Toxic megacolon?? Or chronic constipation???

[Kirsty Smith]

toxic megacolon?? Or chronic constipation???

how can you tell if a chrons patient (very very likely to be chrons but still undiagnosed due to dithering drs) has chronic constipation where the bowel distends or toxic megacolon?? And does pain meds such as oral morph constipate u more?

 

[ameslouise]

Yes, oral narcotics will usually cause constipation. I think toxic megacolon is pretty rare and dangerous - not sure how it is diagnosed but I am sure you can google some information.

When I was first sick with UC 8 years ago, my stomach was distended to about 6 months pregnant looking. My husband asked the doc, "Do you think she had toxic megacolon?" and the doctor replied, "STAY OFF THE INTERNET! You're only going to scare yourself!"