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Constipation and Sacral Nerve Stimulation?
Has anyone had experience with sacral nerve stimulation for treating constipation? My colorectal surgeon brought it up as a possible option for my case, but he said some do not respond to it. I also have pelvic floor dysfunction, which is likely the main contributor to my evacuation struggles. I have been through pelvic floor physical therapy twice, but have not had much success with it. I do depend on a tool my therapist recommended called a pelvic wand, but now I am dealing with significant hemorrhoids, as well, so the surgeon thinks we may need to try the SNS.
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Hello @jlstjohn, There is another older discussion in a different group on the sacral nerve stimulator that might be helpful to read members experience.
-- Anyone have experience with having a Sacral nerve stimulator?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/anyone-have-experience-with-having-a-sacral-nerve-stimulator/
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2 ReactionsTagging a few members who may have some information or experience with sacral nerve stimulation for constipation in themselves or someone they know @astaingegerdm @jenatsky @shirl48 @p95 @wdywms @cathyas.
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1 ReactionThis summer I saw a Mayo GI PA in the hopes of getting the sacral nerve stimulation, & she said it did not work for IBS-D. Sad face. I have Pelvic Floor Dysfunction too.
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2 Reactions@lisalucier
I'm sorry, I can't help. Mine was for fecal urgency and too many BMs, not constipation.
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1 ReactionHi @jlstjohn - you mentioned not having much success with pelvic floor physical therapy. I had pelvic floor therapy for bladder prolapse, but I finally "failed" therapy and was basically told I was done. I guess I'm just not coordinated in those regions, and sometimes I would push/pull in the opposite way as I was instructed, but not at all on purpose.
What have you decided about the sacral nerve stimulation?
Thank you for sharing your experience with pelvic floor PT. I have felt like a huge failure because I could also not coordinate my muscles as they should. I guess a lifetime of doing it wrong makes reversing it much more difficult. I have an appointment in January regarding the sacral nerve stimulation. First I need to address chronoc internal hemorrhoids in a few weeks with the colorectal surgeon. I hope I make it to the appointment, they are getting worse :(.
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2 Reactions@jlstjohn - no problem. I remember leaving the last pelvic floor therapy appointment feeling very down, like I'd failed a class or something. I guess another way to look at it is that the therapy failed me - it just didn't work for me. It ultimately all turned out okay. I had prolapse surgery, which is what I really needed, anyway.
You mentioned dealing with hemorrhoids. Those are painful. I wanted to point out that you might check out other Mayo Clinic Connect discussions on this topic so you can see what others have dealt with and what has given them relief:
- What works for severe hemorrhoids? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/what-works-for-severe-hemorrhoids/
- In-office hemorrhoid ablation, anybody? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/in-office-hemorrhoid-ablation-anybody/
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1 Reaction@jlstjohn
My husband was / is dealing with similar issues, constipation, hemorrhoids and pelvic floor dysfunction. He was able to help his constipation by changing to an extremely high fiber diet, cut out a lot of processed foods / diary and takes miralax and magnesium citrate gummies every day. It took a while for him to find the right balance. I also wanted to mention it may be an idea to try a different pelvic floor therapist if available in your area. He has been to quite a few, but it took him a while before finding someone who seemed to be able to help specifically. I hope you find relief soon!
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