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I could really use your help (Constipation)

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 11/5/2007 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, I am new to this forum. I hope to get some advice to some of my frustrations and concerns. I did not see a constipation link, so I hope it's ok to post in the IBS section. Ok here's my situtation:

Constipation since the age of 17. I am now 36.

The last 8 years have been more severe and chronic.

My Gastro Dr. Diagnoised me as having a "sluggish colon" I think the medical term would be "slow transit". In 2002, I had a colonoscopy which showed that my colon spasmed alot during the procedure. Barium Enema's and the transit marker study that showed the slow transit time.

I have BM's 1 -2 a month. I take laxatives occasionally, but take Metamucil and Miralax daily. Still no help. On September 26, 2007 I had exploratory surgery to see why I was having abdominal pain....but that surgery ended up not completly happening as the surgeon said there was too much intestinal adhesions (severely) that created a L-shaped kink in my intestines. Therefore, he was not able to do anything....but referred me out to another surgeon who is not looking at going in there.....he is wanting me to work with my gastro Dr to see what he wants to do.

Last week on Monday October 29th my Gastro Dr had me do a colonic purge...well I did not purge.....so he wanted me to do two fleets enemas and 1hr apart. I did that, and  I had a very small BM, not much at all after all I have taken. Since then I have not had a BM and today is Monday, November 5th. I called my GASRTO DR and hoefully he will call me tomorrow as he was out of the office today.

So here is my question:

I am a candidate for Sub total Colectomy? How long should do Gastro Dr. do their medical therapy before realizing that hey, they may need to do surgery? Can I suggest surgery? I am just wanting to have my life back. I am always uncomfortable and my stomache is always extended and bloated and I hope someone else on hear can relate and can offer some advice or guidance.

Thank you.

 

Posted 11/6/2007 7:33 AM (GMT 0)

I do not know if you are a candidate for such a radical surgery but I do know that having this done will not necessary "cure" your condition.  When I sought advice about colostomy I was told that it would not put an end to the symptoms of IBS C.  My husband, who did have the surgery for colon cancer, experiences the same bowel problems that he had before the surgery.

I found that for my chronic C, colon hydrotherapy was the best treatment.  It is not a cure but it is palliative.  It will absolutely do the job where enemas and laxatives will not.  The clinician that worked with me for many months suffered with terrible consitpation, similar to what you described, and only found relief through this treatment.  I highly recommend it!

Posted 11/8/2007 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
What is colon hyrotheraphy?

Posted 11/9/2007 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hello, thanks for the response. I am just a little confused. I don't have IBS but I do have severe chronic Constipation. I have did the colonic purge and nothing happened. This week I did the Golytel and after 5hours only went twice and it still didn't turn clear. I am taking Miralax 3 times a day and Metamucil twice a day alond with a colace. I am always bloated and very uncomfortable.

I have severe adhesions that have created an L-shaped kink in my desending colon and adhesions from bowel to bowel which was revealed in the post operative report from an exploratory srugery in Sept of this year.

I think that the adhesions are causing some of the constipation along with my sluggish colon. That's why I think that maybe having the subtotal colectomy would be a benefit. Any thoughts?
Posted 11/14/2007 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
HI, I am 34 and had the same problems you had. My doctor found in my colonoscopy that there was "evidence" on my colon wall from using SENNA. Senna is what is in alot of laxative products. I used to try everything. I used ColonCleanse you see on tv, Dieters tea, anything to relieve my bloating. It worked great. I was using that stuff every other day. My doctor said that the use of all that (products containing senna)is what causes my colon not to work. . After a while the stuff doesnt work anymore and then you need to take more. force myself to drink ALOT of water, I eat that Activia yogurt(a friend who had ibs suggested it cause it worked for her, you must eat it for at least two weeks)and Caltrate D. I am alot more regular now and hope I dont go backwards. Wish I could help!
Posted 11/15/2007 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello.  As a result of a gallbladder surgery I was left with Total Colonic Dysmotility.  After 8 months of working with the Gastroenterologist, he sent me to one of the top 5 Drs in the world that specializes in colonic dysmotility.  He is at Stanford Medical Center, his name is Dr Triadopholpolis(greek).  He ordered a few more tests, and told me a have the Total Colonic Dysmotility, and a slowed small intestine time.  I was told absolutely NO Fiber, and took Go-litely every night.  Then they came out with Miralax by Rx only.  I thought this was wonderful.  Now it is over the counter, and very inexpensive at WallMart.  I have to take 2 capfuls every night.  It still works after 10 years.  When it quits working, then I will deal with that.  My insides also are filled with adhesions, which makes surgery difficult.  There are two other specialists in this at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, and two other outside the US.   With the no, or limited fiber and the Miralax, you will need to know where the restroom is about 30 minutes after eating(I now know where every restroom is in this state).  I also drink at least 6 bottles of water daily.   Good luck to you.  Kathyann
Posted 11/16/2007 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
Colon Hydrotherapy is NOT the colon cleanse nonsense that you buy at the health food store and self administer.  It is a treatment that is being recommended by more and more GI's for the treatment of C and other IBS related issues. 

Here is a link.

http://www.tummytemple.com/about_colonics__hydrotherapy_s.html

Fiber supplemets for people with C is the kiss of death.  I used Metamucil for years and years to deal with IBS C symptoms and wound up with a severely impacted colon.  It was at this point that my GI sent me for colon hydrotherapy.

I think it's a safe bet that anyone who has IBS C or A has "evidence" of laxative use in their colon.  Stool softeners, magnesium citrate, colon cleansers, and even miralax will darken the colon after years of use.  There is nothing harmful about the discoloration. 

If I was only having BM's once or twice a month, I would be banging on every door of every GI until I got some answers.  Taking Miralax AND Metamucil together is like taking uppers and downers at the same time - the two are probably cancelling eachother out.  If it were me, I would eliminate the fiber and just go with the Miralax, all the while still banging on doors. 

Again, be sure that you ask if such a radical surgery will even help your condition. 

 

Posted 11/23/2007 9:55 AM (GMT 0)

I can feel your pain. I have slow transit and was diagnosed with colonic inertia after eight years of constpation, bloating, and pain. I was taking miralax- 6 caps a day and a new med called amitiza. I failed the sitz marker test and defecography, and just had an anal manometry. I met back with my surgeon and I am schedule to habe a total colectomy on Jan 28. This is a surgery you should talk with him/her about. I tried colon hydrotherapy and it did nothing. I have been on every laxative under the sun and nothing has worked.I have gained unecessary weight and I truly do not look like myself. It is a 3-5 hr surgery. They are doing it laparoscopic and are connecting my small intestine to the rectum. If you have any other questions please ask. I wish you the best. You have to be assertive with your dr.

liz

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