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Anyone here have colon dysmotility (colon inertia)?

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Posted 12/22/2010 4:24 AM (GMT 0)
I have Lyme and one of my main symptoms is where my colon acts "paralyzed" -- the descending and sigmoid colon. I have been diagnosed with this. I am wondering, short of having the colon removed, if any of you have this condition as well and if so, have any of you found help for it? It is keeping me from being able to detoxify through the bowel because of the severe constipation. Just wanted to know if any of you have this condition and if so, have you found any help for it? Thank you.
Posted 12/22/2010 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. I have gut paralysis or dysmotility all throughout from esophagus to colon from Lyme. What I find helps me most is:

Magnesium tablets, 500mg with each meal.
Fiber. I like bean/flaxseed chips, since I can't have gluten/wheat or oats.
Water. I try hard to get in at least 1 cup of water before eating each meal; in my case, my stomach is not able to adequately mix the food with the gastric juices, so everything solid turns to cement unless I take the magnesium (natural stool softener) and water with each meal.
Exercise, when I can. Walking is the only exercise I can do right now. Deep breathing can do the same thing for the colon as exercise because the action of the deep breathing massages the colon and promotes colonic motility.
Burdock Root. This herb has mucilagenous properties (healing for the gut mucosal lining) and also is a gentle laxative. I take 1-3 capsules daily.

The other thing I have found very helpful is physical therapy for my gut...this is done through the use of Interferential Electrostimulation (similar to TENS). I get this treatment at my Lyme doctor's office twice a week and it really helps keep the gut functioning. Interferential current (electrostim.) has been used successfully in clinical trials on those with IBS and non-ulcer dyspepsia as well.

If I do get really backed up, I then go in for colon hydrotherapy (colonics). The lady who I go to gives me a good belly massage and puts electrolytes in the colonic water to help with tissue dehydration (this happens when one is severely constipated).

Other things that can help some: Peppermint oil is known to stimulate bowel motility, and decrease bowel spasms. Do not use peppermint if you have acid reflux.

Ginger root is also good for stimulating gut motility, but cannot be used safely in those who have gallbladder problems.

I hope this helps...take care,
Posted 12/22/2010 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi 4everstuck!!!
Welcome to our forum!!! I am really sorry that you have a need to be here, but I am sure glad you found us!! It would help you a lot if you would read the thread at the top of the forum titled "New to Lyme?...Start here". as it is packed full of information that we thought was the most helpful.

I do have to say, after reading your post - I absolutely looove your name!!! It should be mine as well!! Giggle!

I have not gone through substantial testing for my bowels & the issues I have with them, as I have grown up with these issues, so it was my 'norm'. My issues are caused by something different than Razzle's (I believe so anyway), so I wanted to add my 2 cents as well.

In the year 2000, I started my search for what was wrong with me in earnest. I found out that my colon spasms - bad. It will spasm so hard that my colon ends up paralyzed & in sooo much pain!

It's best for me to take precautionary measures similar to what Razzle does, only my issues don't start in my actual stomach.

I have been on a 'script for Dicyclomine for over 10 years now & in high enough doses to be considered theraputic, it helps me tremendously!! Of course I have to do other things to help, like drink a minimum of 2 quarts of water - daily (I can be okay with one quart, but two quarts really makes a bigger difference.

The other thing I have to be careful to do daily is to take fiber. I have a diet that is incredibly high in fiber, but I still have to take the fiber.

I also take magnesium oxide to help pull water into the colon, am & pm doses of 500 mgs each time.

My Acupressure/Master Herbolist that I see has me on a combo of three herbs (licorice, peppermint & white peony) that has made a major improvement in how my bowels react not only to food, but life in general.

I hope we can give you some ideas to try that will actually work for you
Trav
Posted 12/27/2010 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much you guys for your responses. Just wanted to know how common or uncommon this condition is with Lyme.
Razzle, mine has progressed to where nothing I try works, and I mean nothing. I've tried your suggestions or ones like them and in the past they helped, but not anymore. Doctor says it's a neurological problem and it's actual paralysis going in the descending and sigmoid sections. that's where all the markers were sitting when they should have been out of me.

Traveler, I'm so glad the Dicyclomine helps you. Do you know why this is? Does it kill the Lyme bacteria and therefore have an affect on motility? That is something I have not tried but maybe I should?

For years I've been trying to figure out what my options are. Scary thing is it's not uncommon for the small intestine to also be affected. Happened to 2 friends of mine with this condition, so removing the colon did not help the situation and now they have new problems.

Anyway, thanks again so very much for taking the time to reply. And Happy New Year. :-)
Posted 12/29/2010 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi 4ever,
The Dicyclomine is for intestinal cramping. And to be honest, I am weaning off of it now, after being on it for just over 10 years - thanks to Traditional Chinese Medicine.

I know I have a lot of motility issues with my intestines, but never had enough testing to figure out what was causing it, so I'm not sure of the exact cause - other than being from a TBI - Tick-borne infection.

Since I have a lot of neuro issues, I have always assumed my intestinal issues are a neuro issue, as well.

Although I do carry some good news - some of the neuro stuff that happens to a person with a tick-borne infection does heal!! My fingers used to be numb enough that I used to sew my fingers to the back of what ever little project I was working on at the time and I used water that was always waayyy too hot for most people.

Now though, I can no longer do those things - they hurt!!! smhair.

Another thing - I am having some of my earliest memories returning to me as well, so I do believe that there is always hope for some healing that can go on no matter how long a person has had issues with TBI's

I do hope that this helps someone a little.
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