Impaction + IC = Ugh :(

**glassd18** · 11-17-2010, 04:12 PM

Today was the most miserable day. I had a fecal impaction probably due to Ativan, and diet. It was so horrible. Have an impaction is bad enough, but couple that with IC, and OMG I thought I was going to die

The rectal pain was unbearable...I had to leave work and then couldn't return as planned. I was in too much pain. I'm better now thankfully my bladder is not screaming as loudly as it was. I drank prune juice (didn't work), suppositories (didn't work), and finally a Fleet Enema, and finally results, but not without soooo much pain.

Thanks for listening...

***ICNDonna*** · 11-18-2010, 12:57 AM

If constipation is a frequent problem for you, I suggest you talk with your doctor. I had a fecal impaction just once --- after a surgery. I ended up in ER to have it cleared. I didn't dare strain at all.

Donna

**glassd18** · 11-18-2010, 04:52 AM

Thanks Donna. That was a first for me since childhood. I had been eating Ezekial English Muffins with seeds, and a lot of cashews, and I don't think that did me any favors!!! I know next time to not strain, and go straight for the Fleet Enema!!!! I am making an appointment with my Gastroenterologist. What an experience

**SoTiredofIC** · 11-20-2010, 02:24 PM

Hi,

I've had IBS-constipation since I was an infant, I went to see a Gastro in 1988, he told me to take Metamucil (NOT THE ORANGE KIND!) and Milk of Magnesia. My "get enough fiber so I don't suffer diet" is as follows:

Breakfast: Fiber One "Honey Clusters" cereal 13 grams of fiber + two "Fiber Gummies" = 5 grams (18 grams of fiber total)
Lunch: Whatever and then I have 2 more Fiber Gummies = 5 grams. I also usually have some sort of fruit which has 1 or 2 grams.
After Dinner, Konsyl (warning: Tastes like *&^%) 6 grams of fiber per teaspoon(has to have SOMETHING going for it!

) X3 = 18 more grams plus 3 teaspoons of Milk of Magnesia (the cherry or mint are the best, the plain is kinda yucky tasting...) I usually have about 50 grams of fiber a day and it WORKS!!!!!!

Before I started on Konsyl, I took the Metamucil "Original Rough Texture" (Target sells it in the 114 serving size for about $10, Wal-Mart sometimes has it too.)

Hope this helps!!

My drug "cocktail" for IC is:

Elmiron: 3 per day
Bentyl: 2 per day
Vistaril: 1 at night
Elavil: 1 at night
Tramadol: 2 per day
Cytotec: 4 per day

I felt pretty good with the top 5, but when my angel of a urologist let me add Cytotec, well, I feel pretty great all day, every day! I'm not in remission because if I eat something stupid, my bladder is QUICK to remind me that the food is a no-no but if I watch what I eat and don't do any kind of exercise that pinches my stomach, I'm pretty good!

**glassd18** · 11-20-2010, 03:25 PM

Thanks SoTiredofIC. I have been fine since I stopped eating the Ezekial English Muffins with seeds. I think the seeds did me in. I do not have diagnosed IBS, but all signs point to it. I am extremely diet sensitive, and medication sensitive so I haven't had much luck finding an IC recipe that works for me. I use Ativan at night to sleep, and watch my diet, and use on occassion Acetaminphen suppositories. I take Prelief as well, and that may be adding to the troubles as it's an antacid. I have Cytotec as well, but it made me feel strange, but I should try it again. I also have GERD (Acid Reflux) pretty badly as I have a hiatial hernia. There is a Whole Foods brand of fiber that doesn't have any preservatives or dyes that I will start to take. I also tried Acacia Fibre, but that seemed to make my troubles worse. I tried Greek Yoghurt, not sure if it flared me.

I'm so glad for you that you are doing so well. I took Atarax and it knocked me out way too much, and depressed my breathing, and that was on a 1/2 tab. It's not an option for me. Elavil flared me. I even had it compounded for me with calcium carbonate only and it still flared me. I found one pharmacy that makes it without dyes so I might try that, but the compounding pharmacist told me that it might just be the amitriptyline itself...sigh...

**Bromwynn** · 11-27-2010, 07:30 PM

I've had two blockages this year. had to go to the er every time and every time they told me it was the pain meds. funny cuz I wasn't taking alot of pain meds at the time. I think they forget elavil and flexeril and many other meds can plug us up. I'm so happy to hear your doing good. constipation and IC is awful - I look forward to the day they can treat it without all the meds that we have to take. I've even tried to eliminate meds that possibly might be the big contributing factor with my body,but then I worry I leave myself vulnerable to a flare. I don't recommend it.

I use miralax every other day and culturelle now. so far its ok and i almost feel normal.

/crossing my fingers for ya

hugs
bromwynn

**glassd18** · 11-28-2010, 04:22 AM

Thanks for your input Bromwynn

I agree that the meds slow down our gastric systems for sure. My Dad had cancer (he passed away last April), and he was on mega doses of Fentanyl, Morphine, and Tylenol sometimes too (poor man), and he had to take Colace, and Senakot all the time. He had a colostomy so it was even more crucial that things kept flowing properly. I have since been trying to add more IC friendly veggies, and fruits, and exercise, which can be a challenge with IC. I walk the dogs for 30 minutes, and hopefully don't have to go for that 30 minutes...sigh...The other thing that I think is so important that I didn't really listen to well enough was to not strain. It's so hard to strain when you feel like you have to go either # 1 or # 2. I have been trying to go and get off the pot even with that feeling of I've still got to go as I believe I've screwed up my muscles, and it is probably contributing to my pain. I am glad that yesterday I had a pretty good day for the first time in a long time, but I've been off work so my stress level is way down. It tells me alot!!! I'm so glad you are feeling almost normal. I am hoping and praying for the day that I (we) feel normal.

***Julie B*** · 11-28-2010, 07:26 AM

I hope you get some answers from the gastro. If you think the seeds could be the culprit, it may be diverticulosis.

I really like the Metamucil capsules like some of the others have mentioned. That and the Activa yogurt.....vanilla and blueberry are ok for me.

**glassd18** · 11-28-2010, 07:36 AM

Thanks Julie. I tried the Ezekial Muffins with seeds again so we'll see what happens :O I don't know if I can eat yogurt

I'll have to try and see. I love it so it would be great if I could tolerate it. I did try greek yogurt (blueberry and vanilla), but not sure if I flared. I wasn't that crazy on the taste of greek yogurt.