HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Toxic mega colon

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/7/2012 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
My GI is always mentioning this as a concern. Anyone had experience or know the signs?
Posted 9/7/2012 11:31 AM (GMT 0)
TMC can be excruciating painful and/or deadly, which is probably why your GI mentioned it. Your colon basically stops working which in turn can cause rupturing and sepsis. The signs are lack of intestinal noises, unable to defecate or pass gas and abdominal extenstion.

I've never had it, obviously, but it's always a fear for me - mainly because nothing ever goes right with me! lol
Posted 9/7/2012 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm always worried about this too. Thank you Sherry for clarifying the symptoms. So as long as I hear my belly and as long as I can pass gas, I should be ok :)
Posted 9/7/2012 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Gas, noises and pooping = good

NO gas, noises and pooping = bad....very bad
Posted 9/7/2012 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
how do you differentiate between constipation, obstruction and megacolon if they all present with no movements?
Posted 9/7/2012 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure but when in doubt, contact your doctor.

I've never had an obstruction but with constipation, I can still feel movement or hear sounds, I just can't go.
Posted 9/7/2012 3:00 PM (GMT 0)
This is actually more rare then your doctor probably led you to believe.
Posted 9/7/2012 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had TMC that was turned around by colon rest.
It was very scary, life threatening and happily in the past.
Posted 9/7/2012 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
i was on another forum reading a story about a young guy who had this. his colon was filled with gas and the doctors literally had a tube in him 24/7 to pump out the air. he ended up needing emergency colon removal because they said it would rupture if he didn't get it out.
Posted 9/7/2012 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I wonder about this TMC too.. Do you have to be in a very bad flare to get it? Or can it happen just random?
Posted 9/7/2012 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
I think the colon tissue actually swells as well as having "stuff" stopped up in it. You can get TMC from other things aside from UC (CDiff can give it to you too). I think it is very rare as well, but considering the consequences that's probably why your GI mentioned it.

I love that Dr's mention "watch out for toxic megacolon" but then don't go into signs and symptoms. :(
Posted 9/7/2012 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Kind of like how they start introducing you to surgery when your first signs of ulcerative colitis is extremely minor :-(
Posted 9/7/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
I swear my GI mentions it whenever I bring up trying something, or rather not trying something, almost as if to cover her butt. Same with the colon puncture risk if you do a colonoscopy on a flaring patient.
Posted 9/7/2012 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like your GI is trying to bully you by using scare tactics. TMC is rare...I means it's a possibility we all have to keep in the back of our mind but the chances of you getting it are slim.
Posted 9/7/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
My GI has never mentioned TMC, colon perforation during colonoscopy or surgery. Good or bad? LOL
Posted 9/8/2012 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
LOL same here I never heard of TMC from my GI. I learn a lot more on here and through research than through my GI as well as my general practitioner. I think it's safe to say it's definitely a bad sign! haha
Posted 9/8/2012 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
"how do you differentiate between constipation, obstruction and megacolon if they all present with no movements?"

You dont so you do what I did and drive to hospital, really sick, feeding daughter cross streets in case I passed out.

It was an obstruction and he could not free it, finally got ex to drop off enema - relief. You get very sick from that constant barfing major naseau but you cannot take a chance its toxic mega colon.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply