IC and bowels

[Mollper23]

I'm struggling because one of the IC meds I'm on -- Imipram HCL -- tends to constipate me, and the psyllium I've been taking hasn't helped as much as I had hoped. I'm still trying to figure out what amount works for me, etc. Yesterday I took a dose of the psyllium in the evening with the required 8 oz water and had bladder spasms and frequency all night long and well into the morning. Only when I was finally able to have a bowel movement mid-morning did the spasms and extreme frequency stop. (How ironic that the laxatives require drinking so much water, which only adds to frequency, but I don't think there's any choice).

Is it common for a person's IC to react so much to bowel status? I know it's all connected down there, but I've never seen anyone else talk about this, and it has become one of the real keys of how my IC is doing.

Are there any meds for IC that don't cause constipation? I spoke to my uro about it and was told that if I wanted to stay on the Imipram, which does help my inflammation, I'd have to take metamucil twice a day. (The main ingred in metamucil is psyllium, but with other additives I'd prefer not to ingest, so I just buy it plain and in capsule form at the health food store). On top of all this, the difficult elimination has worsened my hemorrhoids! I feel like I'm in a big Catch 22 and would really like not to have any more nights like I had last night!

I'd be grateful for any input. Thanks.

[ICNDonna]

Constipation is not unusual with IC medications. One important thing to remember is that it's never a good idea to strain for a bowel movement.

I keep fleets enemas on hand for any time I have a real constipation problem. They work very well for me. I do take fiber capsules twice daily and that seems to keep me pretty regular.

Donna

[kadi]

Every time I go see my urologist he asks if I'm constipated and tells me about Colace... I guess it must be a common problem among us... It works fine, but at inconvenient moments, like in the middle of my 4th period class. The kids like nothing better than to see the teacher suddenly run out of the room... (Wouldn't that make an excellent commercial?)

Anyhow, that's what my urologist always recommends & it hasn't flared my bladder at all (and geez, everything flares it!) You might want to take it on a Friday, so it'll be out of your system by Monday (sometimes it takes a day or two to work)

Do I ever love summer vacation...the luxury of being able to go to the bathroom whenever you want... wow.

[Mollper23]

Thanks, Donna, for your reply. I know straining is bad, I've been really concerned about it. The fleet enema tip is excellent. I'll definitely keep a few on hand. Guess I'll keep doing this til I get it right!

Mollper23

[Mollper23]

I've never heard of Colace. Is it a prescription laxative or can I get it in a drugstore? I'm definitely interested. Thanks for mentioning it.

Boy, do I agree that being able to use the bathroom whenever you want is A+! One "bonus" (ha) of having IC is that I know where the bathroom is virtually everywhere I go, or if I don't, it's the first thing I check out!

Thanks for your reply.

Mollper23

[Katrina]

Just letting you know you are not alone...there are many of us with bowl problems as well with our IC.....

Sorry you are suffering...I don't have any great advise since my problems tend to lean more often towards diarehia and when I am constipated it is because of my pouchitis...sorry


Hope you are better soon

:kiss:

[kadi]

Colace is an over the counter stool softener. I find it rather strong, so maybe the first time try 1 capsule, not the full dose...

The things we wind up talking about with IC!!

[blue]

I use Colace without any problems.

[Mollper23]

Katrina,

Your words are a comfort. Thank you. I wish you the best in your recovery, too.

Mollper23:

[Mollper23]

I saw my doctor today, and he recommended Colace, too. I'm going to try it. Until yesterday I'd never heard of it. Appreciate your suggestion about dose . . . and yes, IC does get us talking about personal stuff! Shyness fades when help is needed, I think.

Best to you.

Mollper23 :)

[Mollper23]

Hope I'll be as lucky. Thanks for the encouragement.

Mollper23 :)