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Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC): Diagnostic Experiences

Posted by bouli @bouli, 3 days ago

I was diagnosed with CIC three years ago. I take two prescription meds for it and I just saw a colorectal surgeon who wants to do an anal manometry, a sitz marker test and an MRI defecography. Anyone have any experience with this?

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bouli | @bouli | 1 day ago
In reply to @jsee "All the test that you mentioned would be beneficial in giving them more information to the..." + (show)
@jsee

All the test that you mentioned would be beneficial in giving them more information to the cause of your CIC. I have had all three of them done. None of them are test to have done, but they do give information to rule without any obstructive cause, anatomical problems, or pelvic floor coordination that might be causing your problems. The sitz marker test will also tell them your transit time and how fast things move through your colon. All of these allow my doctors to have more information to decide if there was something that needed to be done surgically or not. Good luck to you and I hope that if you choose to do the test that they will give them more information to guide your care!

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It sounds like MRI defecography looks for the same thing as the manometry and the colorectal surgeon wasn’t insisting on this as much as the other two. Part of my hesitation is that these tests are all elective so I’m guessing expensive. The other part of my hesitation is that what I’m doing now is working. Not without a downside- diarrhea from the meds which is sometimes unpredictable, difficulty traveling with the unpredictability etc. So I’m weighing the options.

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bouli | @bouli | 1 day ago
In reply to @bxavier1 "Hello Had it done this AM! Took about 25 minutes. A catheter is inserted in the..." + (show)
@bxavier1

Hello
Had it done this AM!
Took about 25 minutes.
A catheter is inserted in the u know what.
A balloon attached to the proximal tip of the Catheter is then inflated.
U will be asked to hold and push as instructed by the clinician.
U will also be asked to tell them your sensations each time they inject more air into the ballon.
Then the inflated ballon attached to the Cather will be left inside u for u to push and strain until it gets ejected from your behind
The whole thing is to measure the musculature and contractions of your lower intestine , I believe.
No anesthesia needed only lubricantbis applied to the area to ease insertion of the catheter.
Hope this can help
Sincerely

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Thank you. I’d be interested in knowing what they advise you to do after they get the results if you’re willing to share that.

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1 reply
bxavier1 | @bxavier1 | 1 day ago
In reply to @bouli "Thank you. I’d be interested in knowing what they advise you to do after they get..." + (show)
@bouli

Thank you. I’d be interested in knowing what they advise you to do after they get the results if you’re willing to share that.

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Of course I will definitely let u know. I was told results should come in about 10 days , but it should take less than. I asked them to flag it as urgent.
Best, bernard

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bouli | @bouli | 1 day ago

I really appreciate it, Bernard. Trying to find information on this condition is really difficult.
Susan

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jsee | @jsee | 1 day ago

I agree that the MRI and the manometry will show some of the same stuff if it is just pelvic floor dysfunction. So the two priority test would be the manometry and the sitz marker test. These both check off a lot of the boxes. The MRI would show more dysfunction or anatomical problems that likely need surgical fix but you could check the other two first and if those were both normal then decide if you want the MRI.

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1 reply
bouli | @bouli | 1 day ago
In reply to @jsee "I agree that the MRI and the manometry will show some of the same stuff if..." + (show)
@jsee

I agree that the MRI and the manometry will show some of the same stuff if it is just pelvic floor dysfunction. So the two priority test would be the manometry and the sitz marker test. These both check off a lot of the boxes. The MRI would show more dysfunction or anatomical problems that likely need surgical fix but you could check the other two first and if those were both normal then decide if you want the MRI.

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Yes, that makes sense.

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hogan2 | @hogan2 | 6 minutes ago

I had the anal manometry and found out my muscles were not contracting and relaxing properly leading to pelvic floor dysfunction. I was sent for pelvic floor therapy. Also had a defecagraphy test done and found out had a mild rectocele. I was sent to pelvic floor therapy again. Due to DJD and spinal arthritis and weak pelvis was unable to gain much benefit from it. The concept is good and may work for many but due to other issues did not work for me. I continue to struggle with severe constipation and primarily use Senna since also have slow transit constipation. Due to painful spinal arthritis, DJD and constipation and pelvic floor issues it is challenging to know what to do. Still working on it. Recently started seeing a pain management group . and am hopeful. Constipation issues still awful and trial and error. have tried miralax, linzess, dulcolax, MOM . Any suggestions welcome. thank you for the opportunity to compare notes with these issues. I just keep praying and being hopeful. TY

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