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subtotal colectomy, now constipated, any advice??

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Posted 3/19/2008 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
hi everyone, i had my large intestine removed in july of 07. i also have a sluggish small intestine but it seemed to be doing its job for a while. i do not have an ileostomy, they reconnected my small to my rectum. lately i've been having a much harder time going to the bathroom and im not sure why. i eat mostly vegetables, fruit, fish and chicken. no carbs and no meat. they dont seem to agree with me. i also drink prune juice. does anyone have any advice on what might help? i've started exercising, mostly cardio and yoga and my stomach looks bigger than before. did this happen to anyone else? i dont know if it is swelling or what. any advice would be greatly appreciated. i dont want to get in the habit of laxatives again for fear of becoming dependent on them. thanks to anyone who can help!!!!
Posted 3/20/2008 2:17 PM (GMT 0)

Rose

I had my subtotal done in September '07 and I'm having the same problems. Although I couldn't go after surgery either. Out of curiosity, did you have anomanometry testing done before your surgery? I'm having that done today. My GI doc thinks that when I had a colon resection done about two years ago that some type of damage was done to the nerves/muscles that help push things out. Today we'll get the answers.

Posted 3/20/2008 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Irish Mom,

I did have that testing done. I was told I had pelvic flood dysfunction also. Basically my muscles contract and relax opposite of when they are supposed to. I went for biofeedback before my surgery to retrain my muscles and they told me they did all they could for me. so i think that might still be part of the problem. Let me know how your testing goes and what they say. Have you found any ways to help yourself go?
Posted 3/20/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)

Rose

Well, I had the testing done. It wasn't as bad (embarassing) as I thought it was going to be. I was hoping I'd get some answers today, but they said that the doctor will go over the results and I'll hear something either tomorrow or on Monday.

I've been on Lactulose since the surgery. I take six tablespoons a day; two in the morning and two at night. Most of the time it will work to some degree, but sometimes it doesn't.

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