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Sigmoid Colon, anyone?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 6/9/2011 7:07 AM (GMT 0)
My digestive system problem goes way back to when I was a kid, never had a normal day but it's not toooo bad.

Had done a endoscopy not long ago and the result is nothing major, just some minor red dots on the stomach lining so the doc said it'll heal itself, never had a major problem with the stomach other than bloating and sometimes I get irritated by food easily.

The biggest problem for me is digestion, I can never really empty my bowel properly and this feeling is uncomfortable, because of my poor digestion I'm quite skinny, I could feel my colon by pressing down on my abdomen. You might not agree but when I press down on my sigmoid colon and if there is something there, I will have the feeling that I have not finish emptying my bowel. The truth is, I will eventually empty everything out and my sigmoid colon will be emptied, I'll feel much better then. I had a colonscopy done twice in the past decade, the doc confirmed it's IBS and that's the end of story, nothing more he can do other than put me on meds that doesn't help, and I'm afraid it might turn into something nasty.

So to summarise everything, when I eat veggies especially ones with leafs, sometimes I can digest it, sometimes I can't. And because of my 'cannot empty' bowel feeling, I'll spend around half an hour in the morning and night in the toilet. Is there anyone in the same situation as me or have some suggestions for what I can do? I've tried lots of natural remedies and now I've been on Culturelle probiotic for almost a month now, not too much improvement.

 

Posted 6/9/2011 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
I have a problem where I don't empty properly and I had a test called a defecating proctogram. It showed that I had a internal bowel prolapse and a rectocele. These can cause that feeling of not emptying. Do you get the feeling of pressure in the rectum?
Posted 6/9/2011 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
In desperation when I have trouble relieving myself, I place my feet on a high stool or an upside down mop bucket. When I do this, I feel the lower area of my now wacky GI tract (I'm living w/o my sigmoid), open up and the stool slides out.

A few months ago I posted a link to an article that states that here in the US and other countries the position we are sitting while on the commode is incorrect (thighs horizontal, feet flat on the floor). We should really squat down, as if we are going outside (remembering back to my primitive camping days now) on the ground. In fact I believe it is Japan, that has toilet on the floor, flush with the floor, you squat down and this position is much better for our entire insides.

But the simple solution if this new position (knees high) helps you, while using a westernized toilet, is to elevate your feet at least 1 foot off the ground. Try it. Can't hurt.
Posted 6/10/2011 9:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi tori, no, I don't feel anything around my rectum area at all, however I could definitely feel the signoid area is bloated / there's something there. Good thing is there's no pain or anything majorly wrong.

And Marsky, I'll try your method and see if it improves. Other than that method, any food or probiotic etc you would recommend? Thanks in advance.
Posted 6/11/2011 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
The probiotic I'm on is Renew Life, Critical Colon, 80 billion count. You find these at your local health food store in the chilled section. They have several billion count varieties, so check out their website to see which one you may need. I have noticed 15, 30, 50 and 80. Then there's a massive dose one but I prefer 80 billion count.
Posted 6/13/2011 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
I notice there's a 200 billion count too. I'm guessing Renew life is working well for you? I wonder has anyone else tried it here.
Posted 6/15/2011 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Akuma, I would recommend seeing a Colon/Rectal Specialist rather than an internist for a problem like this. I also have an Internal Rectal Prolapse and one of the symptoms is the feeling of Incomplete Evacuation. It started after my gallbladder surgery, I saw my regular doctor, 2 walk in clinic doctors, my gastroenterologist and my surgeon. None of them could see or detect the problem was an Internal Rectal Prolapse, often called Intersussception or Obstructive outlet syndrome. The Colon/Rectal Specialist I am seeing recommended 2-3 glasses of Citrucel or Metamucil daily. This has helped me enormously and now I no longer have that incomplete evacuation feeling. If it ever stops working, my option is to have a Colon Resection, something I am trying to avoid.

The other thing that helps me is 25-30 grams of fiber daily, 64 oz water and regular walking for exercize. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. Ruth

Marsky, that's so funny you mentioned the problem with the American Toilet! I had just finished posting on another thread about the very same thing! LOL! Ruth
Posted 6/15/2011 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
There's one good reason why I try to avoid high fibre intake including commercially made fibre like Metamucil. This may seem weird but the more fibre I take, the more loose my stool will be. Having said that, what I really mean is my stool isn't hard and it doesn't form any shape (when I look down the toilet that is). And very often when I eat vegetables I cannot digest them compeletely whilst if I eat meat, I'm way better off to with hard stool. Oh and sometimes my whole large intestine hurts (like tummy ache) but as soon as I go to toilet, everything is normal again, even when I press down on my colon it doesn't hurt, don't know if it's normal.

I drink plenty of water and started exercise again. Didn't help in my digestive system aspect but at least I feel a bit more better physically.
Posted 6/16/2011 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Rufous - I am in a very similar situation to you. I also have the internal rectal prolapse with interssuception. I also have some small bowel prolapse too.
I get a lot of pressure in the rectum and low abdominal pain. Am starting medication to help with the pain as I am trying to put off surgery for as long as possible.

Akuma - I hope you find out what is causing your problem. Too much fibre can cause loose stool. It's hard to find that balance.
Have you had any tests by your doctor?
Posted 6/17/2011 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
Well the very last time I've seen a GP, she said since I don't have any bad symptoms it could very well be IBS playing up, the only thing she could do is refer me to do another colonoscopy which I hate to go there again.

So I hope it's safe to assume once in a while I'll get diarrhea purely due to my IBS. I'm planning to try out the PB8 probiotic but I've heard some pros and cons about it, what do you guys think?

Posted 6/17/2011 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have heard that probiotics really help some people. They have never made much of a difference with me but everyone is different.
My colonoscopy didn't show up much, it was my proctogram test that showed the internal prolapse. I go to the toilet a lot asI can' seem to pass everything in one go because of the internal prolapse.
Posted 6/21/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
So I guess we have a similar case tori. Somehow I'm suspecting I might have CD, I've done some research online but I find that many of the symptoms do not match my case right now. I think it might be CD because only my large intestine will feels uncomfortable, and if my bowel gets irritated by food, I'll get a diarrhea follow by some mucus.

Blah ... I still can't be certain what it is.
Posted 6/21/2011 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
Akuma, ever since my gallbladder surgery, I have trouble digesting raw veggies, red meat, fatty food and a lot of other things I used to like as well and as for the high fiber, I think Tori said it best, everybody is different. Have you tried calcium supplements? I also like to eat a few servings of Stonyfield Yogurt everyday, I think it helps with my digestion. The multivitatmin I take has probiotics in it, I seem to do better taking one daily. Hope you feel better soon. Ruth

Tori, yes, we do seem to suffer the same problem with internal rectal prolapse with interssuception. I am sorry to hear you're in so much pain!! You have had the defecography done already right? The first Colon/Rectal specialist I saw, only did a Digital Manual Exam(Talk about painful!!! ) I am going to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion, so far the recommended Citrucel is helping, I haven't had problems so far. Are your doctors recommending a Colon Resection? I really don't want to have this done, hoping to find other answers! Ruth
Posted 6/21/2011 1:41 PM (GMT 0)
They said that I should see surgery as a last resort. I am taking a small dose of amitriptyline for the pain and also because it slows the bowel down. I also take medication for the nausea.
The defecating proctogram is the most reliable test for any prolapse situation.
Posted 6/22/2011 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
One thing that I think I lack is probably calcium because I'm lactose intolerant and so I don't eat any dairy products. As I'm working overseas now (China), it's hard to find suitable supplements/food to take/eat. So I normally order things from the state or HK before I head back to China.

I don't see how calcium will help my situation though?

Tori, because you're in a worst situation than me, I honestly don't know what to say other than I feel sorry for you.
Posted 6/22/2011 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
Tori, I am sorry to hear you're in so much pain; hope the amitriphtline is helping. I don't do well with pain meds, it constipates me too much. I hope to get the proctogram done, I need to actually see what is going on rather than going by the one exam. Was that test painful? And yes, I think of the colon resection as an absolute last resort also. Do you mind my asking, do you ever have problems with constipation and inability to evacuate? My doctor tells me that my sphincter muscles contract rather than open up, and that's why it's so painful.

Akuma, calcium helps to stop diarrhea for many people who suffer from Bile Salt Diarrhea, not to mention it settles the stomach somewhat for me anyway. Also, since you are lactose intolerant, you still need to get calcium somehow. I was actually diagnosed as Lactose Intolerant myself, but since my gallbladder surgery, I can now drink a small amount of milk, I can eat yogurt and even small amounts of cheese. I had a DEXA scan done 2 years ago, I am close to borderline Osteopenia in my neck, so I am very mindful of getting enough calcium, I try to get mine through food because I hate to swallow pills and have to cut the calcium supplements into quarters.
Posted 6/22/2011 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
I tend to go to the toilet lots of times over the course of the day as I can't seem to 'go' all in one go. This is due to the prolapse situation. The amitriptyline slows down the bowel so I am hoping that I will have the urge to go less.
The proctogram isn't painful at all so don't worry.
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