Colonic Inertia

• By jacy1
• Posted April 11, 2008 at 12:06 pm

hi cmullinex

i was diagnosed three years ago with IBS-constipation. Managed relatively well with Zelnorm, laxatives etc until a year and a half ago when nothing worked and I could not eliminate waste without daily enemas and drinking Golytely( the prep to prepare for a colonoscopy > and a lot of pain. After a year of doctors, medical tests, a visit to the Mayo clinic and major weight loass and being very sick, it was finally determined that my motility was okay that the problem was a severe pelvic floor dysfunction which prevented the sphinctor muscle from functioning correctly. probably a nerve problem with the autonomic nervvous system - tried biofeedback, physical thereapy etc and nothing worked. After trying everything, I also considered removal of the large intestine , but the surgeon reviewed all my medical records etc and felt that a colectomy was not needed, because he was convinced too that the problem was at the end and my only hope was a fecal diversion, a colostomy. I had the surgery in January ( it was done by laparoscopy) and I now live with a bag on my abdomen to eliminate waste. It has been an adjustment learning to live with a colostomy, but its working and my life is 80%better than it was last year.
The surgeon I had was great ( I live in Texas) and he worked with me for five month to try everything to abvoid this route, but I have to say I'm glad to have done it , because now I have a life.

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• By Kerri-ann
• Posted May 13, 2008 at 5:06 pm

AMITZIA MADE ME FEEL SO HORRIBLE MY DR. PULLED ME OFF OF IT AS WELL, HAD THE COLECTOMY AND SMALL INTESTINE IS NOW AS SLUGGISH AS THE COLON WAS, THAT WAS 5 YRS AGO THE SURGERY WAS SUPPOSED TO MAKE ME BETTER, IT DID NOT I AM ACTUALLY WORSE THAN EVER. I HAVE SO MANY THINGS WRONG THEY WERE UNAWARE OF PRE SURGERY THAT SINCE SURGERY ALL FLARED UP. JUST KEEP TRYING DIFFERENT MEDS, ANTIBIOTICS FOR INTESTINES LIKE FLAGYL ALWAYS HELP ME, CAN'T STAY ON IT LONG SO MY DR. SWITCHES THEM AROUND, I TAKE A TON OF OTHER MEDS TOO BUT THE ANTIBIOTICS SEEM TO HELP WITH THE BACTERIA IN THE INTESTINE.

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• By fluttergirl
• Posted June 12, 2008 at 1:37 pm

it's been awhile since i talked to you. I too have pfd and i go through so much pain i don't know what to do anymore. My gastro doesn't even know about pfd, what kind of doctor did u see about it? I also have trouble getting my pee out! I'm glad your life is better but i'm only 41 and i don't want to resort to a bag. I'll just have to live with it for now i guess. I have to work, i am single with a son. Can u get disability for that?

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• By jacy1
• Posted June 12, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Hi there

I went the whole gamut from internist to GI doc to OB/GYN surgeon specializing in pelvid floor dysfunction etc. The OB/GYN did the most thourough exam and said that she could feel that my anal sphinctor would contract in spasms as opposed to relaxing, but that there was nothing in the pelvic region that could be done surgically that would help.
At the Mayo clinic ( who dignosed the pelvice floor dysfunction), they told me surgery is the last last resort, because there is no guarantee that it would solve the problem and that I should try to live with it as long as possible without surgery. Well I did that for another six month. Nothing, absolutely nothing worked for me ( not three tof ive enemas per day and Golytely every three or so days) Quite frankly I did not want to live anymore, I was in so much pain and misery. o I finally decided to have the surgery. My surgeon reviewed all my tests, did another colonoscopy and felt fairly confident that my motility was okay and that it was truly functional ( probably nerve related) obstructive defecation and he felt that I did not have to have the colon removed only diverted at the end sigmoid. If it would not work, I would have to undergo the surgery again, removing the large intestine and having an ileostomy ( thats where the end of the small intestine is brougth through the abdomen.
I had the surgery in January, recovered well and so far its working, I still have to watch what I eat and take a dose of Milk of Magnesia everyday, but I now have a life.
Actually most people that have this surgery recover well and can do anything every one else can do. i just go to the bathroom differently. I've learned to take care of the bag etc and its actually not much of a problem. You can't see it or smell it, I can and do go swimming a lot, could go to work ( if I wanted to)
jacy

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• By kdrouet
• Posted June 13, 2008 at 4:42 pm

Jacy - which surgery did you have, the removal of your colon completely OR the diversion at the end sigmoid? i have slow motility disease and had my colon removed at the Mayo but since i didn't have pelvic floor dysfunction, i was able to keep my rectum and it was a straight hook-up from small intestine to rectum - my colon was dead, no nerves left. i have the disease in my small intestine, but not nearly as bad as the colon. i would say i am about 70% recovered and have my life mostly back - one that i am VERY grateful for because i was in a hopeless state for years prior. just curious if they did remove the colon or diverted it? glad you are feeling better - i am a believer in surgery, wish i had done mine sooner!

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• By jacy1
• Posted June 14, 2008 at 11:33 am

kdrouet
I was able to keep the colon, but its severed from the rectum and the surgeon built a stoma on my abdomen , such that I discharge into a bag. The ostomy supplies cost about $250.00 per month, but I'm lucky, my insurance pays it all. I too am about 70% better and have my life bakc and am also very grateful.
( I also live in Texas, used to live in the Woodlands.

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