Wow. You have had a lot to deal with. So sorry. Have you gone to a gi Dr. Had any gi testing?barium swallow? Ph impedance testing? Motility testing? If I was in your position even though you don’t want to do to Dr. I would 100 percent go see a gi Dr! Give you peace of mind as well as a diagnosis. 😊

Also a ct scan? Or Cta scan? They sound necessary. At this point.

graceym1,
My parathyroid glands are over worked and under paid, 😱, I have slightly elevated calcium, has been trending up for 5+- years. I had secondary HPTH diagnosed in 2008, due to malabsorption... I have severely damaged villi in my intestines due to lifelong celiac disease, I didn't know it, because I am have been asymptomatic or have the opposite symptoms. This is also a surgery like yours... I could wait, and continue with a declining QoL, or get it done. My body systems are overwhelmed, with several problems, it has no fight left, so every time I turn around I get a different, more weird and serious diagnosis. I, like the other's will want to know what your decision is. Good luck. ShelleyW

Are you constipated even with daily Miralax? The dose can be adjusted upward quite a bit to get the right amount. I have been taking Miralax mixed with Metamucil in a 3/4:1/4 ratio. The metamucil adds some bulk to the stool helping it move along. I use generics for both. I wonder if you have a redundant (extra long and loopy). That makes too much water be absorbed from the stool resulting in consipation. Sometimes surgery to remove some colon is advised. I assume you are on a celiac diet? I have a similar problem with CC and it’s miserable. So sorry you’re dealing with this! I have times where I get so blocked up i take 8 caps of miralax over 2-3 hrs and that clears it. It’s like doing a colonoscopy prep mini style.

Shelley, I’m so sorry no one told you about the redundant colon for so many years. It is quite common and there is like you mentioned a hereditary component. I have a redundant colon as well and suffer from chronic constipation. I take a mixture of Metamucil 1/4 to MiraLAX three-quarter combination. It seems to work best for me. Because the colon is extra long more water is absorbed from the stool, which is the main purpose of the large intestine. So the stool gets harder and more difficult to pass. In severe cases of redundant colon, surgery can be done to remove part of the colon especially where the loops are . You have had terrible problems with this, and I certainly understand your anger and frustration that you were not given this information earlier when you could’ve been more proactive at preventing some of the problems you’ve had. I am a strong proponent of everyone reading their own imaging reports and lab reports , because these important bits of information slip through the cracks and go unnoticed all the time, putting patients at risk. The Metamucil adds bulk to the stool which helps it move through the G.I. tract whereas the MiraLAX adds water to the stool, so it counteracts the excessive water absorption by the long colon. I hope you are able to get this resolved and prevent further obstructions. I was hospitalized once at the Mayo Clinic for an impaction that made me terribly ill, and it was resolved by doing a colonoscopy prep routine with MiraLAX. Chronic constipation predisposes to diverticulosis and diverticulitis so keeping the bowel moving is crucial for prevention of those complications.

Shelley, I would if I could! I actually love teaching and explaining things in terms people understand. I hate that medical jargon is flung at patients, making them feel ignorant and embarrassed to ask what it all means. It’s one of the reasons I am here. I do appreciate your suggestion spiced with anger but humor😀

So sorry to hear how you’re feeling. Just a thought since I’m not a doctor. You may possibly be dehydrated. I was and didn’t know it. My bowel movements became loose and more frequent. I had some aches on my left side. My doctor diagnosed me and recommended electrolytes twice a day plus drinking more healthy fluids plus water. From your description, your food intake is low and drinking 7 up isn’t the best route.
Straight Bone broth is good to drink, electrolytes that are low sugar, soups that are broth based with vegetables to increase your fluid plus food intake along more water may help since you do not want to go to the doctor.
Best to you.
G.