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Slow transit constipation and surgery
Digestive Health | Last Active: Jul 14, 2023 | Replies (140)Comment receiving replies
I am sharing this in hopes that someone here might have suggestions as I seem to be running out treatment options.
About two years ago, I went from a lifetime of excellent digestion to digestive misery. Within the space of 5 to seven days, it was almost as if my entire digestive tract went on a kind of work slowdown and it has been there ever since. Symptoms are: constipation, bloating, pain, every stool type imaginable but not usually normal. And gas gas GAS. I never knew a human could produce as much as I often do. Pain in the lower abdomen is present more often than not, and tends to be localized in a particular area. I have lost about 80 lbs. since onset and cannot put on weight regardless of what I try to eat. Malabsorption is apparently a big factor.
The official diagnosis is chronic pancreatitis as part of IGg4 syndrome. This has supposedly been confirmed with both bloodwork and a needle biopsy of the pancreas. But I think what is causing my discomfort is some version of SIBO, as I cannot imagine anything but some kind of bacteria causing this kind of gas and bloating. I take Creon for pancreatic insufficiency and seem to do better with it, but I am still losing weight.
The docs seem to think I am an unusual case. The oddest thing about this (to me anyway) is how rapidly it started.
Thanks
Replies to "I am sharing this in hopes that someone here might have suggestions as I seem to..."
Hello @jim70 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am sorry to hear of your digestive difficulties. I have personally had 3 surgeries of the upper digestive tract for carcinoid cancer and I understand how volatile the digestive tract can become. I have a few suggestions that might be helpful.
First, I would suggest that you keep a food/symptom journal and write down everything you eat/drink and also record the type and severity of your symptoms. You might also jot down any activities that you are engaged in such as walking, other types of exercise, and also note any stresses you might be experiencing. This can be a good way to investigate what foods or behaviors are the main offenders or are helpful (such as walking after meals).
Another suggestion is to ask your doctor for a referral to a registered dietician at your medical facility. Dieticians can be very helpful in helping you modify your eating plan to produce the best health benefits for your digestive problems.
Have you tried any of these suggestions? I look forward to hearing from you again.
Will you post an update?
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I sure feel for you. When I was about 30 I ate an apple. No big deal but my stomach hurt afterwards and I became bloated and constipated and it lasted a full week. I spent years with reoccurring episodes and I never knew why. They always lasted about a week. When I was 60 or so, I finally became lactose intolerant which led me also to learn about FODMAP. Foods high in FODMAPs, I learned had to be avoided. I didn't have any idea about what was even about but now I follow the FODMAP diet and avoid all the foods high in FODMAPs. For example, foods that are high in FODMAPs are onions, garlic, pitted fruit, (apples are high also), beans.........I would encourage you to look online at information about it. It might be worth a try. I've learned through trial and error that there are a few things that I can tolerate without the week long side effects but I didn't try anything on the list of offenders and stayed with the low FODMAP foods. A good website: https://www.monashfodmap.com/ibs-central/i-have-ibs/starting-the-low-fodmap-diet/