Crohns with Constipation?

[Petra1991]

...I still cant spell the name of this disease right lol.

Anyway.

I was diagnosed with Crohns with constipation, and due to the fact that my GI is only in the office two days a week (hes doing colonoscopies all the other days) I'm not able to see him until the end of July (right before I move away from home again for school)

So, I'm really in the dark about just what is going on with my body.

I know not every case is the same, but any basics that have been seen in many case of this type of Crohns would be highly appreciated, and any support from anyone who suffers from this type would be great too. I dont think my case is that severe, but then again I have no clue what I'm supposed to be expecting at all, so any help would be great

And for helps sake here's some info on how I work I guess lol:
I'm going at least every day (at least once a day, sometimes more) (with the exception of when I was on a week long vacation, I was going every other day then, but that was the only time)

I've started to become a good judge of if I'm starting to get constipated (like today) and quickly go to a laxitive which always remedies the problem within 24 hours (doculax (1-2 tablets, depending on my work schedule) or miralax are what I use).

But the problems that lead to my needing a coloscocpy to begin with were that during the school year (while I was living away from home) I would go a week without going (most of it I believe was because I was nervous to use the bathroom that connected my dorm room to another dorm room, and because I didn't listen to my body's urges when I needed to go) it got bad enough that for the two weeks before I had a tonsilectomy I didn't go at all, and I had to get an enema to get rid of the petrified log that came out. Things went ok after that and then slowly started to go downward, it'd be about every two or three days that I'd go. So my regular physician had me take GoLytly (never again. I could only get down half of it) and that had me ok for about a week or two...and then there was another week span that I didn't go and I had a second enema then (third in my life total - I had some issues when I was younger as well). That second enema cleared me up good and I've been going every day since then. The problem didn't start up until school started up as well.

If any more information about how I am is needed just ask I don't think theres anything as TMI here since the disease has to deal with what comes out of us anyway

(and sorry for a very long post heh, just trying to give as much informaiton as possible to get some help~)

 

[Jennifer]

I'm a little confused with what you want to know exactly. Yes there are people on this forum who deal with constipation while having crohns. I'm not one of them though and can't really provide any insight on that subject. All I know is that it isn't impossible.

Here's a link to check out maybe:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000249.htm

It shows that constipation can be one of the symptoms even though its less common.

 

[Petra1991]

...I'm just as confused honestly. All my doctor told me was that I have Chron's...that I get constipated instead of how Crohn's normally is...I think... I really have no clue. (Needless to say - I'm about to storm into the doctors office and ask for an earlier appointment of something because I can't take not knowing what the heck is going on here)

 

[Keona]

I hear ya! Can you call and tell them that you need another appointment or at least a phone call so you can ask questions? Im in the same boat - only given half information and left hanging.

Are you in pain?

 

[Petra1991]

Mental anguish over not having a doctors appointment - yes

physical pain because of the Crohns? - no the worst pain i've been in is a slightly bad stomach ache...but I've had cramps ten times worse... (part of me wonders if I really have it even though the tests came back positive)

 

[DustyKat]

I don't know but could you have some narrowing that's causing the constipation?

Roo never had diarrhoea in the lead up to her diagnosis, she tended to the constipated side of things and only opened her bowels about every three days. It was never referred to as Crohn's with constipation though.

 

[BLM]

I usually have D, but I have had bouts of severe constipation too. I am constipated today for the first time in about 6 months....which is odd, because Ive had severe D up until Sunday when I was taken to the ER for nonstop vomiting....good luck~

 

[Keona]

YIKES BLM... that doesnt sound good!

Pettra - I was also wondering about narrowing. I also checked out the link Crabbyrelish sent you and it does mention constipation as a symptom.

Hopefully you can reach your GI doc.

heres some more links:
http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Finding-A-Solution-To-Crohns-Constipation/112875

http://www.crohns.org.uk/index.html?Docs/1/Complications/Constipation and IBD.html~mainFrame

 

[Rebecca85]

Blm- you are probably constipated because of the vomiting. If you have vomited then there is less food in your stomach = less food coming out the other end!

 

[btbam11]

I tend to lean more towards constipation than diarrhea as well. I have no idea why, but my doctor said it isn't unheard of. Lately though I've been alright as far as going the bathroom goes. Maybe its something in your diet? Maybe you're dehydrated? I would try to stay away from laxatives though if you can. I've only had to use them once when I hadn't had a bowel movement in about a week. It worked wonders but I was in a world of hurt because of it.

I would try eating a more balanced diet before you go decide that laxatives are the only solution. Try and make a conscious effort to eat more fiber and see if that helps.

 

[Pincushion]

Yes I am one of them too!!

I often get overflow where I present as having chronic D and instead am totally loaded up - nice!

So you are not alone xx

 

[Crohn's 35]

I was reading up on Magnesium oxide and found out it causes D, so that is good for constipation, good idea to google and check it out and see if it is for you. Magnesium Citrate is what is needed for people with D. Also helps insommnia...

 

[thefreeaccount]

It seems to me that the main problem is getting to a doc, who will be able to give you treatment. If you were diagnosed May 26, it's been over a month and the doc still can't even give you an appointment date? That seems unacceptable to me.

Have you considered going to another GI instead?

 

[Arin B]

I've been put on hold and left hanging while sick... I'd suggest getting in to see another doctor. Don't settle for 4 weeks later. If you've got Crohn's you've got to have help!

 

[Crohn's_Doll]

As I remember, I started off with constipation for awhile before things got worse. I very rarely get D and I've had crohn's for 30 years. Constipation is still a complaint but is getting better with medications. I notice that if I'm stressed out, everything stops and then comes the bout of constipation. I can usually tell when it's coming on because I feel "pressure" in the lower ab area. I have tried using laxatives, they do help but it's painful and things are tender for days after.

 

[JayJay]

I have crohns constipation,severe constipation,so bad that when i was in hospital due to a flair up I had to have an emergency x ray due to extreme pain and the x ray revealed that I was bunged up all the way up to just below my chest.I had really bad back pain and couldnt sit or lie down or sleep for months.The doctors gave me strong pain killers but of course this made the constipation a lot worse.This is all due to a blockage or stricture as the doc says which is made up of scar tissue.They told me I was to ill to be operated on.Meanwhile I on 100mg of iv steroids/cortizone and got proper moonfaced,happy days!Anyway to cut a long story short the meds have just about held me for time being and im well enough now for operation to have my blockage cut out,nice.I just drink lots of laxative now when I feel the back ache coming on.

 

[fromthegut]

I'm in a constipation phase now myself. I beleive that I haev had it msot of my life. I jsut didn't know it wasn't normal as my family has a lot of it. I beelive I ate a lot ofbulky food. Also I was at a very stressful job sitting down all day and then I didn't relax much at night.
Starting a new phase of your life is anxiety producing. What I do is due things to relax. getting outside to sit and relax and smell the fresh air. I also go palces to jsut "people watch". I was considering returnignt o school but the stress and fast pace have me rethinkign that. I may take courses part time. We live in such a fast paced wrold it is crazy. Cramming so much into our days. I think colleges and other schools are bad. Oh and fast paced work environments !! People are sick from doing that and there is a huge turnover.
I add fish oil to my meds every day. Also I use Beano. The aches and pains I get are from gas. If I am not relaxing I am not passing gas and that causes pain in my stomache. Try some progressive relaxion CD's or Yoga or swimming anything to slow down and relax. Try 15 minutes. If it helps do more.