Any advice please! xx

[catpee]

Hi there.
I am totally new to this site and pretty much this disease. I got dx with Crohns in 2011, but I have lived with the symptoms for about 8 years and just put it down to 'IBS' I have managed to live a pretty ok life over the years with just the need for daily immodium and the odd co-codamol. The biggest burden for myself has been diarrhoea. I have had quite a few accidents while i have been out which are really horrid, but I just get on with it like many of you guys do as I would seem to think I have pretty mild Crohns compared to some of you. Recently I have gone from severe diarrhoea to constipation and this last week I have struggled to go once a day. I have been taking Senekot laxatives to help me go and have been taking approx six a day to get that one movement?? Can anyone help or advise me? I'm worried something is going on in there, as to put it bluntly I haven't had a solid one for about six years!! I have Crohn's of the small bowel and ileum to which the GI says there is quite a lot of narrowing and 30cm involved? I have had steroids,Pentasa, Sulphasine and went Mercaptupurine for a short time, but they made me feel so lousy I came off them? Any advice I would be so grateful as my family don't want to talk about it!!
Catherine xxxxx

 

[Manatey]

I am only telling my experience not really medical by any means...I never have constipation with my CD. If I get down to even two BMs a day I know trouble is coming and it is best to try to stop it before it starts. For me it means the inflammation is getting worse! I would call your doctor Monday and see what he suggests unless it gets worse before then or you start vomiting then head to the emergency room. The sooner you catch these things the less damage will be done.

 

[Astra]

Hiya Catherine
and welcome

I think it's not a good idea to take Immodium or other laxatives on a regular basis, your bowels need to regulate themselves without intervention. Ok sometimes, but you need to wean off them and go cold turkey! IMO
If I have a lot of diarrhea I go on the low residue diet, this slows your bowels down and rests them for a while, this diet is ideal for the short term only.
Keep a food journal, document everything you eat, then slowly re introduce some fibre back in, a little at a time. Research the difference between soluble fibre and other fibres.
In the meantime check out our diet and fitness sub forums for more info on constipation.
And, chuck the laxatives!
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Catherine and welcome to the forum! I agree that taking alll that immoduim followed by laxatives is perhaps not a great idea for the tum. I would say you need to have a chat your doc as to why you are not able to go the loo though. Also what meds are you on right now? I am wondering about all the diarrhoea you were having as this indicates they are not working and again your GI needs to be aware of this and perhaps different meds are now needed......

I hope things can be sorted and settled for you soon, pls keep us updated.

 

[catpee]

Thanks everyone for your messages. I was taking immodium every day for 8 years i thought that was the norm to be honest. I'm not on any meds at minute, I should be on Mercaptupurine but felt really sick off them so stopped taking them. I agree, laxatives are not good, but I just don't know what to do tbh! oo: I'm having an u/s on the 23rd of March to see if the bowel has narrowed any further and they suggested if it has then perhaps surgical intervention would be needed? Everytime I have a b/m i feel like I'm pooing glass??? it really hurts! My GI also suggested another colonoscopy yay! not. He said I have ulcers in my rectum? Not sure if this is Crohn's or not nothing was mentioned. I'll keep you posted thank you everyone for being so nice !
xxx

 

[Angrybird]

Hiya, pls still contact your doc this week, they can at least order and x-ray which can be done quite quickly and this will show if your bowel is now 'backed up'. Also let them know about the Mercaptupurine, I am not sure it is so good that you are not on any treatment for your crohns right now - don't want you to be even more poorly hun :hug:

 

[catpee]

ok i will do. I'll ditch the laxatives and see what happens ! I'll keep you posted Thank you xxxxx

 

[David]

Hi there and welcome

That you went from D to C that fast and with your history is concerning to me. I'd suggest you call your GI and let them know. See if they can get those tests moved up to see just how bad your narrowing is.

And I agree with Angrybird, you need to be on some meds, please let them know about the 6MP. There's plenty of other medications you can try.

We're here for you anytime. Please keep us updated!