Constipation and Sacral Nerve Stimulation?

Hello @jlstjohn, There is another older discussion in a different group on the sacral nerve stimulator that might be helpful to read members experience.
-- Anyone have experience with having a Sacral nerve stimulator?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-experience-with-having-a-sacral-nerve-stimulator/

Tagging a few members who may have some information or experience with sacral nerve stimulation for constipation in themselves or someone they know @astaingegerdm @jenatsky @shirl48 @p95 @wdywms @cathyas.

This summer I saw a Mayo GI PA in the hopes of getting the sacral nerve stimulation, & she said it did not work for IBS-D. Sad face. I have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction too.

@lisalucier
I'm sorry, I can't help. Mine was for fecal urgency and too many BMs, not constipation.

Hi @jlstjohn - you mentioned not having much success with pelvic floor physical therapy. I had pelvic floor therapy for bladder prolapse, but I finally "failed" therapy and was basically told I was done. I guess I'm just not coordinated in those regions, and sometimes I would push/pull in the opposite way as I was instructed, but not at all on purpose.

What have you decided about the sacral nerve stimulation?

Thank you for sharing your experience with pelvic floor PT. I have felt like a huge failure because I could also not coordinate my muscles as they should. I guess a lifetime of doing it wrong makes reversing it much more difficult. I have an appointment in January regarding the sacral nerve stimulation. First I need to address chronoc internal hemorrhoids in a few weeks with the colorectal surgeon. I hope I make it to the appointment, they are getting worse :(.

@jlstjohn - no problem. I remember leaving the last pelvic floor therapy appointment feeling very down, like I'd failed a class or something. I guess another way to look at it is that the therapy failed me - it just didn't work for me. It ultimately all turned out okay. I had prolapse surgery, which is what I really needed, anyway.

You mentioned dealing with hemorrhoids. Those are painful. I wanted to point out that you might check out other Mayo Clinic Connect discussions on this topic so you can see what others have dealt with and what has given them relief:

- What works for severe hemorrhoids? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-works-for-severe-hemorrhoids/

- In-office hemorrhoid ablation, anybody? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/in-office-hemorrhoid-ablation-anybody/

@jlstjohn
My husband was / is dealing with similar issues, constipation, hemorrhoids and pelvic floor dysfunction. He was able to help his constipation by changing to an extremely high fiber diet, cut out a lot of processed foods / diary and takes miralax and magnesium citrate gummies every day. It took a while for him to find the right balance. I also wanted to mention it may be an idea to try a different pelvic floor therapist if available in your area. He has been to quite a few, but it took him a while before finding someone who seemed to be able to help specifically. I hope you find relief soon!

Hello. May I ask which colorectal doctors at Mayo--or, really, any doctors anywhere--are willing to discuss sacral nerve stimulator implants for constipation?

My gastroenterologist suggested a sacral nerve stimulator to treat my constipation. (I've had every kind of test, tried every prescription drug, done PT for a year, treated SIBO, had adhesion lysis, etc.) However, the colorectal surgeons I've spoken to in the Atlanta area, where I live, just say that sacral nerve stimulators are not FDA approved for constipation and won't pursue the conversation further. I would be willing to try to pay for the treatment out of pocket if it would work and allow me to avoid an ostomy or other major colon surgery. (I'm fairly young and athletic.)

I traveled to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville to see a gastroenterologist in the past. I've since transferred my care closer to home. But I'd be go back to Florida--or as I say, pretty much anywhere--if I could find a minimally invasive treatment that would help with this condition that has come to dominate my life and is getting worse and worse.

Thanks for any help or tips.

I see provders at Emplify Health by Gundersen in southwest Wisconsin. I was referred from my Gastroenterologist to a colorectal surgeon, then to a Urogynecologist. She said the same thing, that sacral nerve stimulation is not approved for constipation, but if there iare also urinary issues, often insurance will approve it. Based on my body type, she did not think I would be a candidate for the SNS (I am thin, it would be too hard to hide the unit), but she told me how to use a home TENS unit to stimulate sacral nerve via the tibial nerve. There are a lot of You Tube videos by PTs that demonstrate how to do it. I have been doing this for over a month now. She said to give it at least three, so I will. But I do seem to have some improved motility already. I hope this is helpful. I agree, an ostomy is the last resort for me, too, but it is on the table, unfortunately.