Constipation after Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy

[tennisforums]

Okay, so I have Ulcerative Colitis. Since my colonoscopy and gastroscopy almost a week ago, my digestive system hasn't functioned properly and I feel constipated. Is this common following the procedure?

[snowness]

discouraged to read all this but happy to hear I'm not the only one having constipation issues _after_ having colonscopy. Used Propopikfor the first time and while it made the prep so much easier  (and my procedure photos are textbook perfect!) I'm wondering if Prepopik was the cause? I've had numerous colonoscopies over the past 15 years due to having Celiac Sprue (Dr's orders: upper & lower every 3 yrs) This is the first time I have had post-procedure constipation. feeling miserable and exhauting the natural remedies. Used to take Sennakot with my pain meds until last comonscopy showed some pitting from taking it (sennakot/senna) daily. So I stopped and have made pre and pro-biotics of every persuasion my best friends. Ugghhhh!!!!

[sammy4229]

I am glad I am not the only one going through this agonizing pain and discomfort. I had my first colonoscopy in 2012 and I had no problem afterward and my second one in 2016. I was able to have regular bowel movement and every once in awhile I would get constipated and would just take a laxative to fix the problem and it did just that. I am very thankful for all of your comments I will try the prunes and the probiotic. Can anyone tell me does probiotic work if you have had your gal bladder removed. Good luck to all

[Ameilda]

I had my first colonoscopy on 8/1/14. No one in the Endoscopy Center warned or prepared me for the adverse symptoms after a colonoscopy like severe constipation.  I appreciate all the insightful advice and tips on the Constipation after Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy Discussion.  About 7-10 days after my colonoscopy, I got  severly constipated  after my procedure. Weekly, I have been spending 30 minutes to an hour in painful agony in the bathroom at home or outside with false evacuation sensations, halfway painful bowel movements, and rear bleeding etc. Sometimes this includes sleepless nights etc.  Recently, I  increased fiber in my diet by adding one spoonful of  Chia Seeds (sold at Trader Joe or Costco) in  my 20oz or 33 oz of bottle water and eating more fruit.  From this blog, I am very relieved that I am not the only one who is suffering and appreciate the wonderful and helpful feedback. Please consult primarily with your doctor if planning to use over the counter medication or natural herbs or a combination of these to treat this problem.  My gastroenterologist recommended that I use Preparation H medicated  hemorrhoid wipes (not flushable - sold at drug store chains) or buy a generic one which is cheaper.  Please read the usage and warning label completely. The non-flushable medicated hemorrhoid wipes are used right after wiping your rear completely with toilet paper from a bowel movement. It does soothe the rear after a painful bowel movement. I plan to use some of the other suggestions from this discussion.  I hope the best for everyone in this dilemma.

[RobertaCentralFl]

I was very regular before Colonoscopy 2011 and 2013, I noticed enlarged stomach and constipation since.  Be sure to take probiotics to replace the friendly bacteria that is destroyed by antibiotics and colonoscopies.  I have been taking probiotics from the frig at my local health food store.  
  I still was not regular and started using a laxative as I was on a cruise.  Now I am using about 4 prunes AM and PM and about 4 black olives (for oil) during the day.  I am again regular!  Good luck.
Roberta

[cindi45]

Have IBS and had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago.  Used to have diarrhea 3-4 times a day prior to the colonoscopy.  Now, I would give anything for some diarrhea. Now it is constipation city + bloating.  Keep posting - there has to be a good solution.

[Olive1170]

April 9, 2012. Even tho you wrote almost 2 yrs ago, I can agree w/ u. I had colonoscopy & parastomal hernia repair surgery (for colostomy) and have been blowing up like a balloon for 2 weeks no. Yesterday, the bloating and associated pain was unbearable=torture! It's now becomiing the worst part of recuperating. I've always drank alot of liquids, but I was taking narcotics for the surgery, which bound me up even more. Luckily, my doc prescribed a prescription of
Senna Plus, stool softner & laxative. Unfortunately, wasn't enough to relieve my symptoms. Had to call doc 2day cuz I was up w/ sharp jabbing pains every 2 hours last night. He said, try walking around the house, stick to liquids til symptoms subside. So walking has helped even tho I walk the length of my house back & forth for only 10 minutes at a time & then need another nap. Gas-x was also highly recommended. & i don't care who's around, i'm more than happy to release some gas to get rid of this bloating & pain! Fresh fruits & vegs are also highly recommended, but i don't feel like eating anything! I might have also loaded up too much on prunes. Prunes provide one type of fiber, & u need other kind to got along with it. (I can't remember which one is soluble or insoluable) So, your comment did help in reinforcing what i've learned from different sources on the internet including forums like this one. It's a horrible feeling being afraid to eat becuz u don't know what kind of pain u'll have. Wish they could've just sent me home w/ an IV of necessary nutrients. Best of luck to all of you. Despite our situations with our bowels, I still detect a little humor in these posts, which all we can really do, huh?

[bowelbabe]

Had colonoscopy April 2010. Was already having some digestive problems; after colonoscopy the problems increased, especially bowel problems (I call it the "sluggish drain"), & I've been calling the doctor about 2x a week. He has recommended various things, and what seems to work best so far for me is Stool Softener.
   There are basically 2 kinds - docusate calcium & docusate sodium. Doctor prefers "docusate calcium" for long-term use. The only brand I know of is Kaopectate (make sure you don't buy the diarrhea remedy). It's hard to find, but Walgreens makes their own generic brand so I've been using that for almost a week & things seem to be settling down. I tried Miralax and, while it worked, seemed to increase the bloating.
   Also, believe it or not, Gas-X (simethicone) seems to help quite a bit. Sometimes the symptoms are caused by gas but it sure feels like something else - stabbing pains & a blocked sensation. So try that, too. Simethicone is pretty harmless, no side effects that I know of. (You just have to put up with the farts, but it's worth it!) ;-]
   Hope this helps anyone who reads it...

[carrs]

Jan 2009 Colonoscopy....immediate bloating...huge...within 6 months 12 inches on waist....also poor bowel movements....prior to C....you could set your clock by me....and cleansing....now,   most of time difficult, fairly regular, but generally small....colonoscopy equates with death....nothing but medical problems since...it has complicated Atrial Fib which I have had for 0ver 20 years....The big lump which is not me makes it almost impossible to breathe...does anyone have any knowledge of how to get rid of this huge balloon--it is not fat..like some of you I've been told to drink more fluids....I've always had more fluid than the normal "drinker."  For years when in restaurant I'd tell waitron to leave th pitcher of water...I drink well over a coule of quarts of liquids a dy....any references to ANY SOURCE would be helpful

[VicLyn1965]

My colonoscopy was in April of 2006.  I, too, have had a constipation problem ever since.  I, too, have discussed this to my primary physician (AND, anyone else who would listen).  I haven't tried the Colon Cleanser yet.  I resort to laxatives, but often become immune, so have to stay off for a day or two, but always come back to.  The more fiber I eat, the more laxatives I take, just aggravates the situation.  The bloating feels like if I were to scrape up against a sharp object will explode.  I often would look 9 months pregnant.  Recently have started an over the counter product suggested by OBGYN called Align, and also stopped eating yogurt (for digestive health), and the bloating ??somewhat?? better, but still resorting to laxatives.  What results, good or bad, do you get with the Colon Cleanser?  Same as laxatives?

[jukar]

I had a colonoscopy several years ago and have had a constipation problem ever since.  I mentioned it to my primary care physician and she just says drink more fluids.   The only way that I can have a bowel movement is if I take a Colon Cleanser (vitamin store) each day.

[Dinvaut]

I, like others on this site have not had a bowel movement for three days since the colonscopy. Does the colonoscopy cause constipation?  If not, what could be causing the constipation?  What ended up happening to you?
I hope everything turned out O.K.
Dinvaut

[Shebah]

Hey Tennis,

I have been looking to see how things went. So sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with UC.

Constapation is just as "normal" as diarreah with UC. You might experience periods of both, or any combination of the two.

With 3 small movements in 10 days I will be the first to belive the symptoms you are having. I think you should call your GI and talk to him about it.

The problems could be from your meds. What meds did they put you on?

You can also try avoiding bananas and rice, and eat proactive yoghurt or any yoghurt with probiotics. If you dont like yoghurt you can buy probiotics in any health store. It will help regulate your bowels.

I don't think you need to worry about toxic megacolon. Try to read as much as you can, and find out what kind of food you can tolerate. I found that small portions of non fatty foods are the best for me. I eat alot of eggs, pork, fish and so on. I try to limit the bread I eat and I stay away from white bread all together.

Fruit and vegetables are very good. I tolerate all of them, so I am lucky in that sense.

Hope things work out for you, and if you need support this is a great forum for UC: http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38

Hope you feel better soon!

[tennisforums]

Okay it's been getting worse. I have had maybe three unsubstantial movements in the past 10 days and I feel mild discomfort, chest pain and rapid heartbeats especially after eating. I can almost feel the blockage and it is getting to be annoying.

Have gained about 3kgs in this time after barely eating a thing, so I feel like I could be completely blocked up. In fact, I have a very slight build and I would go as far as to say that the bloating is physically visible.

Should I be worried about Toxic Mega Colon or a bowel obstruction?

[Ms_Makita]

Hi! I had colonscopy in May ,and had constipation to after procedure luckily they said it was just ibs causing my pain.At one point they thought it was colitis,from what dr explained to me constipation may develop during active flare -ups of ulcerative colitis, because the inflamed rectum triggers a reflex response in the colon that causes it to retain the stool,and its also common to have painful urge for bowel movement and cant ,even if  the rectum is empty,this is called Tenesmus.Keep up on fiber,fluids,and being active helps alot.Good luck to you and Happy Holidays!
                          Steph