IBS - Constipation - Does a bowel movement improve your IC symtoms?

[Christine35]

I am constipated on a regular basis. I use to resort to taking Zelnorm 1- 2 times a week to relieve myself. I think it is really rough on the body because it forces you to go a lot within 1 - 2 hours after taking the pill!! (I feel dehydrated and tired after the whole experience.) I just started taking Casacara (herbs - 2 capsules per day at bedtime) and Herbal Tea (Laci Le Beau - 1 tea bag 2 times per week). So far it seems to be working well. I am trying to do it the natural way. I believe they are more gentle on the body. I also try to incorporate as much fiber as I can tolerate in without irritating my bladder. It is a vicious cycle!!

If I do have some luck and have a good bowel movement every day for 3-5 days I notice that my IC symptoms improve very much. The pressure, frequency and urgency is almost completely gone.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, do you think by having the stool in your body for several days it creates toxins that irritate your bladder? If you eat too many carbs (breads, rice, pasta, flour etc.) do you think that could add to your yeast growth causing irritation to the bladder? The Chinese theory behind IC mentions that having improper balance of yeast and/or bacteria in the body could cause IC.

I am wondering if frequent (every day) normal bowel movement could greatly improve IC symptoms??:hmm:

[Sarojini]

Well, I have heard that constipation makes IC worse, yes... there are various theories as to why, but I think the most popular is that repeated attempts to have a b.m. and any straining can put stress on pelvic muscles and make the bladder worse.

So it's important to try and stay regular, but not too regular... I have diarrhea-predominant IBS, and if that flares up I find my IC goes nuts too, from the repeated bowel movements during flares.

It's like there's a delicate balance with bowel movements... have either too many or two few and the IC flares...

[debzx]

Hi Christine!!

this is a subject i feel is related also to my symptoms too!!

I have IBS but my movements are never soft more like "rabbit droppins" I feel that if i havent been for a few days when i do go i feel drudgey!! iffy and sickly!!

also noticed a pattern now and after a moevment 9 out of 10 times i feel like infecis brewing?? i am wondering if my bowel is leaking toxins into my bladder hence causing recurring infecs??

i am going to discuss this with my Gp as i really am beginning to think that there is a link.

debzx

[ICNDonna]

I also have to take extra fiber to avoid constipation, along with colace to keep a soft stool. Constipation can absolutely flare an IC bladder. I think it's partially from the pressure. Straining is never good.

Donna

[shell]

I've had constipation all my life, and the longer it's been since a bm the worse my IC can get. I was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, and my GI put me on a mild prescription laxative (Miralax). I'm now down to half a dose daily and it really helps keep me regular.

[plaedes]

I have had IBS my whole life and never even gave it a second thought until I got IC. I have definately noticed that during my "constipation week" my IC is worse and once I have a bm it is better. At this point though it doesn't seem to effect things as much as diet and all of the other triggers.

[Calli]

I certainly feel better when I get empty and I 100% feel more pain when I am full and constipated. The pain is then like mild menstrual pain but on the sides I can get quite a pain attack. Thats why I always, when I can't go quickly on the toilet, use something ( like herbal tea) to get my bowels clean as quickly as possible.

I agree 100% that a bowel is a breeding area for all kind of diseases. Wjy do you think that some people do clismas regularly or fast a lot of times?

[tillysav]

YES ... constipation HURTS and makes my IC pain a lot WORSE! I take colace or milk of magnesia at night and drink prune juice in the morning. If there is a more "natural" way, I would love to know about it. So far I haven't found anything "natural" that works.

[debzx]

Hi

Got some prune juice today!!& a tin of prunes!! had 2 full glasses ( hoping it would help!!) as its 3 days since i went!! have had Fiber-orange husk, and 2 movicol sachets, also fruit veg and fish!! lots of water feel really bloated!! but bet a still dont go Lol.


debzx

[jala]

IBS really increases my bladder pain. If I don't go each morning or if I have diarrhea, I can be sure to have a flare soon after.

I find that my IBS is caused by foods my system can't digest. I found out I am allergic to wheat and it is the worst. If I eat wheat, I won't go for a week.

Many ICers have food intolerances. Mine usually causes me to lock up, followed by a major and painful explosion (not to mention gas). When this happens, it has a domino effect on my bladder, my hormones, my personality and everything else. If I can control the IBS, I usually feel pretty good. If I eat the wrong thing, I'll be in pain and impossible to live with. Jala.

[blue]

I also have IBS, I've had it my entire life. I'm always constipated! I know, fun, fun! Yes, when I'm severly constipated, my bladder hurts more. I don't know why, but it does. I take colace every day, and it seems to help. Colace doesn't give me the cramping that laxatives do.

[ad8123]

ok I have a disgusting question, i have constipation followed by severe diahreha for about a day. My bowl movements are painful lots of cramping, sweating, nausua but they are also mucusy and Green???? Has anyone heard of this? I have some food allergies that are unavoidable and have always dismissed the mucus that way but it is wirse since the IC?????

[JAMIEL]

I have horrible constipation...I do take stool softeners but I think I need to start taking something else too...Are prunes or prune juice IC friendly??? I have been staying away from it thinking it was no good for the IC....

Jamie :confused:

[blue]

I'm not sure if prunes are IC safe or not. I hate prunes. My parents used to make me drink prune juice every day, after I was hospitalized for constipation! YUCKY!

I think sometimes the liquidy bowel movements also are a sign of constipation. The Gastrointerologist explained it, as the liqued is going around the blockackage in the intestine. You can appear to have diahrrea, and still be constipated.

[Julie Smith]

HI AD8,

You asked if it was normal to have the green muscus, NO. muscous does show up w/ me often, but never green. I would definitely call your gp or gasterologist.

Good Luck to you,
Julie:thumbsup:

[Julie Smith]

Hi all,

I'm not feeling well at all, another ibs,ic flare up. so quickly after the last one just 3-4 weeks ago. I'm making sure to drink water, jello, white toast, 7-up. For whatever reason, at this time this is the only foods i can eat. If you remember, last month, i had flare for 6 days and ended up having to go to hospital bc I couldn't void for 2 days (if you can imagine!) They cath me, only 420 cc, so they said I must have been really dehydrated. all my labs were normal so they let me go home.

i feel very weak,lots of pain, all i can do is lay down in a ball in the bed or sofa. With the meds i've added so i can try to get some relief, i slept last 3-4 days away. Literally, when i awaken, i take meds with my toast and 7-up and don't know how I could sleep so long. Must be the sick feeling, tired i have every day.

Today is day 3 and i just feel so sick, am I already dehydrated? My parents are coming to visit, fri. so I'll try and hang in there till then. I don't want to visit the hospital and have them say , labs are fine, go home. i'm so desperate now. i'll call my pc, bc gastro in europe for a month, he does have a partner. Usually by the time i see them, they send me right to er for admission.

ok, i'll let you know. i want to go back to sleep, woke up 3:45.

Goood luck to rest and hope everyone is feeling better.

Julie :kiss: :confused: :angel: :mad:

[sms]

what is colace and where do you get it?

[sunshine_77us]

I also have IBS and I've been consitpated for the last 3 weeks. I was wondering if anyone has taken Lactulose. Lactulose is a type of sugar. It is broken down into mild acids in the colon (the end part of the instestinal tract). These acids draw water into the colon and thereby soften the stool. It is used to treat constipation. The dr. gave it to my sister to use on her niece. She is handicapped (30 years old) and can do nothing for herself. Her bowels were inpacted and then the dr. put her on this. I wonder if anyone has tried it and if it is safe if you have IC.

[blue]

Colace is an over the counter stool softener. It is with the laxatives.

[sunshine_77us]

I was in 2 stores yesterday evening looking for Colace and the only thing I could find had laxatives in them. Isn't there a stool softener without the laxative? Also the ones I looked at had #40 red dye. Isn't that bad for IC? I know I can't have yellow dye. It tears my bladder up.:(

[blue]

I just purchased some the other day from Walmart. It was the Equate brand. Try walmart in the Laxative Isle!

[sunshine_77us]

Ok, Thanks Blue, I will check at Walmart.

[blue]

Check CVS Pharmacy, also. I just saw their ad today, and they are on sale.

I don't know about the dye colors that you are allergic to.

[debzx]

Hi All

I decided on "bran flakes for while!! and within a week have begun to go at least once a day!! ( yippee) have never been so regular!! i do feel alot better, perkier with more energy!!even been infection free for about a month and a half now so even better!! Am currently waiting for a pottasium test from my nurse practisioner.


cheers


debzxx

[Lyn40]

I eat oatmeal almost every morning. That is not a bowel regulating fiber, but I was told by my Uro to eat wheat bran with it. So I put 2 tbls. of wheat bran on top of my oatmeal. When that isn't enough, I take a Fibercon pill once a day. I also think a pear a day helps as well.

Lyn