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Posted 12/3/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
Been on the Asacol for about 4 weeks now and I am very constipated. Have not had a BM since Saturday and that was not much. I've been eating a regular amount. My doctor told me to use miralax or metamucil and stay away from senokot. Been taking miralax for 3 days with no luck, also been drinking lots of water. Before the UC diagnosis I would use senokot maybe once every other week and it worked, but not am scared that I will end up in a flare. Any advice. Maybe chance the senokot.


__________________________________________________
Diagnosed with pancolitis October 2013
2400mg Asacol(Generic version, 5- Aminosalocylic Acid), taken in two doses of 1200mg
80mg Tecta(pantoprazole magnesium), taken in two doses of 40mg
Vitamin D and B12
B12 injection every 2 weeks

Diagnosed with Hiatus hernia 2012
Gastritis, twice a year(approx.)
Uveitis, last flare was 4 years ago
Fistula surgery next to anus 15 years ago
Posted 12/3/2013 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
magnesium citrate cleans me out pretty well. i take natural calm at night when constipation is getting to me. i also drop all insoluble fiber (i don't eat much anyway).
Posted 12/3/2013 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
let me repeat to ad nauseam....it's more than likely you have limited inflammation in the rectum. It's part of healing from a more severe flare, but it's also a symptom of a mild flare if you've been symptom free.

While using any of the constipation remedies might be helpful for getting things moving, it'll do nothing to help if you have continuing inflammation in the rectum.

Do you not have any rectal meds?

q

Posted 12/3/2013 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
I see my GI doc in January and I am going to inquire about the rectal med then. Is there any OTC suppository for constipation? Just sat on toilet and only two half inch round stools came out. It does feel like my rectum is just not cooperating.
Posted 12/3/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Call your doctor NOW and request him to prescribe you mesalamine enemas with enough refills until you see him in January.

q
Posted 12/3/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
In the mean time, if you're not having any success dealing with the constipation using over the counter meds, try prune juice everyday, it's helped me a lot with my constipation issues and I tried many OTC meds with no help.
Posted 12/4/2013 10:43 AM (GMT 0)
You should get rectal meds now
and check my post on this thread
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=2923476
Posted 12/4/2013 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
i second the advice by pb4 and quincy. I took a laxative from advice by the "professionals" now getting some very mild bleeding. Stopped against their advice and started rectal meds and tried prune juice and that got things moving. Now need to get blood back under control so please avoid laxative where possible.
Posted 12/4/2013 11:42 AM (GMT 0)
I would suggest you stay away from miralax.

Why not up your quantity of magnesium citrate?

You can also try vitamin c powder, such as Emergen-C ( which won't bother your stomach).

Are you drinking enough water?
Posted 12/5/2013 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for replies. Had a bowel movement today. Yes, drinking lots of water. Bought some magnesium citrate, but did not have to use it. I'll use it before I get that stage next time.
Posted 12/5/2013 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
If you suffer from constipation often, I would suggest using Emergen-C on a daily basis ( as a way of keeping your regular) or at the very least a few times a week. Don't let it get so bad that you'll be straining.
It's important to have a bowel movement at least every day.
Posted 12/5/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I'd do the higher doses of vitamin C before the mag citrate for sure.

Again..............................RECTAL INFLAMMATION or rectal dysfunction will be in part part/most of the cause of this...So, since you've had fistula surgery, it's a possibility.

So, no rectal meds in your future?

q
Posted 12/5/2013 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I too am suffering from constipation and only going about every six or seven days. I'm taking nightly enemas but these are not helping the bm frequency (but have worked wonders on the bleeding & urgency with that). I used to eat a very large amount of fruit and vegetables before my diagnosis - but even then I suffered from constipation. I tried cooked pears as raw pears were my 'go to' before diagnosis but they only gave me gas and no bm joy. I struggle to drink my 2 litres of water daily. My question is - how does the Vitamin C and Magnesium Citrate help with constipation ?
Posted 12/5/2013 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
Both have action to quicken the digestive tract, specifically the colon. Magnesium citrate, however, is an osmotic.

Why don't you start adding more of the fruit to your diet anyway? except the pears...they kill me with gas and cramps, but they're yummy.

how long have you been on the Salofalk nightly?

Rectal inflammation, the misinfo from the rectum to the rest of the colon and eating low fibre foods can certainly have the colon working a bit slower.

Fruit has both fibre and fructose, which helps to soften stool and increase colon activity.....

I went through a long bout with the same thing after my first few flares. But since adding fibre supplements, it's helped a lot.

When I was working, I used to take a healthy helping of vitamin C powder before bedtime (5 years) so that my bms were faster and guaranteed the next morning.

q
Posted 12/8/2013 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
Both have a bowel stimulating effect and they draw water into your intestines to soften stool.

I like triphala and vit C, personally.
Posted 12/8/2013 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
silly question- where does one find prune juice? is it with all the other juices?
Posted 12/9/2013 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Shawna,

No question is silly.

You would find it in the un-refrigerated section where they have all the other juices.
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