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New member - colinic inertia/ slow transit - future colectomy

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Posted 4/21/2018 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone

I have been diagnosed after an entire life of struggle.
52 years old. Severe chronic constipation.
Recommendation is total colectomy.
I have reservations as to whether an entire colectomy is needed.
Any members who had partial bowel resections with either colostomy or anastomosis?
Must admit, i know how life is now, but am i trading bad for worse?
Posted 4/21/2018 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
My tuppence: I wouldn't risk a partial bowel resection in case the constipation returns in the remainder of the colon. There was somebody on here that this happened to, although I haven't seen her post for a long time, so I dunno where she's at now...

Also, in terms of having an ostomy, a colostomy is a bit easier to manage than an ileostomy in some ways, but you still have to deal with having a stoma and wearing a bag - it's not like one is radically different to the other.

I dunno about a rectal anastomosis. I have one and it sucks, but I have Crohn's. Again I'd be worried about the inertia returning in the rectum - although I should imagine it's easier to deal with an impacted rectum than an impacted colon. I would talk to more than one surgeon if you can - get their opinion on what the best surgical outcome for colonic inertia is.
Posted 4/22/2018 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the reply. Lots to consider. I am seeing a second surgeon. Canada has a very restrictive medical system. Lots of gatekeepers. Almost impossible to see specialists
Posted 4/22/2018 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the second surgeon; I hope it helps to make things clearer. I'm from the UK, so I understand about gatekeepers. If you can afford to go private, no problem; otherwise it's a matter of having a sympathetic GP (or in some cases a specialist) who will refer you.
Posted 4/28/2018 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
I am going through the same thing. I was recently Diagnosed with Colonic Inertia and being referred to surgical care. After my whole life of even after enemas and laxatives and what ever else, I still get backed up to the point of throwing up and being nauseated. I am going to be getting a Loop ileostomy. This way, we can work on my rectum and I have relief, then hopefully I will be able to reverse it! I am 28 years old
Posted 5/1/2018 6:49 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting posts. I had a loop ileostomy 15 months ago for colonic inertia and pelvic floor damage. When we initially talked about an ostomy, it was explained that a colostomy (even though a bit easier to care for) was not indicated because it would very well not help with the inertia. 5 days after surgery I had an ileus and it was feared that the inertia might also involve the small intestine. Even then the surgeon said it would be unlikely I'd ever get it reversed AND I may still have problems with the pelvic floor with associated pain. I was ignorant and just went along.

Now I DO still have a terrible time passing the mucus and constantly feel constipated. Knowing what I know now, I would have pushed more for an end ileostomy.

What I'd like to know is 1) can having the bypassed colon on a long term basis cause more problems? 2) If they remove the large intestine, can you still have issues with the pain/mucus in the rectum? and is it common, or why would it be recommended, to do the loop ileostomy with the previous indications?

Thanks, Vicki
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