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IMPORTANT QUESTION TO EVERYONE WHO HAS / HAD, SLOW TRANSIT CONSTIPATION

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Posted 4/21/2008 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I would be very grateful to everyone who has this or who had it, to please respond to my question below:

 

I am trying to find out how many people who have been diagnosed with Slow Transit Constipation, have had, or are going through, long-term stress,(e.g. several years or more) or are in/were in, an emotionally or physically abusive relationship.

 

Please respond even if the above doesnt apply, as I would really like to get an idea of the ratio of people with this condition who have or havent had physical or emotional stress.  thanks so much.

 

The reason i am asking is that a previous consultant wondered if my bowel became lazy as a result of my state of mind, though he knew nothing about me or my history.(i have seen four consultants so far). 

 

For your information I have had long-term emotional stress in my life, and always wondered if that is why i am now in this situation.  I didnt get any bowel problems until 10-12 years ago.  It came at a time of extreme stress within my marriage, and also at a point of returning to work after 13 years at home raising a family, plus moving home. To cut a long story short, my marriage of 26 years has by no means been easy, and at points i have been on the receiving end of physical and emotional abuse, due to his temper, possessiveness and insecurities.  The worst years were when my kids were little.  The crunch came when the eldest left home, and the youngest when to uni.  My husband decided to try and change when he found out i was thinking of ending the relationship.  However a year on nothing really is better...and i just feel very numb inside... and so it goes.  i have hardly any money, as cant work much due to bowel, and life, as well as being married, is a constant challenge.  sorry, didnt mean to have a marriage counselling session, but just wanted to share my story quickly.

 

You dont have to go into detail like me - please just reply as to whether you have had long term stress, or that you havent, putting either 'NO' in the subject box, or 'YES'.

thanks so much to you all.

karen x

 

 

Posted 4/22/2008 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was 'fine' until having a colon resection done. Tests are showing that I basically have nonworking nerves at this point, and that was most likely caused by the previous surgery.
Posted 4/22/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have had slow transit constipation for years. I have had no stress or abuse. 5 years ago out of the blue my bowels stopped working over night. I wonder if the doctors over the years who offered no treatment but blamed the slow transit on stress, IBS and abuse non of which I had delayed treatment and caused me more pain. I also now have damage to the nerves at this point and large bowels no longer work.
Posted 4/22/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Terri and mcmom1234 for your response.

Terri, thats just awful for the subtotal not to have worked - i was told by my surgeon that, in his experience a sub-total doesnt cure slow transit (not sure what your prob was originally though), and that he would only do total colectomy.  still deliberating...

would you consider having the rest of your large bowel removed?  therefore just leaving the small bowel to be resectioned to rectum??  Sounds like you have had your share of stress looking at your signoff...

karen xxx

Posted 4/22/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I think a lot of mine was contributed to both psychological and physiological reasons...all in all...I am sooo glad I had the surgery.  If you are wondering if a stress free life will fix the problem...I highly doubt it.
Posted 4/22/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm 52 and I've had this problem most of my life, but it got really bad when I was 19 or 20.  That's when I first went to a Dr. about it.  My life has been fairly stress free, so I don't think I can attribute mine to stress.  After having all the tests done, my doctor said it was just genetic...something I was born with.  For the first time since surgery was mentioned, I'm really looking forward to having it.  My senokot just isn't working as well as it did, and it's so frustrating, as well as uncomfortable.
Posted 4/23/2008 2:07 AM (GMT 0)

Bear

Yes, I would consider having the rest removed if it is felt that would help my situation. I was supposed to have defecography testing done, but I've developed another hernia and my surgery is scheduled for the 29th, which is the same day that I was going to Stanford for testing. I've had a lot of stress due to the medical issues (this will be my 33rd surgery), but I think I've handled it rather well. Not much I can do about the cards I've been dealt, but I can control the way I play my hand.

Posted 4/25/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have had a very abusive marriage and stress is not the word for it more like (crazy).

 

The last year is when I really started haveing problems with my bowel.

Total coletomy 11 weeks ago. I don't know if the abuse or stress had anything to do with it.

Life is different  now since the surgery. I take one day at a time and try not to sweat the small stuff.

I hope things get better for you soon.......... I really do know how you feel..

Feel better soon.

 

Busybee69

Posted 4/25/2008 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Busybee

thanks so much for reply.  So sorry to hear that, and hope you are not in abusive relationship still. 

out of interest, did you have slow transit constipation?  and are you ok now bowel-wise e.g. you didnt become incontinent ...etc.  Thats what is putting me off having tc.

thanks and best wishes

karenx

Posted 4/25/2008 11:22 PM (GMT 0)

Karen,

I answered above, but just saw that you had the STARR procedure. I also have a large rectocele and my dr. wants to do STARR procedure before a colectomy.  I also have pelvic floor dysfunction and I am starting biofeedback in 2 weeks....he wants me to do all this before the big surgery.  Did the STARR procedure help at all?  Is it a very painful surgery?  How long were you in the hospital and how long a recovery period?  I'm sorry for so many questions, but I haven't found anyone else who had this procedure.

I take senna every 4 days or so, and if I don't take it, I don't go...and then sometimes it's very difficult.  I'm also very afraid of having constant diarrhea....but I know I can't live like this alot longer.  It's gotten worse over the years.


Posted 4/26/2008 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Karen, I had slow transit constipation and had a total colectomy last August.  I never had any constipation issues until I had a rectocele/cystocele surgery the previous year.  My gynocologist messed the surgery up and for over a year afterwards, I could only have a bowel movement once a month after about 10 warm water enemas.  Laxatives and fiber did not work for me.

I was in an abusive relationship 8 years ago and was physically abused.  I do have stress in my life and a low tolerance to it, as I was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder back then, so I do try to keep things as normal as possible.

I have no regrets about my colectomy, other than I wish that it would not have had to happen.  I was incontinent for the first month and a half.  I wore diapers and couldn't control what happened, even in the hospital.  Since then, I go about once a day or every other day, and am not bloated or constipated anymore.  about twice a month, I still will have a bad day or night.  However, my health is better than ever and I eat much more nutritionally now.

I hope that you find the answers that will help you, and that you will feel better about everything soon.. Your health is always most important..

butterfly

Posted 4/26/2008 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
hi Janie

It makes good sense to have the STARR procedure plus the biofeedback before the colectomy.  It my be the case it will cure you and you  might not need the colectomy.  It really depends on your sypmtoms right now.  however, i know constipation/child birth causes a lot of problems within the pelvic floor region, which would cause the rectocele and/or prolapse in the rectum.

I had the STARR in oct 2006 due to mucosal prolapse of the rectum, and another rectocele.  My symptoms were a feeling of obstruction, and it wasnt  until that time i was further diagnosed with slow transit.  Over here in UK they seem to take years making any type of diagnosis compared to usa.  I never heard of slow transit constipation until then.

Well, the STARR didnt help me as such, as it didnt obviously get to the source of the problem, namely slow transit constipation.  It was then he told me to take any laxatives that agree with me to help me go.  At that time i was 'going' to the loo once or twice a day, with t he help of glycerin supportories, and taking hours and hour sitting onthe loo. so i was very surprised by the sitz marker test that i had, in actual fact,slow transit.  Anyhow, even after taking the laxatives i was not any quicker in going just more output.  it was after my sigmoid resection that everything actually STOPPED working. however, it did cure my obstruction....

I never had bowel probs until 10 years ago.  however, i now take 8-10 senna nightly, and 10-20 in the morning to feel comfortable, but even then i never know whats gonna happen, and my life revolves around being around a loo, as when i do need to go, i have to get there rather fast.  i have had a few accidents, but blame it on the laxatives.  however, i was told my rectum is more narrow, which might be because of the STARR.  I couldnt wait 4 days to move my bowels - i would look four months gone, plus feel AWFUL!  In any event, when i 'go' it is never what you call 'normal'bowel movement anyway...

Recovery took me off work for about a month - it was more sore than having a pelvic floor repair which i had done in 2003 - but they did it via the vagina.  the STARR is relatively new proceedure which using a double straple device and swift and clean helping the recovery time.  i was a bit sore, but that was becasue i still had the obstruction, and needed to put suppositories up there.so dont worry about it - you will be ok.  I wsnt a suitable candidate for biofeedback, as nothing wrong there, but i have heard of pelvic floor disfunction.....

when is the STARR? 

Janie i wish you all the best - look forward to reading  your results on here. x

 

Posted 4/26/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly

 

Thanks for your input - its reallyhelps to hear everyone's experiences.  it appears so far on this forum that there isnt an easy answer when it comes to whether stress/fear affects the bowels. 

 

Sorry to hear your surgeon caused problems with the surgery - strange how it resulted in severe slow transit, but thats the body for you.  wow i cant believe laxatives didnt help you - awful.

 

so glad all is well with you now - when you say 'a bad day or night' does that mean incontinent???

 

thanks so much xx

Posted 4/26/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

Karen, yep, a bad day or night is incontinent.. I don't know if that's bad or not, confused just feels funny when I'm only 38 years old.  Now, I know that it can happen to anyone.  My stomach is more sensitive since surgery, and once in the while it feels like I have a stomach bug and it will grumble all night, regardless of what I've eaten.  On those times, I just ride it out.. It doesn't really hinder me.. My stomach does get tighter, almost like menstrual cramps when it happens.  I wear the diapers then at night, because it is easy to have an accident and wake up to it later.  It's not like before surgery when I could control it.  I can still wear my normal clothes with a diaper, it's just really important to keep on drinking liquids.. We have to drink more than we put out. 

(I just wish that one of you would design and patent some designer diapers for women.!  Plain white is boring, and even kids have diapers and pull-ups with designs.. Why not us, too?) tongue

butterfly

Posted 4/30/2008 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

   I had slow transit constipation for over 20 yrs. I also ahve a hiatus hernia and tummy ulcer. Was in terrible pain every day of my life. I seen a few surgeons since i was 17. They wouldnt operate because i was too young. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome when i was 21 and was basically told to put up with the pain. This is stress related. Finally 4yrs ago my bowel stopped working completely. My surgeon suggested an illeostomy to give my bowel a rest. I was so constipated that i looked 9mths pregnant. ( i am only 7st ). I was to get a reversal in 6 mnths time. During this time the swelling disappeared along with the pain.

     Hated the fact that i had the bag, but put up with it because i could get it reversed. I got the reversal in February 2005. Unfortunately it all went wrong. ten days after reversal i had adhesions,was rushed to theatre and endured a 4hr life saving operation. I got the stoma back, was very ill in ICU, 2days later i was in absolute agony. I had peritinitis. Most of the bowel was removed and was told that i could never get a reversal. I was devestated. I had a central line in and lost 2 stone in weight,i was down to 5st in the space of a wk. Spent 6wks in hospital. Got tube fed.All my veins collapsed and needed a Hickman line. 5wks later i got scepticemea and needed a blood transfusion. The last few yrs ive spent a lot fo time in hospital as my sodium levels are very low. my last hospital visit was February this yr. Ive lost weight again im now 6st. Im trying everything to get the weight back on. I am so tired all the time, cant walk very far. I tend to stay indoors. Hate going out. I feel everyone is looking at me and can see the bag. (ofcourse they cant ) I sometimes feel that i will never be well. Im only 44yrs old and feel my life has passed me by. My home is my prison. I often regret getting the op. my husband constantly reminds me that i had no choice. i dont see many of my friends because of the fact i hate going out. I know for sure that if it werent for my husband, my 21 yr old daughter and 16yr old son i wouldnt be here. They are what keeps me going.

Has anyone else experienced set backs?

 

Posted 4/30/2008 1:51 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, G.T.  It's good to meet you.  I am very, very sorry for everything that's happened and all that you've been thru.  It seems like there aren't any easy answers regarding our reactions to our bodies (and our body's responses after surgery) after the types of surgeries that we've all had or are moving towards on this site.

You have every right to feel like you do, but you sound like you have a wonderful and loving family that you love, too.. Hold on to their support tightly to help you thru this.  You're a strong person if you can make it thru 6 weeks in the hospital.  (I thought that I wasn't going to make it past 2 weeks..)

I think that the worst day of my life was when the doctor told me that I had to have my colon removed.  I started crying and had a panic attack on the spot.  I'm usually quiet and composed, but it rocked my world to the core.  For the next 6 months, until I had my total colectomy, I would cry at the drop of a hat or just thinking about it and wondering why in the world it had had to happen.  I don't think that anyone should have to go thru what we have, but we did and your husband is right, you didn't have a choice.  I didn't either.  I still get mad, but my husband and sons (I have 3) reighn me back in and let me know how lucky we are to have gotten the help that we needed.  Others like us are fighting to just be able to have surgery to make their lives livable and not miserable or with cancer.  We are the lucky ones.

Please, you are so young.  You were dealt with a bad deck for such a short time.. Take time for yourself and slowly let yourself out of your house and rediscover yourself again.  My friends went on with their lives in the past couple of years, too, but we are all changing.  Show them all the new you.  Hopefully, the more that you get out the more that you can get some strength back..  Besides, you deserve to treat yourself to the best..

It's still not easy.  I'm learning now, too.  I had surgery in August and have lost almost 90 pounds, but I did have the weight to lose.  Now, I'm almost severely underweight and am trying to maintain, too.  Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I don't recognize me anymore and it's difficult not to remember the surgery.  Losing weight so fast has put alot of stress on me.  I'm not used to the attention and comments of others, no matter what I wear or eat.  I've had to change my eating habits, and clothes often because I've gone from a size 18 to a size 4 now and have continued to work full time.  It's been a chore to even have clothes to wear in the mornings, and often brings me down.  I have a really good counselor that I trust alot and he's trying to help me work thru this.  For me, it's been great to have someone to talk to about what I'm going thru and being able to ask for help.  It's easier for me to talk to him about some things than talking with my family, because sometimes I can't put on a happy face when I have all day at work and will at home with my family..  We're still human and have lots of feelings..  (They took our colons, and not our feelings..)

I hope that you can find some peace in part of what I've written.  One day at a time..

butterfly

Posted 4/30/2008 11:32 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks GT for the reply.

I feel like swearing, but wont - in reponse to what you've been through.  I am so sorry, but as butterfly says, yes it sounds like you have a loving family who have stood by you.  it sounds like you are in deep depression to me - like you are in a deep black hole.  i hope you can let your doctor can help you somehow.  antidpressants might help, and counselling maybe.

please let us know how you are doing and take part in the forum, and maybe you can get in touch with locals who have also got a bag.... Your local gp can do this i am sure.

 I have heard of lots of people (mostly on this forum) who are now enjoying life after colectomy.  however, you have been through the most horrendous time, and need to recover your ordeal ... i do wish you well...xxxx

Posted 5/2/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly and Karen,

                             Thank you both so very much for replying to me. I am new to the forum. I have never spoken to others with the same problem. Where are you both from? my name is Grace. Hope we can talk in the future. Thanks once again it is very much appreciated. x

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