| Author |
Topic: colon issues (sorry) |
ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-02-2005 07:19 AM
   
Wherestheportajohn-I am so glad that you are going to see a GI. I am betting that you have UC. Please let us know what happens after the dr. appt. I'm sure they'll schedule a colonoscopy.------------------
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Abolyen
Member |
posted Apr-04-2005 07:22 PM
Just to add my two cents worth.
I have also had the same issues discussed in this thread (loose bloody stool during run , urgency, incontinence etc) I have had the dreaded colonoscopy to rule out anything "sinister"( a must I'm afraid folks just to be on the safe side. ) So armed with the diagnosis of ischemic colon I set about to tackle the symptoms. Immodium is no good for me as it causes me to double up with side stitches around mile two. What has helped me is a regular dose of psyllium husk capsules (metamucil or the store brand equivilant) I take six caps twice a day in order to maintain a regular BM. It has really helped . There are still times when I have to sprint for the bushes but these are fewer and fewer. Before a race I find that pre race nerves and a good warm up run usually get thing going so I can take care of business before the race starts. I think generally everyone has to experiment with diet and meds to find their solution.
Good luck
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-05-2005 07:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Abolyen:
Just to add my two cents worth.
I have also had the same issues discussed in this thread (loose bloody stool during run , urgency, incontinence etc) I have had the dreaded colonoscopy to rule out anything "sinister"( a must I'm afraid folks just to be on the safe side. ) So armed with the diagnosis of ischemic colon I set about to tackle the symptoms. Immodium is no good for me as it causes me to double up with side stitches around mile two. What has helped me is a regular dose of psyllium husk capsules (metamucil or the store brand equivilant) I take six caps twice a day in order to maintain a regular BM. It has really helped . There are still times when I have to sprint for the bushes but these are fewer and fewer. Before a race I find that pre race nerves and a good warm up run usually get thing going so I can take care of business before the race starts. I think generally everyone has to experiment with diet and meds to find their solution.
Good luck
interesting suggestion....did you do the metamucil because you were low on ALL fiber intake within your daily diet? I take in plenty of fiber [soluble and insoluble] within my daily food plan, but wonder if the large amount of soluble fiber in metamucil is what I lack....I need to go over my daily journal and make some kind of comparison. thanks for your input [This message has been edited by wherestheportojohn (edited Apr-05-2005).]
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Abolyen
Member |
posted Apr-05-2005 07:21 PM
I try to maintain a well balanced diet including complex carbs whole grains etc but the extra fiber that I get from the metamucil just seems to keep thing moving better.
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2005 05:20 AM
Okay, I'm convinced to try the metamucil, since you're the second person [someone else from another board] who recommended it.After comparing my consumption of soluble v insoluble fiber, I see that even tho I take in more than the MDR of fiber for women, I'm really out of balance with the two types. I'll give it a shot, eh?
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2005 05:54 AM
Thought I would just add that my GI put me on a Metamucil type aid when I was first diagnosed with UC. There must be something in it that helps the colon out, even if you eat a lot of fiber.------------------
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steffiefay
unregistered |
posted Apr-07-2005 08:04 AM
I know a lot of you are ganna think this sounds CRAZY....but eliminating red meat from your diet may help... 4 years ago or so I had weird stomach and "colon" problems....became a strict vegetarian and have no problems...it can't hurt and it's really good for you....granted the longest I've ever ran is 6 miles...but I ran it with no pain....hope that helps some....steph
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-07-2005 04:08 PM
thanks for the red meat suggestionpersonally, I eat red meat only once in a blue moon, and my running-with-GI-issues are constant...so I'm sure that's not my problem but thanks for the suggestion/it might work for others on this thread
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-08-2005 12:52 PM
Greetings to Wherestheportajohn, Shelley and all others who have to deal with this wonderful affliction! Well tommorrow I'm in a 10K with 17,000 other people- think of me and send a blessing my way, OK?. I've done this one before and they have TONS of portajohns, which is comforting. I'm setting my alarm for 5 AM to give myself plenty of time before the 8:30 start! Have a great weekend all!
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-08-2005 03:49 PM
Ann,
GOOD LUCK and have fun!
You'll be fine, I bet!My sis is doing a very fun local 5k tomorrow...but I am so paranoid, that I won't do it with her.
Last year I ran an 8k, a 10k, and did a Duathlon.
For all three events, I took WAY to much imodium, stressed out, po0o0ped about a thousand times beforehand...and stressed even more! I will not be signing up for any events until I get this issue resolved.
Today I did 5 miserable [sluggish legs, leaky colon] miles in weather that was too HOT for me at this early stage of Wisconsin's spring. LOL
I don't tolerate heat AT ALL, so 62 degrees in early April simply ruined my run.
And hey, now I get to go outside and wash windows!
Oh joy!
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-08-2005 04:35 PM
Thanks Karen! I'm currently neurosing about what to eat tonite. Decided on Chicken Parmesian take out from a local restaurant, (a very little) salad, roll. Not too little, not too much. I need to eat the EXACT right amount....And I need to stop worrying about the race because that definitely makes it worse.
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-09-2005 01:48 PM
I did it! 
And I ran it 2 WHOLE seconds faster than last year! My colon cooperated beautifully. Last nite it was really giving me trouble so I was SO thankful it behaved. Once I read on some forum that this guy swore by his 2 hard-boiled eggs before every race. I've been doing that 2-3 hrs before my races. I haven't had problems since I started doing this; of course it could be just a coincidence...(who knows!)...Took one immodium last nite, one this morning.
YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-09-2005 04:43 PM
YAHOO!!! Ann!!
WTG... a race PR and a po0op PR!
now go and write down everything you ate, and what routine you used to prep for the raceI'm going to have to try the hardboiled egg trick.....I had one major pit stop during my little 3.5 tempo run this morning.
But isn't it a royal pain to have to angst about this stuff before each and every run?
I have often been this >< close to quitting running because of it.
::Congrats again::
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nyterunner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-09-2005 10:15 PM
Just happened to stop by this site, similar problems but not anywhere near as bad, but I couldn't stop reading. Dang! You poor souls.
Anyway, I work in surgery. There is a procedure called SECCA (not exactly sure what it stands for) that a rectal surgeon in our area (Michigan) does for fecal incontinence. The procedure actually is done under local anesthesia with sedation, only takes about half an hour, and what it basically does is cause "burns" to the muscle which in turn causes growth of scar tissue, which in turn gives more of a feeling when you need to go. I'm sure information could be found on this topic online somewhere. I hope this helps someone. I will try to find more info and if I do, will come back and post again. Good luck to all of you!
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-09-2005 11:28 PM
wherestheportajohn thanks for the congrats-and to the guy who had info about the surgery in Michigan - I'd love to hear more about it.
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ShelleyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-10-2005 11:03 AM
Ann-Congratulations on your run. I'm going to have to try the hb egg trick also. I had the feeling today that I would have problems, so I ran around my neighborhood. There is quite a bit of construction going on, so there a many portapottys nearby. I never know if I should use them or not, but when it's an emergency, I'm sure they don't mind. Nobody's there on Sunday anyway. As it turned out my 12 mile run was fine. I did make a pit stop just in case! As far as the procedure that was talked about: I don't have a problem of being able to tell when I have to go. It just comes really fast, and can't be held in. ------------------
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-10-2005 04:28 PM
shelly,
that's my problem too--> I know what's coming and if i can't find anywhere to go FAST, then it's doomsday for meOh, and I use constructions site portopotties all the time [any port in a astorm, eh?] as well as gas stations, restaurants, even local businesses if nothing else is available.
Once I saw a woman coming out of her condo to get her paper and I BEGGED to use her powder room...she was great and let me in. HAHA! I love living in a friendly community!
Did a fun 4 on the TM at 5am this morning before heading out to my son's soccer tourney.
I needed to bolt upstairs for one pit during the first 1/2 mile, then the rest of the run was a breeze.
have a great rest of the weekend, all
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wherestheportojohn
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-12-2005 05:21 PM
I'm not letting this thread die...no matter how hard you try to kill it
OY!for those keeping score:
it seems as if the combo of 1 imodium + the 2x/daily dosage of metamucil has slowed things down for me during my runs Only 1 pit per run this week....amazing OTOH, it is still necessary to MAKE that pit even in 3, 4, and 5 mile shorty runs....so some work is still in order. carry on
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sandijam
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-12-2005 09:54 PM
I'm really disappointed as I thought this had gone away but again during my run today, I had to stop due to stomach cramps and then after I went to the washroom (#2) I was fine and this was after having a regular BM in the am and also after taking an imodium. Someone suggested maybe it's something I' eating that I'm allergic to. I was thinking maybe milk. Any suggestions?
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-13-2005 04:54 AM
sandijam, I would definitely test the dairy theory because it's such a common allergy. Good luck!
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dobe runner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-13-2005 07:02 AM
I take Slippery Elm capsules 2x's a day. They are an anti-spasmodic and work wonders for me. Unlike Immodium they will not (jeez I couldn't think of a another word) constipate you unless you are eating no fiber at all. It is very important to take them on a regular basis if you use them. They do not build up resistance that I can tell. I have been on them for a year now and I am so much happier. I was never able to go anywhere due to IBS. Now I don't have to constantly think about where the restrooms are.
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CSuzette
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-13-2005 12:16 PM
I would like to know more about the biofeedback expert in Wellsley, MA. Thanks!Suzette
Boston, MA ps: I sympathize with your pain...but I wouldn't bother with the GI doctors. Not one of them ever helped me. I now take the Imodium with some limited success. It is possible that I need to take more than one in the morning. But, somewhere I read that it can depress the central nervous system and effects something about sweating. This might be only a minor side-effect, but if you are doing a lot of running it could be a concern.
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acp50
unregistered |
posted Apr-13-2005 03:24 PM
hey dobe runner, Oh I know what you mean about the restrooms. I know where the restroom is in every restaurant, store, gas station. You name it, I've gone to the bathroom there! It's so nice to speak openly here- my family does not want me to talk about my problem (ah, will it then go away or cease to exist?..no....) Never heard of Slippery Elm, but I'm definitely going to try it. Do I get it at a nutrition store? Immodium has worked for me, but I did take two last week before a 10 K, then was constipated the next two days, which wasn't fun...(but definitely better than the alternative!). Thanks for the info!
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dobe runner
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-13-2005 04:54 PM
acp50You can find them in a health food store. They run about $6-$10 for 100 capsules. I don't remember seeing them in GNC though.
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sandijam
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-13-2005 08:25 PM
who would have thought that this was such a popular topic of conversation
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