Crohns and Colitis Exchange

Hi all,

I've had Crohn's for several years now but in the last two years or so I've had problems with constipation. They are not sure why - the motility doc didn't find anything that would explain it and my IBD GI doc is also not sure. (they found faster motility of the small intestine on barium imaging but both of them said those are unreliable studies)

That's the background. Last week I was having similar symptoms to what I had this year but I was noticeably constipated (I still had 5-7 bowel movement just very hard and small amounts). I called in and did 3 days of enemas plus Miralax. Didn't help. Then my doc had me do a Miralax bowel prep. And here's where it gets weird. I drank the prep, had another enema and started passing stool. After a few hours it was all just liquid. It didn't stop and all of next day I was passing almost clear liquid. I had trouble hydrating so last night I went to the ER to get an IV. The ER did an x-ray and found that I was STILL constipated! Dr. said that it happens sometimes that the water passes by the stool and a person doesn't clean out. I didn't believe my eyes so I called my own GI's office and the guy on call confirmed this is possible.

Today I was a little better until I had food - the docs insisted I return to my normal diet. I am very nauseous. I feel week and have a hard time moving around. I'm very bloated and it's painful in terms of a pressure pain, nothing sharp.

What do I do? Should I go back on a liquid diet? Will something else besides Miralax help? I'm very uncomfortable and can't possibly work if I keep feeling like this, but I get a feeling the docs don't care because they've ruled out anything dangerous. They just want me to "wait it out and hopefully it will clear soon."

Any suggestions you have are greatly appreciated!