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SURGERY FOR SLOW TRANSIT CONSTIPATION

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Posted 5/29/2008 11:46 AM (GMT 0)

Janie and Karen x:

Well, now that I have been w/o the percocet for a few days, I must say bowels have become somewhat more active.  Although I can still make to the bathroom, I must say the number of times I have to go (especially after eating) is causing me to be sore both inside and out.  I called the nurse and she said to just take fiber and get some immodium.  Those things kind of freak me out due to the bad memories  eyes   however, due to the fact that I am going to be travelling this weekend to see some of what little family I have left, I will probably give one or both of them a try.  The nurse also said that with time, bowels will move less and stabilize.  When I plan on doing any errands, I also don't eat anything for an hour or more before I venture out.  At least then, if I still have to go, I can always go to the Meijer or something !! I know where all the "places" are. 

Janie, regarding the whole bathroom thing at work, I can certainly relate.  My office is not very close to the commodes and although there are plenty of stalls, I just have always hated doing b. activities in a public setting (ever since I've had problems for the past several years).  I wish the walls were all the way to ceiling and floor but they are more like most rest areas have, not quite as private as one would wish.  I'm going back to work on June 18th so that will be a pretty big day for me in several ways.  Also, there was nothing regarding the avoidance of alcohol on my discharge summary and I must say I have imbibed in my weakness, gin and tonic, more than a few times and it does not seem to have affected me.  I have also had a couple glasses on wine and same thing.  I ate a very small amount of ice cream before bed last night and was up all night. I think it is certain foods that really give me a run for my money (greasy foods, dairy products, raw veges and dried fruits and nuts).  Supposedly the doc said I should be able to eat anything I want after a few weeks.  Again, we shall see. 

I hope things things are of any help,

NFC

Posted 5/29/2008 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
NFC,

Thank you so much for your response.  I hope the immodium really helps.  I wonder about taking fiber; I've read that's good to do, but now when I eat it I get so bloated--I wonder how it will be when you start eating it.  Be sure to let us know.  Right now I consider you my learning tool!! :-)

Glad to hear that about your vodka and tonic....my vice is rum and coke, and white wine.  Don't drink alot, but definitely would like to know I can still have them if I want.

What exactly are you eating?  Have you been out to eat yet?  I suppose food goes through you fairly quickly?  I should be able to take about 3 or 4 months off if I need to when I have the surgery, so I'm hoping things will settle down by then.  I'd like to take less time off, but that's what I'm counting on. 

Thank you again for all your help.  I know we're all different, but it seems that most everyone has at least some of the same issues afterwards, so it's great to follow your recovery with you.  Thanks for sharing!

BTW, I wrote that I had a Maine Coon cat, which I think is a cousin to the NFC.  Do your cats have alot of problems with hairballs, and if so, what do you do?  My little Sammie is always hacking one up, and I've tried the tubed cat-lax, but he really doesnt' care for it (I've tried several flavors).  I'm new at the cat business (always had dogs), so I'm really not sure what else to try.

Hope you have a wonderful day.  Get some rest, as I'm sure you're tired if you were up all night.  Boo hoo, ice cream is my favorite food in the world!!

Posted 5/29/2008 1:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Janie

 

No problem :-)  .  I doubt drinking alcohol will affect the bowel, but like anything, we all respond differently to food and drink.  I dont drink at all as dont like the stuff. 

 

I am amazed you still work.  I can understand your fear of having an accident, but you will have a fair amount of time of work afterwards, so you will be able to gauge how your body is responding.  I have read on this site that after TC it is best to stay away from raw and fibre.  Do you work in a small office - if not, two loos is just inadequate?!!

 

I found work really draining, and could only work part time before the sigmoid colectomy i had last june.  since the sigmoid surgery which caused chronic slow transit, i have had such erratic and painful bowels that i just couldnt contemplate work, but i am lucky that i found a company who recruit home typists, so it doesnt matter that i feel like crap and look it, plus i dont have to work if i am especially feeling lousy.  The only downside is it can be lonely, so i try to get out once or twice week to see friends.

 

Also, I need to take laxatives every day, as i feel awful most days anyway, and even when i do, it doesnt always work efficiently - i seem to go through stages. 

 

How many senna do you have to take??  I am now taking 20 - 30 daily. 

 

I also need to run to the loo most times when i feel the urge coming on, and when i get there can sometimes find i dont eliminate much, plus at least once a month i dont make it.  The other day i was rushing home from the shops with a gut ache (i have to time myself from taking senna to when i think i will need the loo), and was going before i could get through the front door  redface  - though not completely thank goodness.  Strange symptom isnt it? confused though if i had no lax i def wouldnt go - i know from experience. 

 

Dont know about you, but i just can't go in one fell swoop - it usually happens over a space of 1/2 an hour or so, and then i might still need to go back an hour or so later - not good for planning a night or day out.  i just have to be grateful for 'good' days and nights - though there are not many. 

 

So there is no way i could go out to work, or if i did i would have to stay off lax, but that would mean pain, extreme bloating and i would not be able to concentrate at all.   sad  

 

When do you think you will have the TC?  I am eager to find as many people on here who have had success with them, and there are a few who have, so far.  I havent read anyone on here who has become incontinent yet, apart from one who has accidents about once a month...so far so good.

 

Well janie, bye for now

karen xx

Posted 5/29/2008 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Everyone,

      Well, I haven't been on here for awhile because I have been desparately looking for a surgeon that is willing to help me and look at my condition seriously and not the issue that I don't have medical insurance.

       I have GREAT news, I went to see my old surgeon who had performed my surgery 6 yrs. ago and god bless him because he remebered my case without having to look back at my medical records. I had explained to him what has been happening after he performerd the rectocele and how my condition basically became worse and physicians after physicians just kept telling me that I can live a "normal" life with meds. Yeah right, the amount of medications and regimens that I had been on just weren't cutting it! He told me straight out that he would wotk with me financially and that I need to have the Sub Total Colectomy done! I was so relieved that here is an actual physician that is once again willing to help me and in my eyes is my ANGEL! He told me that we need to get this done as soon as possible and there is no need for me to continuing on suffering. I started crying at this point because finally some relief! He told me that he would go thru my belly button since I have a belly ring and that he would have to make a puncture with the piercing is, to save it he would go thru my belly-button and then make an incision down in my bikini area for cosmetics! The surgery will be done laproscopically. I have an appt. tomorrow to discuss the surgery in further details and have to pay the Urologist as well tomorrow. My surgery is scheduled for next friday! I am excited..not nervous. My parents and friends on the otherhand are a different story.

        My question for anyone here, has anyone had this procedure done thru their belly-button and how was the surgery and afterwards? I am more curious as to any possible complications that my lay ahead of me the outcome later on. Overall though, I am anxious!

        God bless all and take care!

Posted 5/29/2008 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Saharra
I have no idea about laproscopic procedure, but apparently recovery is faster...Do let us all know how it goes - i wish you well..
Posted 5/30/2008 12:22 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Saharra79:

 

I had the laparoscopic procedure and have four incisions as follows, the best I can describe: 1) incision is almost 1/2 inch just above the belly button 2) travelling about 3 1/4 inches left slightly up from the bb, incision is approx 1/4 inch 3) and going about 3 3/4 iches to the right a bit lower from the bb, incision is 1/4 inch, and then finally 4) below the bikini line is the longest incision, about 3 inches.  They really aren't much and considering that I've recently reached the big 5-0, at this point in my life I'm not too worried about what I'll look like in a bikini.  I'm just glad that I could do a lot more things right after my surgery than I would have been able to with the open method. 

 

Please try not to worry too much about what people think.  I got over that a long time ago.  It's your body and your life and you are the one who has to live with whatever decision you make.  Ultimately it's between you and God.

 

Godspeed,

NFC

 

Posted 6/2/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Karen,

I am still working, and actually am doing ok, except for the days I take my senna.  I don't take it every day; I couldn't go anywhere if I did that!  I take it every 3-5 days, depending on how much I've eaten and how I'm feeling.  I don't take the tablets; I take the senokot granules.  about 30 years ago the first Gasto. I went to about this problem examined me and told me to start taking senokot granules every week; it wouldn't hurt me.  I was having a really hard time going without taking something like corectol, exlax, or some sort of laxative.  I started taking it then, and have taken it for 30 years.  I absolutely never have a bm without it.  I take almost 2 tablespoons with milk/ice cream and I hate the way it tastes, but that's what I've been doing.  Over the years I've tried dulcolax and other laxatives, but nothing has worked as consistently and as well as the senokot, although i do have to take alot more than I did when I started.

When I take it at lunchtime, I have about 4 hours to get home and then I'm home for the entire night.  It can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours for me to "finish"...with lots and lots of trips to the bathroom.  I think because I see how this keeps me home when I take the senna, it worries me about after the TC and what kind of life I'll have.  I literally run to the bathroom sometimes 20+ times to get it all out.

I'm not sure when I'm going to have the TC...probably after the first of the year.  I'm currently having biofeedback treatments; I'll probably have 3 more, which will take another 6-8 weeks.  I also was told I need the STARR procedure for a rectocele, and I hope to have that surgery later this summer.  I actually have a 2nd opinion with another surgeon next week.  I went to the Orlando Colon and Rectal Center to have all my tests and that's when they confirmed I'd need a TC.

I have to admit I'm really scared. My delimna is that I am sometimes ok....as long as I take my senna, I usually go every few days.  However, last year at Christmas I was sick and taking several meds, and nothing, and I mean NOTHING could get me going for over 2 weeks.  I took go-lightly twice, and nothing came out.  I also tried some other laxatives; nothing worked.  Finally my doctor gave me a drug that is used for gout that gives you diarrhea, and it finally worked.  That's when I decided to get to the Colon Center and have all tests and get something done.  I'm just tired of living this way.  I just pray it will be better and not worse if I have the surgery.  Going on vacations is always a problem; I have to set aside at least one night to stay in and poop.  I just hope I'll still be able to go out and eat, etc. after the surgery without having diarrhea all the time.  I understand it will take awhile for my body to adjust, but we're pretty social and my fear is I'll be housebound, or unable to go out and eat with friends.

My office isn't that small--2 stalls is just ridiculous.  The building was originally used for mechanics and an entirely male staff; hence the 2 stalls.  There are still many more men that women, but still, 2 stalls is just too small.  I'll be so embarrassed; I've always had issues of going with anyone around.

Thanks for writing back; hang in there, and keep us posted on what's going on with you.

NFC--how are you doing now?  Are you getting your strength back?  Hope you're doing well.

Janie


Posted 6/3/2008 10:28 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply. Glad that you can just take the senna every 3 or so days - i wish i could. I am uncomfortably daily. Though not so good you are on the loo all evening and night - how exhausting. I know what you say about being housebound. i have to plan trips around my loo trips. sometimes the senna acts (rarely) too fast and i am caught short. but like you, i also have to run to the loo when i actually do need it, though intermittantly. Do you feel better after and feel it has been efficient though? Also, if, like me, do you find bm very loose and hardly solid? This makes it hard to guage and makes me sore.
Have you tried the chocolate flavour granules by the way, to help with the taste? i have heard they exist, though never bought them.

bye for now janie, and i will keep you updated. my family are pushing for me to have hypnotherapy - fat lot of good that will do, but i suppose it will do no harm...
karen x
Posted 6/4/2008 3:30 AM (GMT 0)
I am having surgery in exactly two weeks... I too am a bit worried about the scarring. Is anyone able to post pictures of your scars so we can see how well they heal? That would be good to see. Thanks!
Posted 6/8/2008 1:34 AM (GMT 0)

Hello Janie and karen x,

 

I'm not sure which name you prefer so please feel free to straighten me out if it is not the above. I hope you are doing alright.  I have been gone for a few days (don't have a laptop computer, only a desktop) and then when I got home there were several things going on with the house that I had to deal with.  Even though I am very proactive about keeping everything maintained and in tiptop shape, I had three things to deal with right off the bat which caused me somewhat of a setback in my condition. And my cats are never very happy with me when I'm gone even though they have a very loving babysitter. 

 

I'm doing alright, have reached my 4 weeks-plus post surgery, and can say that my backside is not hurting nearly so much (although I still do use the "ointment") and thankfully I am not needing the facilities 15 - 20 or more times per day.  Mostly things happen in the morning and afternoon and I have been able to go through the night w/o having to visit the loo/water closet/throne room !!! Not that I sleep through the night (this is a separate problem I still struggle with). On of my stitches decided to break (normal) except that the blood got on one of my better shirts which I'm not sure if I can get totally out yet. eyes No big deal I know especialy compared to people who are starving, have no shelter, etc.  It just upset me quite a bit. 

 

The countdown is on, being that I have to go back to work in just a few days, and I am still pretty tired.  My boss said I can just do half days if I'm not up to it; however, I don't want to go through the hassle of getting any more paperwork filled out for the HR department.  Today it was really hot, I tried doing a few things outside, hot really dehydrated (even though I did drink a lot), and never did get rid of the headache. Overall I will say though that I am so GLAAAAD that I had this surgery.  In spite of the healing process and all that it entails, those C. symptoms that I used to have. . . . . .  I DON'T MISS THEM AT ALL. 

 

I am praying that you will both make the right decision for your individual situations and you will see the end of this trial.  I don't believe we are ever free from all the problems of life.  It seems that when we finally get through one long standing problem, another one (whether or not longstanding) often comes to replace it. It is just part of the journey . . . . . . 

With love,

NFC      

 

Posted 6/8/2008 1:45 AM (GMT 0)

SubColectomyhereIcome,

 

I would post pics if I could train my cats to take them.  Unfortunately my thirtysomething son lives too far away to ask that he come just to take pics and my verrry few female relatives that are left in the family are also very distant (only have two aunts left).  If I get brave enough to ask a freind to take them, I will post.  They really are not so bad -- had my subtotal colectomy done laparoscoptic and have also lifted a few more things (over the weight limit) before I was supposed to.  Had a pain or two but am still doing alright.  I hope you won't allow the apprearance of things stop you from doing what might be best for your health. 

 

Godspeed,

NFC

Posted 6/8/2008 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
SubColectomyhereIcome - You can ask for a plastic surgeon to do the closure. The scar will be very minimal. You'll have to ask your surgeon in plenty of time for them to arrange for a plastic surgeon to be available.
Posted 6/8/2008 3:28 AM (GMT 0)
No problem! I understand it's hard to get photos on here... I'm just curious what they look like after the surgery. I am still definitely going forward with the surgery and I cannot wait. A week and a few days.... And I've never heard of getting a plastic surgeon to close the incisions. I'll ask about that. Thanks!
Posted 6/8/2008 4:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sub Total Here I come-

My daughter who is 11 had a sub-total last yr and just had a total done on 6/5/08...I did not have a plastic surgeon do the close on either s/x but her surgeon did do a plastics close...There are no visable stiches everything was done under the skin,and no staples on the outside either. Her scar from last year was almost not visable-she had open s/x both times...I,m sure when she heals this time it will be almost the same way!!Good luck w/ your s/x...You will be in my prayers yeah !!!

Krista(Booka)

Posted 10/14/2008 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I've just found this site and it's a revalation! I've been feeling very isolated, alone (and somewhat sorry for myself, it must be said!) as a result of my ongoing bowel problems. Mine started when I was 14 as a result of Bulimia/laxative abuse, which ended up with me having surgery for a 'massive rectal prolapse' when I was 16. That wasn't much fun, and it hasn't been a bundle of laughs since! I've had a few other surgeries along the way (including another bowel surgery to remove the mesh holding up the bowel and cutting out part of the bowel that was being strangulated by adhesions) but now - as has been pretty much on and off for the last 30 years - I am chronically constipated and I feel that I just can't physically and mentally take any more of the pain, discomfort and every other rotten side-effect that comes from it - I'm just so tired of it all - I never have any energy and I always feel completely blah - there is no respite whatsoever!
I'm due to go for some (more) tests this week re: transit studies, defecting proctogram, ano-rectal physiology tests etc, but unless I start shouting and screaming I'm worried that I'll be dismissed with 'IBS' yet again - and I just might do away with the consultant if he tries that one! :o)
But seriously, having read through all the forum member's experiences thus far, it has made me feel somewhat less alone and 'freakish'. I mean, just how difficult should it be to do one of the most basic, natural acts of living being? I find myself watching my little dog doing a poo and feeling jealous of the ease in which she does it - how ridiculous is that? Anyway, thank you all for sharing your experiences and advice with others - it's been hugely helpful, informative and reassuring to me. I wish you all well. Liz
Posted 10/15/2008 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the site Liz!

Are you from USA? I am in the Uk near London.  well, if the transit study shows the opaque markers diffused around the colon it confirms your bowel is very slow, so dont worry about being told you have IBS...just dont be fobbed off, which i doubt they will do -  you have suffered way too long... i have suffered for 10 years or so - the last year being the year from hell itself.  yes there is no respite at all i totally understand....IBS is liveable; slow transit constipation takes over your life like nothing...yeah feeling so blah and miserable all the time.

it took all this time for me to at last be told i have colonic inertia - i am getting worse over the past year since the last surgery.  it seems the medical people just try to keep you with your colon for as long as possible - but if you are miserable on a daily basis then it is time to take action....let us know how the GI studies go.

bye for now

karenx

Posted 10/29/2008 8:58 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, I am new to this board. I need to make some decisions, and am hoping some people on here have gone through the experiences and would like to share with me. I have been severely constipated my entire life, have gone through all of the testing, tried all of the meds and laxitives. The only way I can  have a bm is to do a home tap water enema. I do this every 3 days because it takes so long. I hate having to schedule it in. It takes up an entire evening and at times can ruin a whole weekend because it makes me so sick. I've had a couple of sitz marker tests and it shows a very slow transit. All of the markers stay in the last part of my large intestine. My rectum muscles are slightly week. Other than that everything else is normal. My options are to do nothing and continue feeling miserable only being able to go to the bathroom by enemas or to have a subtotal colectomy. My dr. said I had about a 70-80% chance of it being successful. He said about 10% have ended up with a diahrrea problem, but if I ended up not happy my odds would be greater in still being constipated rather than having diahrrea. I made him give me odds. He said I had another option. This would to be having an illeostomy first to see if I was happy with those results first. If I was happy after 3 mos then he would have me wait 3 more mos to make sure I was still happy, if so then the subtotal would be done since those would be the same results. If I'm not happy with the results then we can remove the illeostomy and go back to the way I was originally. Has anyone done it this way? I hate how I feel all the time with this constipation, but since this is an elective surgery how did you decide to go for it when it was possible it wouldn't turn out well and it's permanent?

Thanks for any advice!

Posted 10/30/2008 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Burnie,

Your story sounds alot like mine, and I'm planning on having a colectomy, hopefully in February.  I'm so scared....one day I'm afraid it won't work and I'll still be constipated, and then the next I'm afraid it will work TOO well, and I'll go too much!

My surgeon didn't give me odds; but did say that after surgery there can be other problems such as cramping, feeling sick to your stomach, etc.  He still feels the colectomy is a good idea for me and said there are meds to help with other issues.  I certainly don't want to have to depend on laxatives anymore.  That would be horrible to go through the surgery and still have the problem.

I'm sorry I can't help answer your questions, but I'm looking forward to seeing what others have to say.  I have never heard of a surgeon suggesting an ileostomy first, but maybe others have.  Please keep us posted on what you decide, and good luck!!

Posted 10/30/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Janiepain, I  hadn't heard of the illeostomy first to see what the results of a subtotal would be like either. I got a second opinion at a pelvic and floor center in Minneapolis MN They are thought of pretty highly for being cutting edge I heard. A question I didn't think to ask the dr is how can the illeostomy poo results be the same as a subtotal? With the illeostomy doesn't the poo leave the body immediately no matter how little is produced and with the sc it will be in the body longer because of the small bowel? I'm looking forward to hearing if anybody out there has gone through this. I'm scared of both too, either ending up with diahhrea or still being constipated if I choose to do this.

Posted 10/30/2008 11:04 PM (GMT 0)

Burnie,

I'm interested in seeing if anyone else as heard of this, too.  Like you, I don't understand, but then again, I don't understand how something as simple as pooping can be so difficult for some of us.  I'm not sure who posted it, but someone said the other day that they watched their dog/cat poop and was so jealous....I feel the same way.  How can they eat so little and poo so much??  Doesn't seem fair!!

I'll be watching for replies!  Take care,

Janie

Posted 11/21/2008 7:52 AM (GMT 0)

Hi all

I am new to this site and it's so reassuring to know others suffer from this same problem as me. Sometimes it feels so lonely living with this. I am having a sub total colectomy in 4 days and starting to feel a little nervous!!

I must say I am looking forward to less pain and bloating and more frequent BM's!!

It's so interesting to read everyone's own experiences

Any one have any advice for recovery, it sounds like a pretty hard road. My surgeon is unsure whether I will have a bag yet, so I hope not.

Posted 3/18/2009 3:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I was so glad to find this site, mine is a long long story but basically im due to have my 11th op for a colectomy in May, I suffer with slow gut transit, my sigmoid colon is now prolapsed and my colcon is stretched and not working from severe constipation and lots of ops.  Ive had many ops including rectoclele repair, STARR, rectopexy, Haemorroidectomy, Advance flap replacement (repair) just to mention a few, my last big op was in oct where i had starr and rectopexy at same time, had to go back in dec as scar tissue was too tight.

Im terrified of the op, my surgeon has it has unpresidented bad press and told me about the fatality risks, as im only in my early 30's with a child that bothers me.  Ive got my head around the fact im having it but id appreciate any advice and also any diet advice for slow gut transit, i can only empty my bowels with picalax and hospital enemas.  I have no control over timing.  I know il be going 3-4 times a day after this op which sounds ok...id just like any advice, thanks eyes

Posted 5/4/2010 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I have finally been diagnosed with disabling slow transit constipation, and im now 6stone 10 with BMI of 15,, i cant eat properly anylonger as Im so uncomfortable and my stomach goes huge (naturally flat) as im extremely fit,, i am due a total colectomy in june thank goodness, but i am unsure of what it will be like after op re pain and life there afterwards. at mo im taking 7 sennacot, 7 bisycodol , 3 ducoate and egg cup of senna oral everynite, (tsp menavac 3 times day) just to keep things flowing,, not good. has anyone got any experience as to what this op will be like? any help appreciated
Posted 5/4/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
HI guys


im new on this site, i have been diagnosed after many many years with STC. I cant eat properly anylonger food has become my enemy, i get so bloated and uncomforatble i was smaller a 6 month pregnant 12 years ago.. I am 34 years, now 6stone 10 and have bmi of 15,, not good, I am now having a total colectomy in june10 yippee, via key hole and prob wont need a ileostomy, i am unsure pain after the op, not real bothered tho i will deal with it when it happens, i also know v little about life there after, will all my bloating be gone, can i eat what i want months after the op?

Has anyone got any experiance to share with me on this,, there are many people that sound in similar situations on here for dif reasons, any help would be much appreciated ..... thanks

Have put similar questions twice now,, u can tell im new doh!!

Post Edited (roxanedaz123) : 5/4/2010 8:49:56 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/4/2010 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, i am in a slightly different position as it is my 8 year old daughter who is suffering from severe constipation. She has an ACE stoma but still has real problems. Reading through the posts on here makes me realise that we aren't alone !!! She is due to have botox next week in the hope that this will help. For so long everyone has just dismissed as constipation but it really does have a profound effect on her quality of life. Thanks for listening
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