Slow transit constipation and surgery

@mothermary1 You certainly don’t want to go backwards! Has your doctor ever suggested Miralax or Benefiber? They are fiber stimulants rather than laxatives. I take a lot of calcium so i also use Miralax. Very gentle and works well. Have you tried it?

Wish to get back to tortuous colon thread

Becky I have been looking for your posts. I’m not any better. I’ve run through everything but I sit back and say I don’t want the total colectomy. Since I have posted I have tried to see motility doctors of a different gastro. It’s so bad than you can be this sick and they can say I have nothing for six months. It just leaves me hopeless. If been thinking all my time at Brighams with the Gastro doc he never once had labs ordered. I would always ask my pcp. My pcp found the pancreatic cysts 6 months ago and he has booked a six month mri because I have no appointment till January of next year with a pancreatic specialist. What if it’s something serious, it just doesn’t matter because you can’t get an appointment. I want this problem looked at before January 19th surgery if im even doing the surgery. I changed Gastro docs and see the new one December 23 that took six months. We have chatted briefly through portal but yesterday she writes Joanne I think you need a motility specialist, really. What is wrong with doctors. Im so upset that for months im treating myself along with my pcp but he keeps saying you pushed out surgery but we can’t get you into anyone to dig deeper. I guess you need to be closer to dying for anyone to take notice. Im so tired of medical and their cavalier attitude about just sit and wait or go to the ED if you get really bad. Well I hope you read this. Im stressed beyond belief because I canceled and hoped to look deeper into this severe motility issue but I can get help. So sad…Joanne

Good thought, tiss! I was going to ask her about that. I'm kind of pro SIBO now, BUT the incidence of SIBO and IBS going along together is so high (and I believe getting higher as more is being learned). I was thinking about that especially since her problem started after an illness... and possible infection.. I believe there was one there. I think SIBO should always be considered in chronic constipation IBS without a cause.. because there is a cause... they just don't know what it is most of the time.

Hi, not sure how you can read any of my prior posts but I’ve done everything you have done, so many tests to prove in fact I do have severe constipation. Find the best place and the best doctor. I live in NH and started here with just live like this attitude from 3 Gastro doctors. This was after doing a few tests,one the sitz marker which I completely failed. Find a good place. I live close to Boston so I’m very fortunate. The Gastro doctor there ran every test possible and in conclusion it was life this life or remove my entire colon so next month is the surgery. Yes, I’m 66 and scared. My surgeon is 85% sure I won’t need a bag so that’s good. I’m so tired of this life I probably would adjust to a bag if I get my life back. I don’t know where you live or how good your insurance is but I think you know where the good hospitals are. I would call. I would first gather everything about your history you possibly can. Bring every test result it saves so much time and do your best to go. They did not offer surgery to me right away at all. I went through many tests to find something and in the end it’s two choices,live like this or remove entire colon.best of luck…Joanne

They passed you along to me bc I posted about Sitz Marker test. I saw a surgeon Tuesday for a second opinion for a Colectomy. She wants me to do the study to determine appropriate surgery. I’m really worried as I barely have BM’s now on numerous meds and can’t imagine 11 days with nothing. However, my main concern is if you don’t poop at all, do any of those rings go anywhere? I don’t want to go through all this for nothing.

Hello @januaryjane,

Since you have had a problem with slow transit constipation, I'm wondering if you know the cause? For example, have you had surgeries of the intestinal tract? Do you have any food allergies or problems with specific foods?

Since this has been a long term problem for you, I'm sure you must practice exercises such as taking a short walk after meals and/or exercises that specifically stimulate the digestive tract like bending at the waist, etc. What about your liquid/fiber consumption? These are all things that are quite helpful but they require diligence to practice the techniques.

I look forward to hearing from you again and understanding more of what you are experiencing. Will you post again?

Hello all.
I have had the redundant colon all my life ( hard to believe ) !!!! I am now 73.
I’ve lived on laxatives and fibre and it’s miserable because it constantly gets used to one product and then fecal compaction occurs.
It’s a big worry now and I want to have surgery . Has anyone else had successful partial removal ?
Desperate….
Sheila