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Is it stress causing mushy stool now?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 8/10/2017 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello UC friends. Since end of April this year I've been stressed and a nervous wreck due to my husband first suffering a mild Heart attack, then Afib, a COPD diagnosis, blocked artery, internal bleeding from Xarelto, four blood transfusions, endoscopy and biopsies showing cancer in his esophagus, continuous trips to hospitals and specialists, and now back and forth with him to hospital infusion center for chemo and radiation. So, after having my UC under control and having solid stool for several months, I've now found myself having mushy stool and diarrhea when I go. No blood or severe urgency. Just cramps and then mush or D. I am still taking four Lialda a day and using Canasa suppositories nightly but skipping a night here and there trying to stretch them out longer. I'm on Medicare and cost when in the donut hole is a killer. I'm also on 4 diff blood pressure meds.

So my question is do you think all the stress I've been under lately last four months is playing havoc with my intestines? Or is this now IBS along with my UC. And what should I be doing to try to get formed stool again. Or should I not be concerned and just ride this out?

Thanks for any thoughts on this.
Posted 8/10/2017 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
it could be ibd inflammation, or a kind of ibs.

what meds an regimen do you use?
Posted 8/10/2017 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
UC bms are notoriously inconsistent with great variation day-to-day. Often it is completely meaningless, we could have looser stools due to something we ate, extra stress, etc.
Posted 8/10/2017 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow...Sad to hear your husband is going through such serious health issues. In your situation....I would be flaring for sure. The type of emotional and physical distress you are experiencing would be taxing. For me, I would increase the enemas to nightly just because.

Yes, stress will definitely change stool consistency to mushy, as will food intake of certain fibre, fruits, salads, spicey...etc. It's not a big deal....but if it's changing, increasing with a lot of gas and discomfort, it might be that you picked up some invader with you being in hospital environment.

The suppositories are conserved because of cost? If you can get a hold of your doc, I would suggest the enemas if/ as soon as your symptoms increase.
If you arent on probiotics, definitely start some.

Keep us updated on how your husband is doing. I hope you have suppory as well to help with things that will help make tasks, etc a bit easier.

Hugs,
q
Posted 8/10/2017 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Quincy. I do worry about possibility of picking something up from all the hospitals and doctors offices we've been going to since end of April.

I'm hoping that this is just stress related and will subside once things settle down. I was taking probiotics but stopped for the past few weeks because I read posts from people who felt probiotics were causing diarrhea. I may start up again.
Posted 8/10/2017 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on medicare and getting my canasa for free through the manufacturer. I'm on my tablet so don't have the link right at hand but will post it when I get the laptop out later this afternoon

Please remember to take care of yourself during this stressful time. I developed my uc 2 weeks after my mothers difficult passing and after 4 stressful and emotional years of her late stage dementia so I will be the first to attest that stress can play a big role in uc.
Posted 8/10/2017 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
OMG, FlowersGal, that link would be wonderful. I would love to not have to pay $300 per month on Canasa. That coupled with Lialda is so expensive. Thank you.
Posted 8/10/2017 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
https://www.allergan.com/responsibility/patient-resources/patient-assistance-programs/canasa

They will make you apply and be denied for Medicare Extra Help if you haven't already. And that's a process that takes about 6 weeks or so. You can do that online, so I'd go ahead and start the process right away if I were you.

https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start

I also get my apriso free from Salix. They ship directly to my home. Canasa wants to ship directly to your doctor, so that's a hassle. My first shipment, my dr. gave away because they didn't realize it was for me and thought it was free samples. But they called Allergen and got me another shipment. I wish they'd just ship to my house, especially since my GI is moving out of state and my new GI is an hour drive away. I'm going to call and ask them if we can work something out. Also, Salix gave me a temporary OK while I was waiting for the Medicare XtraHelp to go through. I don't know if Canasa will do the same or not. You might also check out Lialda's manufacturer's website and see if they offer a patient assistance program. (These are different from their copay cards, which Medicare Part D subscribers aren't eligible for)
Posted 8/11/2017 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you FlowersGal for the link. I will definitely check this out.
Would you happen to know if they also provide help with the Lialda cost?
Posted 8/11/2017 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
Each manufacturer has their own program (or lack of), and I don't take Lialda, so I don't know. I did some poking around on the internet and found this: https://www.shire.com/patients/patient-services/shire-cares
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