Constipation issues!

[PERDITA]

After many years of constant running to the loo several times a day my crohns has now taken a different route, I have scarring at site of resection and causing obstruction so now I struggle to go. Have been taking laxatives for a while (probably too much) and now they dont appear to work either, so am reduced to mainly liquid diet. Has anyone else got this problem and what are you eating, it is SOO boring just living on fluids and I am worrying that I am not getting enough vitamins etc. I am now taking dulcoease tablets from the chemist which are supposed to make your stools soft and easy to pass because I am becoming paranoid that I will get blocked up again and end up back in hospital which happened over christmas. Any advice please.
Love Perdita.

 

[Rebecca85]

I don't think there's much else you can do, other than stool softeners and liquid or low residue diet (you should be able to manage soft foods like mashed potatoes for a bit of variety). To make sure you're getting enough nutrients I would try Ensure or Boost type drinks. And if you haven't already, make an appointment with your GI to discuss treatment options- they may be able to stretch the scar tissue or something to relieve your symptoms.

 

[Rebecca85]

Forgot to say, don't worry if you're not going to the toilet much, if you're mainly on a liquid diet there is less to come out the other end.

 

[Jennifer]

I heard that the stretching of scar tissue was only temporary and that you'd still need further treatment. Have you ever had a bowel resection done Perdita? To my knowledge that's the only way to get rid of scar tissue entirely (by removing it). I'd definitely contact you GI and let them know what's going on and see what they suggest.

 

[PERDITA]

I had my op in 2003 when they took the deseased piece of bowel away and it would appear that the scarring is there which apparently is pretty common, I am definitely going to pursue this with doctors as driving me mad.