1. < Digestive Health

Redundant/Tortuous Colon & Severe Constipation

Posted by kjn72 @kjn72, Nov 8, 2022

JN: I am a 72y/o woman with severe constipation & a redundant colon. 7 years ago I had 14" of colon removed and 3 additional surgeries for a rectocele, entrocele and another bowel prolapse. I have been severely constipated before and after surgeries. I have tried evert kind of otc med, laxatives, fibers and many prescribed meds, drink 1/2 gallon of water, swim 4-5 times weekly, do zumba nothing works. I have thrown up after 6 days of not going. I have pains in right upper and left lower abdominal areas. I am enema dependent to empty my bowels, it is a painful process and can last for 3 hours every time I do it. 2 surgeons recommended colectomy, 1 did not. 1 GI recommended surgery, 2 did not. I am a young 72 and want to continue living actively with less difficulty. Anyone have surgery that worked, and what kind to eliminate this problem? I have been told that colectomy can also produce bloating, gas, things I am already dealing with. Thank you for your help
JN

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jackielb | @jackielb | Nov 17, 2022

There's a product i use called Atrantil from time to time. Helps with bloating, abdominal discomfort, & change in bowel habits

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Keith Moon | @jcarndt | Nov 17, 2022
In reply to @sallyw133 "I wish they would use the portal. My neurologist/headache specialist at Cleveland Clinic uses My Chart...." + (show)
@sallyw133

I wish they would use the portal. My neurologist/headache specialist at Cleveland Clinic uses My Chart. My messages do initially go through her clinical team but then are passed through to her. “She” answers them herself. And if you reply with another question, it goes directly to her. I love her and that system works great! I wish I could find a gi that would do the same. It would change my life.

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I'm familiar with Cleveland Clinic MyChart. Not for my Gastro doc, he's in Pittsburgh. But I do see a Hematologist and a Urology surgeon in Cleveland and I have no problems communicating with either one. And I've never had a problem calling the office and talking with a nurse.
They have a pretty good system.......or I've just been lucky !

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1 reply
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Nov 17, 2022
In reply to @jcarndt "I'm familiar with Cleveland Clinic MyChart. Not for my Gastro doc, he's in Pittsburgh. But I..." + (show)
@jcarndt

I'm familiar with Cleveland Clinic MyChart. Not for my Gastro doc, he's in Pittsburgh. But I do see a Hematologist and a Urology surgeon in Cleveland and I have no problems communicating with either one. And I've never had a problem calling the office and talking with a nurse.
They have a pretty good system.......or I've just been lucky !

Jump to this post

I think it’s just the individual dr. My former gi was at cc and he wouldn’t use My Chart. Said he was too busy to answer all those messages. Everything went through nurses. Same problem there. My messages were never accurately conveyed to him so directions back weren’t appropriate. Had to wait weeks for actual apt.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @sallyw133 "At my initial visit, he advised starting it at one three times a day then second..." + (show)
@sallyw133

At my initial visit, he advised starting it at one three times a day then second day go to two three times a day, Woow, Way too much. Called back. Here the fellow I met with first messed up what I was currently taking. So, now taking 1/2 tab 3 times a day. Also be sure to take on empty stomach. Told me I had to give it two weeks. If no BM after 4-5 days, use Dulcolax. Also use IBGuard every day.
Well, I’ve had mixed results. That alone isn’t enough. When I try to bump up dosage very much, side effects. Night sweats, insomnia, “brain zaps”. I’m ok at a whole one at mid-day, but no more. He says he thinks 3-4 BM’s a week are good. Not for me. If I don’t go most every day, I don’t feel good. But overall, this is the best I’ve felt in ages. I felt terrible on Motegrity, which was my previous dr’s go-to drug. Always nauseous. So I don’t want to give up on it yet. I’ve been adding in a little Miralax. A little mineral oil. Trying to avoid the big Dulcolax purge if possible, which will keep me in the house at least a day. I’ve had a call in to the gi since Monday for advice about adding something with it. Disappointed I still haven’t heard back yet. Thought this one was going to be better with that. Oh, I haven’t really noticed that I pee any more than normal, but I’m nearly 65 so I do pee a lot anyway, so it’s hard to
tell!

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Hi sally,

Your response was helpful. I'm a 68 y/o male and had both knees replaced this year. that went great but now I'm constipated, don't know why. My GI doc had me on Linzess which did nothing. Motegrity is next. I hope it works.

He told me to take Dulcolax after 4/5 day as well. How long can Dulcolax be taken? If it's ok to do it every 4/5 days that's ok I guess as nothing else works.

Thanks to anyone who can answer this question. Much appreciated!

Joe

REPLY
1 reply
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Nov 18, 2022
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Hi sally, Your response was helpful. I'm a 68 y/o male and had both knees replaced..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Hi sally,

Your response was helpful. I'm a 68 y/o male and had both knees replaced this year. that went great but now I'm constipated, don't know why. My GI doc had me on Linzess which did nothing. Motegrity is next. I hope it works.

He told me to take Dulcolax after 4/5 day as well. How long can Dulcolax be taken? If it's ok to do it every 4/5 days that's ok I guess as nothing else works.

Thanks to anyone who can answer this question. Much appreciated!

Joe

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That what my gi is advising me to do for now. Probably not a good long-term solution, though.

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1 reply
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 19, 2022
In reply to @sallyw133 "That what my gi is advising me to do for now. Probably not a good long-term..." + (show)
@sallyw133

That what my gi is advising me to do for now. Probably not a good long-term solution, though.

Jump to this post

Thanks Sally. Yeah I agree. If the Motegrity doesn't work, I'll ask about how long Dulcolax can be taken, frequency, etc. I'll post anything I learn.

Joe

REPLY
heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | Nov 19, 2022
In reply to @sallyw133 "At my initial visit, he advised starting it at one three times a day then second..." + (show)
@sallyw133

At my initial visit, he advised starting it at one three times a day then second day go to two three times a day, Woow, Way too much. Called back. Here the fellow I met with first messed up what I was currently taking. So, now taking 1/2 tab 3 times a day. Also be sure to take on empty stomach. Told me I had to give it two weeks. If no BM after 4-5 days, use Dulcolax. Also use IBGuard every day.
Well, I’ve had mixed results. That alone isn’t enough. When I try to bump up dosage very much, side effects. Night sweats, insomnia, “brain zaps”. I’m ok at a whole one at mid-day, but no more. He says he thinks 3-4 BM’s a week are good. Not for me. If I don’t go most every day, I don’t feel good. But overall, this is the best I’ve felt in ages. I felt terrible on Motegrity, which was my previous dr’s go-to drug. Always nauseous. So I don’t want to give up on it yet. I’ve been adding in a little Miralax. A little mineral oil. Trying to avoid the big Dulcolax purge if possible, which will keep me in the house at least a day. I’ve had a call in to the gi since Monday for advice about adding something with it. Disappointed I still haven’t heard back yet. Thought this one was going to be better with that. Oh, I haven’t really noticed that I pee any more than normal, but I’m nearly 65 so I do pee a lot anyway, so it’s hard to
tell!

Jump to this post

Sally,

When you say you were taking "1/2 tab 3 times a day" what were you taking? Thanks. Joe

REPLY
1 reply
The Mad Scientist | @mbryant | Nov 20, 2022

I am reading the issues here and I've stopped to think that I never thought to any extent how much of an issue motility or constipation, et.al is for anyone on the scale it appears to be - obviously, a product of my ignorance. Is it a problem for someone (me) to only have BM's once every 7 to 10 days? On a narrow scale, I can say there is no one in my family who operates at this level and they are as in awe today as they have always been that this is my habit. But this has been my habit since I was a toddler, as far back as I can remember, and at 51, let's say at least the last 48 years. But I have never mentioned it at any doctor's visit, much less had testing done (based on symptoms therefrom) because of this pattern. And though this may seem strange for me to know, I have several buddies who have the same patterns as have I and we have known this each one about the other for years, so it's like a support group, for lack of a better explanation. But we've grown up together and this type of condition is more a part of the peace than a disturbance of it thereof.
There is no general pain, only isolated instances from time to time, and the general discomfort as you might imagine (forgive my forwardness) that briefly accompanies randomly. Should there be a discussion with the doctor about this? I'm thinking from the posts above it might not be a bad idea but I'm curious about other's suggestions, maybe next steps....This has always been an issue I would have never discussed outside my normal group of buddies, so I'm in unchartered territory here and I welcome any suggestions. They are appreciated.

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sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | Nov 20, 2022
In reply to @heyjoe415 "Sally, When you say you were taking "1/2 tab 3 times a day" what were you..." + (show)
@heyjoe415

Sally,

When you say you were taking "1/2 tab 3 times a day" what were you taking? Thanks. Joe

Jump to this post

Sorry. Bethanichol

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kjn72 | @kjn72 | Jan 9, 2023

I read a blog on the Mayo site from a woman who had similar constipation issues that I have. She wrote that she had a lot of success using Prunelax. She got it at Wallmart. I decided to order it online, Amazon, to try it. I found that if I take one pill with one half Ducolax that it works. This is very exciting because I haven't been enema dependent in 6 or so weeks!
As far as Motegrity goes, it costs 400 dollars monthly since I am a retiree on a fixed income, I can't afford it, same with Trulance. The companies will not discount the medication when someone is on Medicare.
I thank the person who posted about Prunelax, it has been a blessing.

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