me is that I remember pre-UC/IBS I would fart but I would not feel like I had to defecate... I'd just feel the gas come out. Now each time I fart, I feel like I have to defecate (though nothing, aside from gas, actually comes out).

Aside from this, my symptoms have more or less remained constant since my last full scale colonoscopy (in Jan 2011) which showed mild cecum inflammation but nothing else. Last week I had an office scope (procotoscope) done which showed that my rectal inflammation had completely healed (the doctor was actually checking for fissures but found nothing).

My current symptoms are:
- sensations to defecate/urgency (around 9 times a day, but more so during eating), relieved by passing gas

- semi formed stools (ranges from formed to loose)

- 3 - 4 BMs a day

- no blood, no mucus

- no abdominal pains (previously there were pains)

Is this IBS or IBD? In a week I will be starting a 1 month internship at an accounting firm so I am kind of nervous that my gut issues will cause problems. I have obtained some prescription amitriptyline because I read that it can slow down gut digestion to relieve IBS symptoms as well as make you calmer... but I'd prefer to not use it unless my IBS is too troublesome. I also have lots of Immodium to stand by.

Thanks in advance


EDIT:
Current treatment is:
- 1g Pentasa supp every other night
- 1g Salofalk granule sachet, 1 in the morning, 1 at night
- 1 VSL #3 probiotic sachet at noon

History:
- Diagnosed with proctitis (rectal plus cecum inflammation) in Oct 2010
- Diagnosed with IBS in Nov 2010

Post Edited (MaxMilian) : 6/28/2011 11:42:44 PM (GMT-6)

Hi quincy, I hope everything is going well for you!

No I am not taking fibre supplements because I am afraid of bulking up my stools too much and making them hard to pass (since I get fissures easily I think).

I might try upping my suppositories and perhaps try a few enemas to see what happens. How long should I try the enemas for before I should start seeing any effect?

Max

Hi Quincy. Thanks for the encourging words and advice. I am glad to hear you're doing well!

Yes I am still on the Salofalk sachets (1 in the morning and 1 at night). I'll start the enemas tonight and see what happens. I've read so many good things about them. I'll see what sort of fibre supplements they have here in Shanghai.

Thanks!

Will do Quincy. I remember seeing psyllium in a pharmcy somewhere. I did use the enemas for a short period (a couple of days) a while back in Australia, but didn't feel any benefit. I think it might be worth while giving them another shot. If I use a full enema each day, I have enough for just 1 month. I might have to get more ordered in if I feel any benefit. Do you think I can start with using just half an enema? (at least until I can retain them for a few hours). That way at least I can stretch out my current stock for more than a month till I get new enemas.

MaxM..What enemas do you have?

You could do an enema one night and a suppository the next. It'll be like a boost every second night. You're not officially flaring, but if you're having the feeling, it could be the pressure as hekela suggested, but maybe on a very mild inflammation change happening.

Were you still on the supps every second night?

Why did you go to the doc in the first place for the scope?

Regarding the fibre....you could purchase psyllium seed or the husk or mix of both...and if you don't normally drink anything that it could be mixed in, you can purchase empty capsules and put it in there and take it with just water.
q

for me what you are describing is similar to my flares prior of diagnose. seems like a mild flare.

i would go for nightly enemas for 7-10 days, combined with 5-asa pils taken daily. if the enemas will do their work you will see it in one week. and if they do, go back to the suppositories&pils.

i would avoid psyllium if you did not have it before. for some - like me - they seem to make things worse- more gas, more pain. try it when you are in a better shape. but if you took it before in a flare and felt ok... no problem.

The best would be nightly for at least week (enemas) and then do the every second night for a week and then every third night the next week. All the while, using the suppositories between on the nights not using the enemas.

Since you are on the supps every second night, it might not be enough, so just upping a bit seems a good thing.

All you can do is try it. Maybe even for 5 nights in a row and then every second night. ....etc.

You have the meds, you have the option to get more....use them wisely, but either way...up the enemas for more medication.

You're using the sachets twice daily...or have you been missing any? Do you have any right sided pain at all?

q