Colonoscopy prep products MAY trigger MC

[grannyh]

Went to the GI doc today and he said there are a few doctors who are beginning to question if the preps are triggering underlying MC that might never have been a problem if not triggered by the preps. He said they are seeing an unusual increase in diagnosis for LC and CC and are starting to wonder why. Most of the new cases he has are after the people have had a colonoscopy. He is not a doctor who does "routine" colonoscopies.. he says if you have no problems on your first one you can wait 10 years for another one. He said many doctors look at doing yearly colonscopies as a money making proposition.. and he has so much other work to do that he would never do that. He is getting referrals of about one a week for people who have developed D after a colonscopy.. he rescopes them and sure enough.. there is MC of one kind or another.

[tex]

Hmmmmmm. Now that's pleasant news, isn't it.



Tex

[grannyh]

Not great news... but it does show that finally maybe someone is looking into what I suggested was the problem 8+ years ago. Although the doctor who diagnosed me did write to the makers of Visicol.. and he called them.. he got NO response. He later became a researcher full time.. just found out today he is back in practice again.. my GI doc is friends with the doctor who diagnosed me. I was the first real live case the diagnosing doctor had ever had.. he was teaching doctor in Houston. He was thrilled to see a real case.. me.. not so thrilled at having CC...LOL At the time of my diagnosis Entocort was off the market.. so I was left with a choice of live with it or prednisone.. I chose live with it and found this site (the original site).
grannyh

[Gloria]

Interesting, Grannyh. I had a colonoscopy in mid-October and came down with MC the following January. I had five weeks of D in August due to a diverticulitis attack, but it had stopped by the beginning of October.

It doesn't surprise me that there could be a connection between a colonoscopy and the onset of MC. The prep solution and "evacuation" probably throw off the balance of bacteria.

Thank you for sharing this information with us.

Gloria

[grannyh]

Since I expressed my desire to never have another scope done.. he told me to stay away from anything with the same ingredients in those preps...something to keep in mind.
grannyh

[wonderwoman]

Grannyh, Very interesting. This got me to thinking about my colonoscopy history. I am wondering if I fit into his theory.

In January of 2004 I had my first routine colonoscopy. Probably done because of my age. Then because the GI couldn’t get beyond the splenic flexure area he gave up and said I should have another one in 5 years.

In December of 2008 I had a second one. It was in 2009 that I began having a change in bowl habits. Periods of D and then normal again. Sometimes very severe and lasting a long time. Sought treatment with a different GI in Sept 2009 and then cancelled the appointment because things were going better. January 2010 I had a tooth abscess and took an antibiotic for it. D became so bad I went to the GI immediately. Sigmoid done in January 2010 and Colonoscopy in February. Dx was CC. Prescribed 9 Balsalazide a day. Began GF diet after finding this site. Was having normal BM’s with GF diet and Balsalazide, RX.

Did well until end of May, and our 3 week trip and cruise to Alaska. Came home very sick. July 2010 I was having 15-22 BM’s a day while taking 8 Pepto Bismol or Imodium. GI did a sigmoidoscopy and put me on 3 Entocort a day. Dropped to 2 Entocort after the 3rd day, then I went to one a day and now I am down to 3 Entocort a week. Some days I don’t even have a BM.

I want to get off the Entocort completely and am trying to do it gradually. I have more questions about this and will probably start a new topic to keep this for colonoscopy discussion.

[Zizzle]

The prep solution and "evacuation" probably throw off the balance of bacteria.

This is exactly my theory. My MC was not caused by a colonoscopy. Rather, the prep caused remission of my MC for several weeks. I attributed it to the washing out of the ugly mix of bacteria that caused my MC. Likewise, if your bacterial balance is good, then you wash it out, it must come back with different levels of good versus bad bacteria. Anyone undergoing colonoscopy should be required to take probiotics for a month following the procedure and eat a gut-friendly diet to try to prevent this phenomenon.

In my case I sometimes wonder if I should "clean out" again to get some relief. Or take antibiotics that also induce remission for me. But I know that's only a temporary solution.

[tcorbett]

Very Interesting thoughts! I have been trying to figure out why - when I went on a special diet for 3 months to remove all my "25 food allergy" foods - I started to get worse, I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy in March 2010 - tried prednisone, pepto etc. had a camera endoscopy a month later, (2 preps in one month) still no relief, when I tried SCD, I started to get worse - went off after 3 weeks - couldn't do it. I've been on scd since Dec 14 - past 2 weeks I am windy so easily, very tired, tingly fingers sometimes, foot cramp last night for 1/2hr. I am so frustrated! I'm not sure if my potassium dropped below my 3.4 from last month, or my borderline anemia is lowering and I also have low protein. I'm trying my best to take of myself - but this is crazy - I can't function well at all. Seems like the more good stuff I try - the worse I get! I am on Apriso - worked great first 2 weeks, now, not so well - increased by amytriptalin - still.... Arghh!

Sorry just had to voice my frustrations. I was miserable for days after each prep - such bloating and gas pains - horrible!

Thanks for listening.

Theresa

[grannyh]

I am sure everyone here can relate to your frustration. The one thing I carried away from the last 8+ years.. is to learn to be patient..LOL

Diet can take a year for remission. Entocort can take months to get D under control (if you can take it).

Remembering there is NO cure.. makes the whole journey more understandable.. the best we can work toward is a remission be it for days or years:)
grannyh

[tex]

In my case I sometimes wonder if I should "clean out" again to get some relief.

At one time, Dr. Fine was researching the use of occasional, (scheduled), cleanouts as a "maintenance" treatment for MC, but I've never heard whether or not he ever came up with any significant data.


Theresa,

Your symptoms, ("I am windy so easily, very tired, tingly fingers sometimes, foot cramp last night for 1/2hr"), suggest a possible B-12 deficiency, (or possibly a folic acid deficiency, or both, since folic acid is necessary for B-12 absorption). Those are common problems with MC, though GI docs rarely consider them. Magnesium deficiency is also a common problem with the general population, and even more so with those of us with MC, and it can also cause similar symptoms, especially the cramps and shortness of breath, (at least those are the symptoms that I have, whenever I run low on magnesium).

Tex

[grannyh]

Tex,

Thanks for the reminder about B12. I have been getting b12 shots for a couple of years now. The cramps in legs and feet seem to be under control with gatorade (which I can tolerate and is cheaper than pedialyte).

grannyh

[Kari]

Very interesting Grannyh - thanks for posting this. I went back over my records and discovered that my first colonoscopy was done around the time my MC symptoms started. It was a routine one so they did not check for MC. Because my mother had colon cancer, I was called back for a second one 3 years later (6.5 years ago). At that time, my D symptoms had become very bothersome, so I told them about it and they checked for MC - sure enough, I was diagnosed with LC. Even though I had gut problems before the first colonoscopy, it may not have developed into MC yet, so the colonoscopy just might have "flipped the switch". My 3rd colonoscopy here in Denver, probably aggravated the condition further, because it was after that it got really, really bad. If I manage to get my MC under control, I doubt I'll ever go along with another colonoscopy. I had actually already decided this before reading your post. Thanks again for posting this interesting information.

Theresa - my nutritionist recommended that I drink celtic sea salt in water for dealing with my low blood pressure. It is a "vital mineral blend" and has the following ingredient listing (under the heading of Partial Analysis): Chloride, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Sulfate and Calcium. I put a quarter of a tsp in half a cup of water and drink it in the morning. I do have more energy these days, but that's also due to no longer ingesting my "sensitive" foods. Obviously, if you have high blood pressure, this is not something you want to do - but, thought I'd mention it. Lots of luck to you, so sorry you're going through a rough time.

Love,
Kari

[tcorbett]

thank you Kari - I do have low blood pressure too! I will look for the Celtic Sea Salt too - any suggestions on where to find it?

I finally was able to do some cleaning today and made a nice dinner for once! Yeah! Getting there very slowly! I am far from a patient person when it comes to D - it's been 8 long years! Only getting worse and worse! I think that is what frustrates me most - if I never complained about it.... oh well, such is life - at least I can eat foods and don't have to be on a liquid diet!

Thanks again! Theresa

[Kari]

Hi Theresa,

I bought it at Natural Grocers (Vitamin Cottage). It's kind of pricey, but a little bit goes a long way. I haven't looked for it anywhere else, so I don't know if they sell it in regular supermarkets? Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

Love,
Kari

[Bifcus16]

The colonoscopy prep could cause more MC.

However an equally reasonable possibility is that more people with MC undergo colonoscopies - even if they don't get biopsies and instead get written off as having "IBS". ie, the doctors are doing colonoscopies on people who are reporting gut problems, not a standardised sample of the population.

An association does imply causality, without further evidence.

Lyn