I have MC and have been on a GF diet for almost a year now.Though digestion has improved tremendously I am constipated and experiencing incomplete bowel movements. Eventually i have one "super bowel movement" which causes chest pains and vomiting.
Is there a way that i can make my daily bowel Movement more complet in an effort to prevent these "super bowel Movements".
Any help or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Help!My bowelMovements are incomplete causing eventual pain!
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Hi,
Sorry to hear about that problem. More than a few of us experience constipation as a symptom of MC, or alternating D and C, (including myself). A lot of doctors don't even realize that it's connected with the disease. As you already know, it's not easy to find a solution for the problem. If you're taking Entocort, simply lowering your dosage rate might resolve the problem. If you're not taking Entocort, though, then it's tougher to find a solution.
Some of us take supplemental magnesium, because many people tend to be low on magnesium to begin with, and it provides all sorts of benefits, such as lower blood pressure, better hearth health, it prevents leg and foot cramps, and restless leg syndrome, etc. But magnesium is also a laxative, so most of us find that if we take a typical supplement, (such as a 400 mg tablet), it can help. Adding more fiber to the diet may or may not help. The best way to do that, IMO, is to eat more fruit, because then you get not only the benefit of the additional fiber, but many fruits contain not only fructose, (which can stimulate BMs), but they also contain substantial amounts of sorbitol, and sorbitol is a natural laxative. Some of us are more sensitive to it than others, but it doesn't take much sorbitol to really loosen up my BMs.
It's possible that you might have a stenosis in your sigmoid colon. This sometimes develops in conjunction with diverticulosis/diverticulitis, and I had the problem, (it eventually required surgery). There could also be an abnormal deformation in the area of the rectum, (such as an internal hemorrhoid), causing a partial obstruction there, and resulting in incomplete evacuation. If you happen to have such an issue, though, or a stenosis, it should be noted on your endoscopy, (colonoscopy), report. You might get a copy of that to see what it actually says, because diverticulosis, and other physical changes can cause additional complications on top of those caused by MC. Those reports are written in "doctorspeak", so if you have trouble interpreting what it actually says, (or means), I'll be happy to help you interpret it.
Tex
Sorry to hear about that problem. More than a few of us experience constipation as a symptom of MC, or alternating D and C, (including myself). A lot of doctors don't even realize that it's connected with the disease. As you already know, it's not easy to find a solution for the problem. If you're taking Entocort, simply lowering your dosage rate might resolve the problem. If you're not taking Entocort, though, then it's tougher to find a solution.
Some of us take supplemental magnesium, because many people tend to be low on magnesium to begin with, and it provides all sorts of benefits, such as lower blood pressure, better hearth health, it prevents leg and foot cramps, and restless leg syndrome, etc. But magnesium is also a laxative, so most of us find that if we take a typical supplement, (such as a 400 mg tablet), it can help. Adding more fiber to the diet may or may not help. The best way to do that, IMO, is to eat more fruit, because then you get not only the benefit of the additional fiber, but many fruits contain not only fructose, (which can stimulate BMs), but they also contain substantial amounts of sorbitol, and sorbitol is a natural laxative. Some of us are more sensitive to it than others, but it doesn't take much sorbitol to really loosen up my BMs.
It's possible that you might have a stenosis in your sigmoid colon. This sometimes develops in conjunction with diverticulosis/diverticulitis, and I had the problem, (it eventually required surgery). There could also be an abnormal deformation in the area of the rectum, (such as an internal hemorrhoid), causing a partial obstruction there, and resulting in incomplete evacuation. If you happen to have such an issue, though, or a stenosis, it should be noted on your endoscopy, (colonoscopy), report. You might get a copy of that to see what it actually says, because diverticulosis, and other physical changes can cause additional complications on top of those caused by MC. Those reports are written in "doctorspeak", so if you have trouble interpreting what it actually says, (or means), I'll be happy to help you interpret it.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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showstopa
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I cant begin to explain how greatful i am for your response. You are truly a God Send. I will try the magnesium today and go from there with your advice. In my heart and experience I was welling to bet that i was possibly under nourished involving something my system needed but was not getting. I will keep you posted and thank you again. I had been checking the board preying that someone would respond!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!
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showstopa
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Hi Tex Again. I was not able to make it to the drug store for the Magnesium, but i will be certain to make it today. I was able to read up on the suplement and everythinng coincided with what you said. Their was even an excerpt which stated that people who experience gluten sensitivity and digestive issues such as ourselves tend to be deficient in magnesium.
Just to be clear I do suffer from the D&C combo. I am not taking any drugs. A gf diet and also a chocolate, cafeine , dairy, free diet seems to bring resolution for the most part, but of course this illness is like a labrinth. Just when you figure one thing out there is another thing that requires solving. I just wanted to share a little about me. Although you seemed to have hit the nail on the head with littler info about me. I would not have figured this out with out you and just wanted to touch base. Thanks again and i will keep you posted!
Just to be clear I do suffer from the D&C combo. I am not taking any drugs. A gf diet and also a chocolate, cafeine , dairy, free diet seems to bring resolution for the most part, but of course this illness is like a labrinth. Just when you figure one thing out there is another thing that requires solving. I just wanted to share a little about me. Although you seemed to have hit the nail on the head with littler info about me. I would not have figured this out with out you and just wanted to touch base. Thanks again and i will keep you posted!
About half of us are also sensitive to soy, (including all legumes), so if you can't quite reach full remission, at some point it might be worth avoiding soy for a while, also, to see if that makes a difference.
You may have to adjust your magnesium dosage up or down, depending on your results, but the recommended daily allowance is 400 mg, I believe, (for anyone, not just those of us who have MC).
You're very welcome, and good luck with fine-tuning your MC treatment.
Tex
You may have to adjust your magnesium dosage up or down, depending on your results, but the recommended daily allowance is 400 mg, I believe, (for anyone, not just those of us who have MC).
You're very welcome, and good luck with fine-tuning your MC treatment.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
showstopa
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- Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 10:11 am
- Location: chicago
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Hi Tex, My new on line Physician, I wish there was a way that you could bill my PPO. Your advice for the Magnesium started to give me immediate releif. If i would have went to my ordinary physician, I would have been shuffled around only for them to not have a clue as to how to handle the situation. My own GI doctor did not inform me of the possible benefits of a GF diet. My bowel movement was a success last nite. I could cleary see the difference after my magnesium intake. The movement was complete. Before is would be incomplete until my body felt like it was going to bust. Eventually i would have a super bowel movement causing chest pains and vomiting. Thank you again DR. Tex!
Also, soy only gives me a problem if i drink it whole. When i eat it processed in food such as GF waffles and other things i am okay. When i drink it whole, my stomach starts to lightly bubble. Which is doable for me. Its the mildest of reactions that i get out of all the forbidden foods. Gluten, eggs, milk, chocolate, caffeine, all makes me feel like walking dead. I start to vomit profusely, followed by chest pain and a bad D/C combo for 18 hrs straight. It takes a few days for it to kick in. So if I am "glutened" on sunday, my episode will begin Wednesday or Thursday. But soy milk, only make my stomach bubble....kinda like how milk used to do my sytem prior to MC. I used to beable to drink whole milk although it would temporarily bloat me. Soy has the same effect now. And when its processed in food. My body does not have a problem. Same with GF cheese. It does not bother me. How is this possbile Dr. Tex....if its making any sence? Also, aside from vitamin supplements, i dont not take any medication for MC. I work strictly through diet and supplements.
Also, soy only gives me a problem if i drink it whole. When i eat it processed in food such as GF waffles and other things i am okay. When i drink it whole, my stomach starts to lightly bubble. Which is doable for me. Its the mildest of reactions that i get out of all the forbidden foods. Gluten, eggs, milk, chocolate, caffeine, all makes me feel like walking dead. I start to vomit profusely, followed by chest pain and a bad D/C combo for 18 hrs straight. It takes a few days for it to kick in. So if I am "glutened" on sunday, my episode will begin Wednesday or Thursday. But soy milk, only make my stomach bubble....kinda like how milk used to do my sytem prior to MC. I used to beable to drink whole milk although it would temporarily bloat me. Soy has the same effect now. And when its processed in food. My body does not have a problem. Same with GF cheese. It does not bother me. How is this possbile Dr. Tex....if its making any sence? Also, aside from vitamin supplements, i dont not take any medication for MC. I work strictly through diet and supplements.
Hi,
That's great that it's helping so quickly. I appreciate the compliments, but as I'm sure you're aware, I'm not even close to being a physician - I'm just like all the other members here - trying to find solutions to nagging medical problems.
The reason why you can eat aged cheese is probably because it contains very little lactose, and lactose intolerance is the reason why you have trouble with milk. Anyone who is lactose intolerant cannot digest the milk sugar, so it ferments, instead, which causes bloating and gas, and sometimes, cramps.
Tex
That's great that it's helping so quickly. I appreciate the compliments, but as I'm sure you're aware, I'm not even close to being a physician - I'm just like all the other members here - trying to find solutions to nagging medical problems.
The reason why you can eat aged cheese is probably because it contains very little lactose, and lactose intolerance is the reason why you have trouble with milk. Anyone who is lactose intolerant cannot digest the milk sugar, so it ferments, instead, which causes bloating and gas, and sometimes, cramps.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.