Crohns with constipation - no diarrhea! Anyone like me?

[MiJo]

I am newly diagnosed with crohns. The funny thing is I have never had bloody diarrhea or any diarrhea period. My problem has always been constipation. I got a second opinion and yup still confirmed as crohns.

I was diagnosed through a colonoscopy biopsy. I had some ulcers. I got a colonoscopy because I was told I was anemic and my hemetologist thought maybe I should get a colonoscopy because I told him I always had constipation problems.

Is there anyone out here like me?? Anyone with just constipation? What do you do to treat it? Im taking mesalamine and a high fiber diet. What do you do and have you had success?

 

[Jabee]

I responded to your other thread but in short, yes! There are other people who have constipation and not diarrhea.

 

[Scipio]

Same for me. Ileal Crohn's with occasional constipation and no diarrhea. According to one paper I read, constipation is more common in cases of Crohn's confined to the small bowel and diarrhea is more common in cases involving the large bowel.

 

[MiJo]

Come to think about it, it may be my small intestine and not my large intestine. I get it mixed up a lot!

How do you guys treat it? Just a high fiber diet? Do you consume dairy? Sorry for the questions. I'm getting another colonoscopy in the months to see if the medication is working. I'm worried about it.

 

[Scipio]

I just eat a lot of fruit and take fiber pills. By constipation isn't bad enough to require laxatives.

 

[Jabee]

Fiber actually constipates me, although I haven’t tried fiber pills. I might give that a shot. I take linzess every day and also miralax every day.

 

[MiJo]

Going to see about those fiber pills. I'm trying to eat more fruits as well through smoothies. I use benefiber too.

 

[my little penguin]

Ds has constipation
Very rare diarrhea
Requires daily miralax (for 7 years)
Fiber is his enemy
Tried it ok many forms
Pills /food /powder
Cooked or not
He has gastroparesis as well (figured that one out after Crohns dx )
Which means his gut -stomach move very slow
Fiber takes too long to empty out of the stomach
So not good for him

 

[Heffalumpen]

Me too. Doctors always ask for blood or diarrhea, but my problem are mostly bloating and constipation. I talked with a dietitian and she recommended to eat "things that are gooey when you put them in water". For example oats and chia seeds both get slimy when you soak them in water, and that helps to "butter" your intestines. But other grains do not react to water. That also means they are harder for you to digest and can lead to constipation. She also told me that I should avoid eating fruit or vegetables with skin. The skin is the most difficult to digest so take it off and just eat the fruit. Hope that helps

 

[curlywurly]

Hi Mijo,
I started with diarrhea that is how I was diagnosed, but the last two years I have been constipated even though it is my colon that is effected.
My consultant put me on Laxido and Fybogel I must say if I take it regularly it seems to work if I don't it comes back.The meds are not laxatives but help soften the stools it is not as painful to pass then.I wish you good luck in finding something that works for you.

 

[SugarberryGA]

I frequently have constipation with my Crohn's. Whenever I feel like I need some help going #2, I drink an herbal tea called Smooth Move. You can buy it in most any grocery store. If I drink a cup at night before I go to bed, I'll have a BM the next day!

 

[MiJo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

It's nice knowing I'm not alone.