Major let down today

Not sure where I belong....my GI issues do not fit neatly in any category. So forgive me if I'm in the wrong place.

Have chronic C and bowel incontinence due to nerve damage from Spina Bifida. Got a new GI doc 3 weeks ago, finally felt hopeful. Was told that I would need several tests and it was pretty certain I would need surgery and an ostomy of some sort. Anyway, had manometry tests last week, no BM since then. Called GI office, they talked to doc, called me back. He took everything into consideration, including last week's test results, and decided: 1. Need to drink another 1/2 gallon of bowel prep to clean things out (drank 1 bottle mag citrate couple days ago, NO results), and 2. Sending me back to biofeedback (different hospital). I did biofeedback a month or two ago with a woman who my GI doc considers one of the best in the country. Went to a few sessions with her, and she decided that there was nothing she could do to help me, said my colon basically didn't work.

Feeling really depressed about these two recommendations, they are both things I have tried in the past, and doc knows that. Of course, I will follow thru and do them. Just feeling like I'm not getting anywhere. I realize it will take time to sort everything out, and of course it's best to try less invasive treatments first, but I felt like things were moving ahead nicely, and now I'm taking a step backwards.

I like this new GI doc, seems really proactive, caring, spent a lot of time explaining things and getting to know my case; he was recommended to me by my urologist who had to "beg" him to take me on (he wasn't taking new patients). My previous GI doc was worthless. So, I don't want to switch. I just want things to hurry up and get the right treatment asap.

On lots of meds & OTC laxatives, etc. Have many other health problems and meds.

Am I over-reacting? Just so tired of my bowels running my life: deciding what and when I can eat, making me nauseous and bloated, cramping, staying home b/c of taking laxatives and not knowing when they might work, etc.

What do you think???

Sorry for rambling....I always end up giving lots of info, thinking too much!!

Thanks for listening!!


Sunny.

I don't think you're overreacting, but I'm not very surprised. Doctors often want to run tests with new patients, even if said patients have been through them already with their previous doc. Ditto with how they cycle the same drugs over and over again because (for Crohn's at least) there just aren't that many to choose from. Unless you are talking waiting times of several months, I'd go along with it: that way, if the biofeedback does fail for a second time, you will have far more leverage in discussing surgical options.

Severe constipation is hell. I also hope you find some relief soon.