1. < Digestive Health

Sitz Marker Study for Slow Transit Constipation

Posted by sallyw133 @sallyw133, May 4, 2023

My new CR Surgeon wants me to do a Sitz Marker test for a more accurate transit study of my colon. I have to stop all laxatives, etc 6 days before and the 5 days while X-rays are taken. I am barely having any BM’s now taking prescription meds, so I know I will not be going at all the entire 11 days! I know this is going to be awful so “please” no horror stories! All I want to know is if anyone has extremely slow transit constipation and has had this test done? Were any of the rings able to pass by the stool or did they get stuck right away at the beginning? I’ve asked this question but my doctor’s nurse isn’t very reassuring. I’m not going through this misery for nothing.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 5, 2023
In reply to @sallyw133 "I totally understand that the demand exceeds the requests. My issue was with how the entire..." + (show)
@sallyw133

I totally understand that the demand exceeds the requests. My issue was with how the entire process was handled. At my initial call I was directed to mail records, drs reports, tests, etc. It took me a week to assemble and $20 to mail. Two days after I sent, I already got the denial letter that was dated 3 days after I had my initial phone call. When I called, I was told the letter was “auto sent” and I should not have received. They hadn’t even gotten my packet yet. When I hung up, I went on the portal, and right there, all my tests had been uploaded. Two lies. She said to call back in a week or two so I did. So sorry we can’t offer you an apt. I asked why I hadn’t been notified. You were. We sent you a letter weeks ago. I thought that was an error? No. So why was I denied? Let me check. Oh I see here they feel they have nothing here new to offer that your dr at Cleveland Clinic hasn’t tried. How did they make that decision when they didn’t have my records? He isn’t even my current dr and I now have a different diagnosis. And, you definitely have a program there to help me or I wouldn’t be spending all this money to come there from Pennsylvania!
So, if Mayo had no intention of giving me an apt, at least be honest. Don’t promote programs like the Bowel Evacuation Clinic. Tell me right up front and save me the $20 for records no one ever looked at. And mostly, don’t hold out false hope.
Yes, my colo-rectal surgeon is ordering the Sitz Marker study to determine what type of colectomy I’ll need. Mayo was my last hope to avoid removing my colon.

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Thank you for the further explanation. I understand better now.
If you wish, you may consider reaching out to the Office of Patient Experience:

Mayo Clinic Office of Patient Experience
Phone: 844-544-0036 (toll free)
Email: opx@mayo.edu
https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience

REPLY
1 reply
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @redfinch "I am sorry You are going through all this suffering and for the way your situation..." + (show)
@redfinch

I am sorry You are going through all this suffering and for the way your situation was handled!Mayo should reevaluate this and offer concrete options for your treatment !

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Thank you! Much appreciated!

REPLY
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | May 5, 2023
In reply to @colleenyoung "Thank you for the further explanation. I understand better now. If you wish, you may consider..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Thank you for the further explanation. I understand better now.
If you wish, you may consider reaching out to the Office of Patient Experience:

Mayo Clinic Office of Patient Experience
Phone: 844-544-0036 (toll free)
Email: opx@mayo.edu
https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/patient-experience

Jump to this post

I tried to do that when this happened, but all I could find on the site was how to recognize staff for caring treatments or good experiences, Nowhere to file complaints.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 5, 2023
In reply to @sallyw133 "I tried to do that when this happened, but all I could find on the site..." + (show)
@sallyw133

I tried to do that when this happened, but all I could find on the site was how to recognize staff for caring treatments or good experiences, Nowhere to file complaints.

Jump to this post

Sally, here is the link to the online form:
https://customervoice.microsoft.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nP9fomM_sk-aitm90DIfmk8irnmlZwZOoNvrYDAn1mdUNVNYWkpPRkY1SElVRlhZMDhZTVo1TzZQSy4u
Select "Concern" from the Type of Feedback menu.

Alternatively, you can call or email them:
Phone: 844-544-0036 (toll free)
Email: opx@mayo.edu

REPLY
joya1 | @joya1 | May 6, 2023
In reply to @sallyw133 "I totally understand that the demand exceeds the requests. My issue was with how the entire..." + (show)
@sallyw133

I totally understand that the demand exceeds the requests. My issue was with how the entire process was handled. At my initial call I was directed to mail records, drs reports, tests, etc. It took me a week to assemble and $20 to mail. Two days after I sent, I already got the denial letter that was dated 3 days after I had my initial phone call. When I called, I was told the letter was “auto sent” and I should not have received. They hadn’t even gotten my packet yet. When I hung up, I went on the portal, and right there, all my tests had been uploaded. Two lies. She said to call back in a week or two so I did. So sorry we can’t offer you an apt. I asked why I hadn’t been notified. You were. We sent you a letter weeks ago. I thought that was an error? No. So why was I denied? Let me check. Oh I see here they feel they have nothing here new to offer that your dr at Cleveland Clinic hasn’t tried. How did they make that decision when they didn’t have my records? He isn’t even my current dr and I now have a different diagnosis. And, you definitely have a program there to help me or I wouldn’t be spending all this money to come there from Pennsylvania!
So, if Mayo had no intention of giving me an apt, at least be honest. Don’t promote programs like the Bowel Evacuation Clinic. Tell me right up front and save me the $20 for records no one ever looked at. And mostly, don’t hold out false hope.
Yes, my colo-rectal surgeon is ordering the Sitz Marker study to determine what type of colectomy I’ll need. Mayo was my last hope to avoid removing my colon.

Jump to this post

Good luck. My 36 year old son had a total colectomy in Boston - excellent surgeon and done laparoscopically. The surgeon opted not to do a retopexy even tho an MR decfecography showed a “severe descent of posterior compartment”. He is not able to pass solid stool because of this but the Dr doesn’t want to do rectopexy now. It would be an admission I think thst it should have been done. He told us to go get a second opinion somewhere else. We are doing thst but finding the best surgeon and in a timely way to get an appointment is difficult. Make sure you have an MR Defecagraphy and a small bowel follow through to rule out everything that could be anatomically wrong. My son had his colectomy done laparoscopically and the actual surgery went very well. Good luck

REPLY
1 reply
sallyw133 | @sallyw133 | May 6, 2023
In reply to @joya1 "Good luck. My 36 year old son had a total colectomy in Boston - excellent surgeon..." + (show)
@joya1

Good luck. My 36 year old son had a total colectomy in Boston - excellent surgeon and done laparoscopically. The surgeon opted not to do a retopexy even tho an MR decfecography showed a “severe descent of posterior compartment”. He is not able to pass solid stool because of this but the Dr doesn’t want to do rectopexy now. It would be an admission I think thst it should have been done. He told us to go get a second opinion somewhere else. We are doing thst but finding the best surgeon and in a timely way to get an appointment is difficult. Make sure you have an MR Defecagraphy and a small bowel follow through to rule out everything that could be anatomically wrong. My son had his colectomy done laparoscopically and the actual surgery went very well. Good luck

Jump to this post

Thank you! We also discussed doing the defography after I complete the Sitz Marker study.
I’m glad to hear your son is doing well but sorry to hear he’ll have to undergo a second procedure. I’m assuming he must not have a stoma.
Best of luck to him and you and thanks for the good wishes!

REPLY
joya1 | @joya1 | May 6, 2023

No - he does not have a stoma.

REPLY
jennyhopemarlow | @jennyhopemarlow | Oct 11, 2023

I had the sitz marker study and on the first day swallowed the capsule with 24 rings. I have a mega-tortuous spasmatic colon. Doctors have put me on the latest and greatest prescriptions and everything else under the sun. At the end of the study, all the rings were still there. I started linzess back and miralax and have hardly any movement. If I were to take a laxative it would cause an automatic ulcer. Has anyone had the same result? I am going to a surgeon today about it. I go a month at times without going. I am including some pictures too for people who can't find much on the subject.

REPLY
debstummy2023 | @debstummy2023 | Oct 12, 2023

Hi, I, too, have had that test but it came out, was diagnosed with IBSC, early satiety, gastritis,... etc. However, I can't have a bowel movement unless I take Linzess (which I don't think helps) , M.O.M., suppositories, which help gets things moving, magnesium Citrate, senna tablets. I alternate them with Linzess.
I wouldn't go for days without doing that. I can't believe you don't go for a month! How terrible that is for you. I'm so sorry. I've gone to ER, and been given soap suds enemas, wow, wish I could do that every day!
Hope this helps., Deb

REPLY
1 reply
debbiet2 | @debbiet2 | Oct 13, 2023
In reply to @debstummy2023 "Hi, I, too, have had that test but it came out, was diagnosed with IBSC, early..." + (show)
@debstummy2023

Hi, I, too, have had that test but it came out, was diagnosed with IBSC, early satiety, gastritis,... etc. However, I can't have a bowel movement unless I take Linzess (which I don't think helps) , M.O.M., suppositories, which help gets things moving, magnesium Citrate, senna tablets. I alternate them with Linzess.
I wouldn't go for days without doing that. I can't believe you don't go for a month! How terrible that is for you. I'm so sorry. I've gone to ER, and been given soap suds enemas, wow, wish I could do that every day!
Hope this helps., Deb

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Wow, it does drive us crazy. Add in hot flashes
But keep smiling huh

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