Does anyone have short bowel syndrome?

In 2019 I had two bowel obstruction surgeries. Now I only have two feet of my small intestines and I have all of my Colon. I get constipated a lot. I know for short gut syndrome plain water can cause constipation because water doesn't absorb in the body very well because of a short small intestines. Fiber makes me more constipated. Miralax causes constipation for me. I see a GI doctor but he doesn't specialize in short gut syndrome. I have weakness, some nausea, dizziness, not hungry and I have lost weight.

Maybe need a doc who can address your problems more thoroughly….there are all kinds of ‘solutions’ for constipation, and we each need to get what works specifically for us. Wishing you relief !

@tjanet - I wanted to let you know I moved your post here to a discussion you started in the past so that you could return and talk further with members you've spoken with before about short gut syndrome, also called short bowel syndrome. Here's where I moved your post:

- Does anyone have short bowel syndrome? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/short-gut-syndrome/

How have you been managing the weakness and dizziness so far?

@lisalucier
I still suffer with weakness and dizziness. I haven't found anything that helps with my weakness or dizziness. Doctors don't know how to treat my symptoms.

@tjanet Try Magnesium Citrate.

@flnance
I have and it doesn't help either. Because of short gut syndrome it isn't good to take Magnesium citrate.

I think it’s very frustrating to find what works best for you but it’s seems that you’re not going to the proper doctor for your needs, they should be more informed about your situation and what can be done to help you cope. I think you need to get another doctor to see what might help you manage better than the doctor you are currently with, perhaps then you will get better results with a more effective treatment so you can eat better and get help with your bowel movements, best wishes.

I lost 5 ft. of my terminal ileum due to a cecal volvulous almost 5 years ago; also a little ascending colon removed. Prior to that emergency surgery, I dealt with constipation for almost 20 years. Do you think you are dehydrated? I was told to drink an oral rehydration solution (ORS) instead of water for life. Pedialyte gets expensive, so I make my own: 2 Tbsp sugar plus 3/4 tsp salt dissolved in 1 Liter water ( I add 1 packet of True Lemon to improve the flavor). The recipe along with others is in a great book the sugeon recommended about Short Bowel written by Carol Rees Parish. You just need to request it, it's free at shortbowelsyndrome.com.

@tjanet be very careful with magnesium, it can cause loose stools…the citrate form especially…magnesium glycinate is easier on the gut.

@flnance
So you are saying that you have 2’ of small intestine LEFT? How do you absorb nutrients with so much small intestine gone? They removed some 20’ of SI over 2 blockages? Are you fed parenterally? Colon processes waste products once SI has absorbed nutrients from food. What say your labs re: vital nutrients w/ 2’ SI? I wish you all the best in your situation!!