Crohn's and chronic constipation

[KingStreet123]

Hello,
I was diagnosed four years ago with crohn's. In that time, my main symptom has changed from being persistent diarrhoea to chronic constipation. I also have constant pain high up in the bowel, in the right quadrant. I have lost 35llbs and also have no appetite and feel nauseous and have extreme fatigue. I was just wondering whether anyone else suffers from chronic constipation and crohn's and how they manage it. I had a recent colonoscopy and the surgeon said it didn't look 'too' bad. I'd be interested to hear of anyone who has experienced something similar and what their treatment path was, or if anyone has any general advice. Many thanks

 

[Nancye50]

I didn't get the skinny, diarrhea Crohns. I got the weird,
Constipated Crohns. I'm
Experimenting with stool softeners.

 

[my little penguin]

DS has had chronic constipation as part of his crohn's.
When his inflammation is under control we can used less miralax.
It is a daily battle . He also supplements with formula ( peptamen jr with prebio)
More liquid in = softer coming out
His Gi aslo has him on vsl#3 probiotics
This helps with rectal inflammation caused by the constant constipation .

 

[Shari]

I go back and forth...meaning periods of diarrhoea to miserable constipation.... wish it would all go away...cannot wait until I meet with my Dr on the 22 to talk about treatment. Good luck!

 

[KingStreet123]

Thanks for all your replies. Why do you think it's changed from diarrhoea to constipation? It has taken months for my consultant to think my constipation is related to my Crohn's, but I think he is finally coming around to the idea! I have been in a state of limbo for months.

 

[Shari]

I have no idea why the change..I called my Dr today and he said yes its possible and to add it to my log... I keep a food/drink/poo log...gross I know but right now I am trying to figure oit triggers

 

[Nancye50]

I'm rockin' the poopin' since taking one colace every night before bed for the last 5 days. Yay!!

 

[Nancye50]

I've been taking one colace before bed every night & able to have a regular BM or even two every day. But is there a chance it's acting as a diuretic making me pee three or four times per night? I'm wondering if that's it or if I'm just drinking enough water now.

 

[lenny]

Son has constipation, not diarrhea. He usually only goes once a day. It helps to drink a lot of water, green tea, fruit smoothies and juice.

 

[krika]

I have severe constipation, i got an app called gi monitor, its a meny and questions there to make it easier to keep last bowel movement under controll and how i experienced it.
I also suffer from joint pain and fatigue, constipation is something that i believe stress my system in a way, since my energy is so drained and my joints ache. Also when constipated for longer than 4 days, the whole body starts to feel like im hangover or something similar, hard to explain but it does affect the general bodily feeling

 

[keif]

I'm with Shari and Krika. I've gone between both. Sometimes it's several days. Sometimes its all I can to do make it in time. Strange, I've got a DR appointment with my GI in a two weeks, I'll ask her then.

 

[Nancye50]

Just coming back to this. The colace isn't helping all the time. Is there something else I can take? Or something with a lot of soluble fiber. I'm still supposed to be low-fiber diet but this sucks. I have one banana a day and coffee usually helps me go but seems to upset my stomach!

 

[Ann Morgan]

Dear Kingstreet123:

I first started having diarrhea in 1997. I was properly diagnosed in 2006. I have Ulcerative Colitis. I have been having diarrhea for 17 years. BUT, the past three
months I have been having SEVERE constipation ! This really caught me off guard ! How could a person with Ulcerative Colitis have CONSTIPATION ? I had never heard of that. Before the constipation started I begin feeling fatigued/exhausted all of the time.
Since May 2014 I have used laxative pills three times, Miralax a few times, and Metamucil a couple of times. I would rather have diarrhea for the rest of my life than have this severe and awful constipation. The constipation causes me much anxiety. It is very difficult to have a bowel movement. Within the first seven weeks of having the constipation I lost 20 pounds ! I am seeing a new Gastroenterologist on July 30th. I really trusted my old Gastroenterologist ( I saw him for 8 years ), but he is not included in my new health insurance plan. I have lost my appetite. Many other symptoms have occurred recently that have nothing to do with my colon, it is like I am falling apart ! The fatigue/exhaustion started the beginning of May. The severe constipation started the middle of May. My feet started hurting the end of May ( I saw a Podiatrist and I have Plantar Fasciitis and I need to have custom orthotics made ). Then in June I couldn't move my neck ( I have arthritis in my neck ). Then also in June the joint disease in my left shoulder started getting a lot worse and I have limited mobility in that arm. I have never seen so many Specialist Doctors before in my life ! I am only 54 years old and I am disabled. I am seeing six Specialist Doctors right now and I am completely overwhelmed. Obviously many, many of my symptoms must be connected/related to each other. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired all of the time. My entire life, right now is just visiting doctors offices. Thanks for listening to my long story. Only 11 days until I see my new Gastroenterologist !

 

[leezapeza]

Yes I do I gave to have lactalose (surgery liquid) I know the bloating feeling and sometimes the sore back and feeling sweaty I had that last night at work had to lie down for sum if my shift I got diagnosed bout 3 weeks ago well they said it was that cose I had a ct scan and showed I had an abscess in the small part illiem I think yeah I get constapted a lot but when I'm not I'm pretty much peeing out my bum can't win

 

[krika]

I started eating K special with red berries in the morning with milk and jam, my bowel movements are more frequent, like every other day. It is still hard and so on, but for now it is working compared to how it has been like

 

[KingStreet123]

I have been prescribed Pirolax (used as bowel preparation for colonoscopy, etc.) as all the other laxatives are no longer effective. I am concerned, though, with the long-term effect it may be having. Has anyone had experience of using this type laxative?