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Posted 11/5/2011 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
i have a weighty feeling in my bum which feels like the last time i was severely constipated. that time, the doctor suggested a suppository but that was a disaster (it hurt like hell and gave me an accident). I also don't want to use mag citrate and phosphosoda is very bad for me kidney-wise. i had initially been taking phillips laxitives every night but the doc thought they might have been constipating me more (this was last year) but i'm wondering if i were to take three or four when i get home from work tomorrow night (i have sunday off) if that might work... the other option is miralax, which i don't want to take but may have to. i'm just afraid of having another accident. i don't know what to do. AND I REFUSE TO WEAR DIAPERS!
Posted 11/5/2011 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,
I also am going to have to say rectal meds. I know they can be a pain to use....initially I was less than thrilled to be dealing w/ them. However I thought if it would help me be back to normal, it would be worth it. So I had a talk w/ myself and changed my attitude. For me, it was the best helper of the bunch...ok, not perfect, but I've gotten the best results more than anything else. There is a bit of a learning curve at the start, but now let's just say I can do it in a minute and I don't even think about it. It is just part of my routine...brush, floss, enema or supp. Also I believe that not too much is absorbed systemically so it is also a bit safer than other meds (especially oral pred) So think about it and I would say to try to get on it as early as possible to avoid the flare getting worse.

Good luck!
B
Posted 11/5/2011 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Couple of ideas (yeah I don't like using laxatives either):

have you tried a teaspoon or two of oil? Olive oil or any healthy oil will do, even fish oil. This has been a remedy for C for many many years, castor oil was used back in the day.

Of course coffee (drinking, not enema) works for people but I don't do that because although it will work temporarily for me it increases inflammation and everything I do is to decrease inflammation, however 2 teaspoons diluted in water works for me in a pinch.

Add my vote to mesalamine enemas done overnight. You wouldn't think they could reach up that far in the colon but they really do help a lot.

Your C is just the flip-side of D. Inflammation still causing colon dysfunction. It's a balancing act we all do to keep our colons happy.

Lastly, drink more water. Our wounded colons need more water than most. Drink as much as you can without feeling bloated.
Posted 11/5/2011 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
@Quincy

the doctor has only ever suggested a suppository that one time. I'm a 21 year old kid. i'm in no position to make changes to my treatment plan without the doctor's input (which is why i was bringing up the other suggestions he's had in the past.) the suppository was a last resort last time. i don't know what you mean by me ignoring what you all have to say. 90% of the time, those on here have told me to adust my diet. if you feel that answering me is a waste of your time, don't, but just because something works for you doesn't mean it works for everyone. for me, the suppository itself took over 8 hours to work, which is unheard of since it was supposed to work within 15 minutes, and it made me very ill and unable to make it to a toilet in time. that was my experience.
Posted 11/5/2011 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
21 year old ADULT, and with 182 posts, many of us have consistently suggested rectal meds.

Take responsibility for your butt, ask the doctor for the retention enemas and try them.  Retention...to hold in and treat.

Actually, from what you say about the suppository makes me understand that you do NOT understand the concept of the mediction. The 5ASA or steroid Suppositories are not a one time deal to heal you...they're a continuation of a "treatment", but to me more of a support treatment.

The rectal meds we speak of  are to be taken continually...they aren't meant to make you have a bm. 

Retention enemas, ask the doctor for them.  Again, medication to help heal, not make you have a bm.   A continuation of use until your flare is finished.  Then tapered for a maintenance.  

Diet change will not heal you...it just won't. It will help with discomfort, but won't heal.

And...you have other issues, other meds....obviously you get the concept of having illness and needing to be treated.

Plain and simple, and as mentioned to you in the past, UC starts at the rectum, and it only makes sense to use rectal meds...to treat, not make you have a bm..

I know of young kids who use the enemas faithfully....so age has nothing to do with treating UC.   You need to do more reading about the medications we are suggesting rather than you assuming why we're suggesting them.   Discuss them with your doctor so that you are a proactive participant in your care of UC.  Since it's lifelong, you need to deal with it now rather than when your doc mades other decisions that be too extreme or not enough.. 

As far as answering you....I have many times, You just aren't listening or asking for clarification.

q

Posted 11/6/2011 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
taking the dulcalax, which was the step before the suppository last time. putting double pads in the undies and trying to get some sleep. i've been feeling pretty good with the LDN until now. i'm taking this as a fluke and assume that i'll be fine once this poo is gone.
Posted 11/6/2011 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
sure, sounds like a well-laid plan. You don't get it yet, do you? ....

q
Posted 11/6/2011 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
what i get is that i have no way of getting in touch with my GI on a saturday and will not be able to get in touch with him until at least monday. what i further get is that this has worked in the past and will hopefully work again. i don't know why you seem to get so much joy out of making a 21 year old feel as though they no longer have a safe place to go to discuss their illness, but whatever the reason, please think about what you're saying to me before you say it. i am trying to take care of myself as best i can at the given moment. perhaps your suggestions will be followed at my appointment in december, but it is not a feasible option to get put onto rectal meds tonight. sometimes constipation is just constipation. maybe it's not, and if this doesn't work, i'll be the first one to let you say "i told you so" but i'm trying a stop-gap measure to make myself better at the moment.

also my parents (who pay for my meds) do not feel that rectals are the way to go right now since the LDN seems to be working, but that's neither here nor there at this point. this whole disagreement emerged unnecessarily because i didn't ask about rectals to begin with, i was asking about oral laxitives.

and as far as you telling me over and over again about rectal meds, i went back in my posts tonight (trying to find the post from last year) but in most that i saw, you were not pushing rectals at me, rather you were being relatively supportive. if i misunderstood previous posts, then i misunderstood previous post but as much as you say that i'm an adult, i have been sheltered and at the mercy of my parents all my life. i am still a child when it comes to this stuff. i've advocated for myself as much as possible with all of this, but it's all rather overwhelming. i've been dealing with it since i was young, but my parents have made all the major decisions.

i'm going through a very difficult time right now with my depression and i know that's not your problem but the posts you've been writing feel like they're attacking me. i actually cried when i read your first two posts. i've always felt support here and maybe it's just my highly emotional state, but i feel like you don't understand that not everyone will agree with you 100% of the time. not only that, i wasn't even answering you anymore. you could easily have just ignored it, but you chose to question my decision and insult me yet again.

ok, i'm done now.
Posted 11/6/2011 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
rpg

when there is someone whose posts you don't want to see there is a way for them to disappear. There is a button in each post-it's a little hand with the thumb turned down. This means "Ignore" and when you click it you will magically not see their posts anymore.
Maybe you clicked it in the past and didn't see the posts referred to.
Or maybe you need to click it now.

I prefer not to use this button myself but if it is is adding to your distress right now maybe you should use it.

I disagree with many of Q's beliefs ("diet will not heal you" for one. It's healed me and many others here, not everyone but many). Just because she tells you to do something doesn't mean you have to.

Just to make clear (because it is confusing to many): there are 2 kinds of enemas. One kind helps constipation and the other kind (retention enemas) help UC inflammation. Rowasa, and generic mesalamine enemas, Canasa and other UC-type suppositories are "retention enemas or suppositories" not for constipation. Sometimes when inflammation is strong it is hard to keep them in and yes they might inadvertently cause BM's but that is not what their purpose is.

Hope this helps. You sound like you are starting to get a handle on what makes you feel better.
Posted 11/6/2011 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can click me to ignore, that's fine.

BUT...what IF the rectal meds helped you??? That could get you feeling better so that you're not in such distress.

Your parents' knowledge about not using the rectals seems out of place. Yes, they're expensive and require commitment.

Support is subjective on the receiving end, and I do come across as very blunt. Yes, I suppose I'm scolding you and unfortunately I have attacked you, to which I apologise.

I don't have to answer you either, which would have made this thread better to support you....but I really "encourage" you to reconsider the rectal treatment meds...

You have to PLEASE realise that a laxative isn't what you need....it's treatment of the lower end that you need.

q
Posted 11/6/2011 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
rpgdancer, have you tried a stool softener?  Colace is a good choice.  After two nights, it should soften any hard stools to make them pass easier, esp. if you are experiencing a flare at the same time you are feeling constipated.   Also, you might want to try drinking white grape juice.  That works pretty well.   Good luck....I hope you feel better soon.

 

Posted 11/7/2011 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
i take 480mg of docusate calcium every night.
Posted 11/7/2011 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was of the mind that "sometimes constipation is just constipation" but it's usually a flare up of the rectum. That means the rectum will be holding back the stool, or it can just spurt it out, being as tender as it is.

I have been badgered by Quincy, but 99 percent of the time she is right. At first, I was very wrapped up in what my doctors were saying or not saying (if they didn't return my calls). I didn't take charge of the situation.

If it is indeed constipation, Miralax might be the safest because it sucks water down, instead of making you cramp like other laxatives.

I hope you find relief and can learn to manage things without feeling so overwhelmed. Everything is a new symptom, or constellation of symptoms, then it because old hat -- until it's not :-)
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