1. < Digestive Health

Slow gi motility with severe constipation

Posted by sallyw133 @sallyw133, Feb 28, 2023

I’ve posted here before under other topics but decided to start my own thread. Diagnosed three years ago
With extremely slow gi motility, stomach down, but symptoms primarily in colon which takes 82 hrs to process. Been to numerous drs, including motility specialists, and just no relief. Also claim some pelvic floor issues so I’ve done therapy twice. My main problem is finding a regimen to maintain some kind of regularity. I’m on Bethanichol, normally for urinary retention, but helps with motility, and Amitiza daily. Then add in mineral oil, senna, dulcolax as needed. The dailies help some, but not enough, so gradually add in others, then diarrhea. Or increase dose if dailies and same. Then there’s the “is it diarrhea or overflow” issue? My gi is little help. All questions go through nurse who never gets details right or doesn’t call back for days. I’d switch, but I have no idea who else to go to as can’t go to just a regular gi. I have been on every constipation med and have even consulted a surgeon re an ileostomy, but that just sounds like a whole new group of problems. Any one there share these issues?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

lonestarinitaly | @lonestarinitaly | Jan 16 10:31am
In reply to @slangston "Sally, everything you said is ditto for me. I have a consult going in to colorectal..." + (show)
@slangston

Sally, everything you said is ditto for me. I have a consult going in to colorectal surgery at Mayo. I have had all of the normal GI slow motility tests done and taken all of the routine meds usually prescribed. I have to add to the Linzess 145mcg , Senna, Slow Move Tea, magnesum, sometimes magnesium citrate Liquid. If I add MOM it is more severe diarrhea. Actually it's diarrhea or nothing, but MOM will work for sure if I add it. I also take Bentyl 10 mg for the abdominal pain/bloating. The GI doctors I have seen in my area, do the routine tests and drugs and now told me that I need a totak ciolectomy with ileostomy. None of them "look outside of the box".
I read on the Mayo Rochester website that the colorectal department works with the GI motility clinic is which under the gastroenterogy department. I have been avoiding the surgery option for over a year.
I hope you are doing better and figured some of this out. Thanks for your post.

Jump to this post

What is MOM??

REPLY
pagray24 | @pagray24 | Jan 17 5:46am
In reply to @sallyw133 "I’ve never heard of that procedure. Interesting. I asked my CR surgeon about a colostomy rather..." + (show)
@sallyw133

I’ve never heard of that procedure. Interesting. I asked my CR surgeon about a colostomy rather than ileostomy because all my research indicated much easier to live with. She wouldn’t consider and just offered up another surgeon for second opinion. However, I’ve often found doctors in same practice tend to think same.
Just came across program at Mayo on “bowel training” that has high success rate. Am considering though pretty involved with at least two trips of one to two week stays. They are in MN and I’m in PA. But I’m at desperation point!

Jump to this post

Hi, I'm in PA and considered the trek to MN Mayo. When they expressed concern that it may not work for me and would be out of pocket pay I had to reconsider. I'm in south eastern PA.

REPLY
1 reply
judithclark | @judithclark | Jan 17 11:21am
In reply to @pagray24 "Hi, I'm in PA and considered the trek to MN Mayo. When they expressed concern that..." + (show)
@pagray24

Hi, I'm in PA and considered the trek to MN Mayo. When they expressed concern that it may not work for me and would be out of pocket pay I had to reconsider. I'm in south eastern PA.

Jump to this post

Your insurance probably has another med center to where you may be referred.
I live in Reno and the best doctors here say they do not have the expertise for my issues. My insurance also won’t cover the Mayo Clinic. Tomorrow I fly to Salt Lake City. I have an appointment with a colorectal surgeon at the University of Utah Medical Center. U of Utah is covered by my insurance.

REPLY
xiaolung | @xiaolung | Jan 17 1:04pm

Have you had a colonoscopy? Is your gut shorter or longer or twisted? Have you have a thyroid test?
I was having trouble with constipation and found that psyllium helped me because my body was pulling too much moisture out of the large intestine (feces) which would then make it hard to move out.
I read a book about cancer which had a chapter on constipation. I don't have the title. Anyway, psyllium to me is the best moderator. It acts to prevent constipation or loose bowels. I take mine with chocolate almond milk, every day, around noon. Start with a teaspoon of two and work up to a tablespoon.

REPLY
celia16 | @celia16 | Jan 18 3:35pm
In reply to @brendaharvey "I suffered for almost 4 years. Found a surgeon who did a Pyloroplasty on November 1..." + (show)
@brendaharvey

I suffered for almost 4 years.
Found a surgeon who did a Pyloroplasty on November 1 and I am so much better.
Linzess really made me cramp all day (was in bed a lot).
The Motegrity was even worse for me.

Jump to this post

Can you describe the cramping? I was taking Lubiprostone twice a day until I started having rectal cramping in left side. I’ve never had anything like it. No cramping in belly though. It hasn’t returned since I stopped the meds. Just curious. I think Lubiprostone works like Linzess.

REPLY
researchmaven | @researchmaven | Jan 19 1:17pm

First, get a new GI doc. Consult Castle and Connolly. Thoroughly researched best docs - not a pay to play advertising platform. Why not go to a gifted doctor as opposed to an average one?

Second, look at your supplements. Melatonin absolutely stopped my motility, for example.

Third and last, have you thought about trying dietary enzymes...or have you been tested to see if you have a deficiency?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.