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Constipation and Sacral Nerve Stimulation?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Feb 18 3:19pm | Replies (23)Comment receiving replies
@roseee You have been through the ringer trying to manage your constipation with related symptoms it is causing.
You mention an additional diagnosis so I went to the home page and searched for it. You may find it helpful to review what others are discussing there if you have not already.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis Discussions https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/
You also mention questioning what one GI doc you saw at Mayo Jacksonville said, that your AS was irrelevant to your digestive problems. Some of the AS comments above discuss digestive concerns. Not the same thing but related to back mobility is Lumbar Spine Stenosis and others have talked how both these problems can be related to digestive function: @marip, @anniebrook, @upstatephil, @gently, @jdlr.
I want to address your biggest problems right now, that of MiraLAX causing damage and bloating in your GI. I am surprised to hear you say this about MiraLAX. I was told while it isn’t normal to need it long-term at my age it will not hurt me. I have been taking 1 1/2 capfuls daily along with a GI med and Senna (since they all work differently). I have figured out a schedule splitting them all up and that consistency in my diet as well as alternative meds keeps me pretty steady. I agree, the bloating is horrible and the combination of all of this has helped settle it down.
You must work with a rheumatologist as well. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Mayo Clinic MN is the area that treats pelvic floor dysfunction I referred to earlier and I notice areas that treat Ankylosing Spondylitis include Rheumatology and PM&R as well. Mayo Clinic’s strength is collaboration so may well be worth discussing with your providers. Here is information about this department, an overview of their focus to diagnose and treat a variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and the musculoskeletal system:
- Mayo Clinic Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/physical-medicine-rehabilitation-mayo-clinic/sections/overview/ovc-20467039
All this to circle back to your initial comment here on @jlstjohn’s discussion about Sacral Nerve Stimulation. I hope I am providing food for thought and not confusing your situation.
You mention MiraLAX damaging your body. What is happening when you take it now? What do you think your next step should be?
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@jlharsh Thank you for such quick and thorough replies.
My Miralax dose is very large: I have to take at least 6 caps every day. With some frequency I have to add other laxatives as well. I have been told my colorectal surgeons that my colon is just going to stop responding to the medication and I fear my body is already dependent on meds.
The spinal issues you bring up are indeed food for thought. I have "degenerative disc disease, mild lumbar spondylosis L5-S1" according to recent imaging. My rheumatologist said it was unremarkable, but I didn't think to ask him about digestive impacts. I wonder if I should explore the issue further, or if "mild" does indeed mean it's not a problem.
I do have a rheumatologist, though not at Mayo. When I initially came to Mayo's gastroenterology department in Jacksonville, it was in hopes of collaborative care, but the doctor I saw would not discuss anything other than pelvic floor dysfunction. (I agree that I have that and continue to try to treat it, but I also have other problems.) When I am able to afford to travel to Mayo again in the future, maybe a different gastroenterologist would have a different approach. Or should I start with a colorectal surgeon or a rheumatologist? The wait time for appointments is long and I am not sure what department to reach out to first.