Colon Resection for Diverticulitis and Chronic Constipation

Of course I have. I’ve had every test under the sun. No one knows the answer other than IBS and pelvic dysfunction..
I’ve had pelvic therapy and follow a low fodmap diet with little result on the belly size.

So sorry to hear that. This is concerning. 😒

But I’m also 77 yrs old so part of my problem may be age related.

I will just say that colons are finicky and get grumpy easily. Be patient because it may calm down and do what it’s supposed to. Yes - it takes lots of fiber and in my experience it takes both dietary and supplement forms, along with 8-10 glasses of water. Sometimes stool softeners at night do the trick but sometimes it takes an outright laxative.

We all wish there were better options. Sadly it seems not. Or not yet.

I had surgery for diverticulitis in June. Initially I had some trouble having bowel movements but on August 5th it turned to severe diarrhea and has not stopped. I have had 2 sigmoidoscopies, tests for everything under the sun and all they come up with is mild colitis. I have lost close to 15 pounds and become weak. I have tried so many meds, including budesonide, but nothing has worked. Currently I am taking tincture of opium, drinking cholestestyramine, and taking dicyclomine before bed.
I can't really tell if anything has helped yet. I am starting a low fodmap diet but it's hard since I really can't lose any more weight.

It could be SIBO or malabsorption.

Thank you, @verol65, for your reply. The op report states the following:

PROCEDURE PERFORMED:
Robotic low anterior resection.
Intraoperative proctoscopy.

Anastomosis in a triple staple technique.

Thank you, @blueviolet !!
How was your recovery from the surgery? Any tips to make it easier, more comfortable, less painful?

Update: My IBS-C seems to have gotten worse. Even foods that I could eat fairly freely until just recently now cause symptoms.

Back to research. I recently discovered on my Monash app low FODMAP dietary supplements for digesting starches like starch, fructose and fiber. Only one brand was listed -- Intoleran. I tried all three Intoleran dietary enzymes and got immense relief. I'd say 85% better on the physical side, an amazing result, but I need to take the enzymes before my first bite; otherwise, not as good a result at all.

(I am also slowly experimenting with a supplement to help me digest protein.)

Another change is that I have dropped mineral oil at night; it didn't seem to be solving the problem at the small dose I was willing to take, perhaps due to my gut worsening. Instead, I take a slippery elm tea upon rising. It adds slip and really soothes my intestines (ahhh...).

And lastly, though my GI recommended magnesium as a stool softener, it also helps with anxiety. Over 60% of Americans have a magnesium deficiency. My ever-present anxiety, which has plagued me for four years+ is now quite dented with the magnesium. I take Hilma Gentle Bowel Movement Support (one magnesium capsule each morning and night as I am sensitive to supplements and drugs). I also learned a CBT hypnosis routine from GI Psychology in Burke, VA (telehealth).

I am just wondering why I am not producing the dietary enzymes I need for digestion, and am looking into that with expert doctors.

Thank you, @verol65

Recovery was extremely difficult, as I have trouble taking narcotics. Others should not have issues if that is not their case. It has been more than three years now since the surgery and I still have trouble with constipation and the actual BM itself. With more of the rectum removed than is ideal, I feel this is just what I will have to live with. I have not had any issues with diverticulitis since the surgery, so I will take that as a positive. Thank you, again.