Posted 6/7/2019 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi guys, I am having some real trouble with constipation at the moment, though it's been a problem since I was 2 months old. I recently had a colonic transit test and a small bowel transit study done, and both have showed slow transit. Because of the slow transit in my small intestine, my GI is reluctant to send me for surgery for an ileostomy, however I am at my wits end, I am so sick of all the medications I have tried, and all the pain it causes. In addition to the slow transit, I have had Crohn's disease in my colon/rectum for 8 years, and have had 3 surgeries for perianal abscess with fistula in the same place. My GI also wonders about pelvic floor issues as a contributing factor to the constipation.
I really want the surgery for a permanent ileostomy so I can avoid using my 'tail end' for evacuation because of all the trauma it has had previously. But I am told that the surgery is not likely to be successful. The thing is, I would be happy with the ostomy even if I was still having to use laxatives with it.
I am really at a loss of what to do right now. My doctor has ordered linaclotide/linzess for me to try, but I'm doubtful it will be a miracle cure.
I was hoping to get some feedback from ostomates on constipation with an ostomy... do you take laxatives? Is it very risky in terms of bowel obstruction with an ostomy? Is there something I could do to avoid it? Or how do you treat slow transit issues with an ostomy?
Any response would be greatly appreciated!
Hannah