I'm new here - be nice to me ;)

[Saira]

Hello All

I'm 37 (22 in my head!) and have had Crohns since I was 17. I had my daughter when I was 26 via c-section.

I've had a right hemi colectomy with 9 sections of my bowel taken out about 10 years ago - unfortunately didn't help my crohns and I now suffer from bad adhesions. I now have infliximab every 6 weeks and that helps a lot!

I saw my consultant last week with increasing colicky pain, diarhorea etc and he has told me I need to have "a big purge" and he has given me senna tablets, picolax and moviprep to take tonight/tomorrow - thing is I'm reall worried about the picolax as last time I took it the pain was horrendous and I was crawling around on the floor like a wounded dog...

Also - there are no real instructions about when to take - I remember the doc said to take the senna tonight - but I can't remember what he said about the picolax/moviprep. I think he said tomorrow but surely I don't need both? I'm not having a procedure or anything - he just thinks a good clear out will do me good as it is likely I'm constipated despite having diarhorrea on average 6 times a day ..... (joy)

Any help/words of encouragement/general advice would be greatly appreciated - many thanks!

 

[chrisnsteph1022]

Welcome! I can't help with the prep thing. I dread doing those before scopes and can't imagine doing one for no reason, especially when I'm already having diarrhea. Why does he think you're constipated??

 

[scottmyster]

HI Saira, To me that is it doesn't make sense to take both especially if the Picolax puts you in pain. and your still having diarrhea. i'd take the senna first to see if it will work out. but i can't see how that will work especially if your still having diarrhea. Something is just not right. The doctor should have better sense and look at things further to see why you are having diarrhea in the first place.Best wishes and welcome to the forum.

scott

 

[Saira]

Hi guys

Thanks for replying - good to hear from a friendly "voice"

I know - I'm dreading it as well. I've told my doc how the picolax made me on a number of occasions but he's still given it to me

He thinks I'm constipated from the symptoms I've described - plus I have a history of being constipated (despite the constant diarhorrea) - apparently you can be consipated (in the sticky adhesion stricture loops of bowel) but still have diarrhoera "floating" over the top.

Doc has told me if I don't have a purge it's likely I'll wind up in A&E (The ER) again with a flare up/obstruction in 2 weeks.... so I have little choice. Just trying to find the best way to get through all of this I guess. *chin up!*

 

[xJillx]

Saira, I have got to be honest, I have never heard of such a thing. If there is a blockage or obstruction, I don't think bowel prep will help. I am no doctor, and I most certainly can be wrong, but I am just not too sure about this as this is the first I have heard of it. However, I hope your GI is right, and this will help your symptoms. Please keep us posted.

 

[madasins mommy]

Welcome!

 

[LauraJade]

Moviprep = uke_r:

I feel for you. Sending hugs!

 

[Jennjenn]

Hi welcome

In my opinion if it is going to cause you severe pain like that you might wind up in the A&E anyway. Why put you through that and not try something else. Senekot is strong enough to try to clear out the constipated area. There should be no need to completely flush you out, only the consipated part for what I am thinking.

 

[Saira]

Hi Kelley, Laura & Jenn

I know Im confused as well. I've taken the senna tonight
5 x 7.5mg tabs and will see how I feel in the am. Thing is my consultant has been badgering me for a while to "have a clear out" so I've got to give it a try right? If nothing just to prove him wrong! I'm thinking even if I don't manage all the movi prep tomorrow then a little will be better than none at all. Groan. If I wind up in A&E I will not be happy!

 

[Jennjenn]

You do not actually have to if you do not feel it is right. You are your own advocate and know your body best. You do NOT have go through pain to prove a doctor wrong. OMG I would never do that. I have proven other people wrong over silly things but not where I would physically suffer. I would not chance it. The Senna cannot hurt but I would try to get another opinion if I were you. It is not worth putting yourself through more pain. This is not like its for a procedure. Also if the clearing out will make you feel better what happens when this comes back in another week or two. You cannot do a prep every week or every other week. The constipation most likely will come back. If you overuse laxitives also it can cause more constipation. That is a side effect. I would try a different route and get another opinion.

 

[Saira]

Hi Jenn. Thanks for your post. I know - I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place
I understand what you are saying but I do have faith in my consultant in that he is trying to do the best for me. Also in the UK on the NHS it's not very easy to get another opinion

 

[Jennjenn]

I am not that familiar with the system over there. I do know though my doctor has mentioned certain things that I have flat out said no because I was not comfortable with it. After discussions of why it is my body and I know it best.
The issue I see with what they want you to do is only possibly temporary relief but with major suffering before. It might also cause more constipation after it is flushed out of you. I would possibly just try the senna with tons of water and walking around a bit to move things.

 

[hannah-rose]

Also in the UK on the NHS it's not very easy to get another opinion

If you trust your consultant that's brilliant but don't think you don't have a choice in who treats you - I had a terrible CRS registra on the nhs and I got rid of him, I'm now seeing someone privately but only through chance (I have BUPA through work) but initially I went to my GP and explained how unhappy I was and she referred me to a different consultant. Also after I complained to my registra he arranged for me to have a second opinion with a different doctor. Yes it takes time on the nhs, but if you're ever unhappy you should definitely speak out.