colonic inertia

[kayann1027]

hi, i have resently been diagnosed with colonic inertia. i had the sitz mark test and my colon still had all of rings in at the end of the test. now my gastro is sending me to a colonectomy surgeon this thursday. my biggest fear is i do not want to have a colostomy. i have had a constipation problem all my life but its getting worse. my gastro dr. told me the older i get the worse this is going to get. i need help from anyone who is going through this and what i can expect. thankyou for any help you can give me. kayann

[ng1031]

did you end up having the surgery? How did it go?

[ng1031]

My problem is that I have a very long and twisted colon on top of this and because of that increasing fiber causes issues for me. I increased my fiber gradually as your suppose to but when I get to a certain point I am kealed over in pain because the trapped air/gas gets stuck in my colon between the food that is not going anywhere and all the twists and turns. I have actually been told by my dr to quit increasing my fiber and that not everyone can increase their fiber like people assume.

[marymagdeline]

II'm a nutritionist and I have often found that is a person's fecal matter is rock hard, it is usually not the result of fiber but of dairy and meat.  You should not be eating ANY dairy what so ever if you have hard stools.  As far as a colon surgery being reversable, no, if you get your entire colon removed, it's gone.

[marymagdeline]

If you have gotten a "defacting proctogram" (and if not, you need to) and it has showed that your rectum is working just fine, then when they take your colon out they can attach your small intestine to your rectum.  You will not have any more constipation.  You will be able to go to the bathroom normally.  And you will never have to worry about wearing "a bag" except maybe the first 3 months after surgery while the incision inside of you heals.  If this was my case, I would be thrilled.  I would have had the surgery done long ago.  But tests have showed that my rectum is as weak as my colon.  This means it has to come out too (along with my entire colon).  This means they must make a fake rectum called a "J pouch."  These work pretty well for most people, but believe me, you will fare much better if you can keep your rectum.  Also, if you don't get the surgery and you keep taking laxatives to move your bowels, in a few years you'll end up like me.  I would be so happy to be in your shoes.  You see, people who have cancer, or chrones, or colitis and have to get the J pouches, they do fairly well afterwards.  But not people who get them for chronic constipation, like me.  They don't because their pelvic floors are really weak.  If their pelvic floors were not weak, their rectums would be working.    So, they are going to try the J pouch but my surgeon told me that I must except the fact that there is a 50/50 chance I will have to wear a bag the rest of my life.  So, don't put this off for years.  Good luck!

[robibosco]

I am facing colostomy after sitz mark test.  Fibre makes a worse case of solid rock for myself.  For years I managed eating very little - 2 impactions, 2 resections and repairs
there is nothing moving - I have been told everyting from IBS, Mega Colon, Ineritia.
My question is is there a reversable colostomy?  I am sorry I dont have spell check!!    

[Morecambe]

I agree with the previous comments about eating the maximum amount of fibre.  The foods suggested should be eaten to the complete exclusion of all junk food and highly processed foods.  I could also add organic bran mixed into yoghurt and other fruit/vegetable purees as a source of fibre.

In case removal of your colon is absolutely necessary, I had a total colectomy about five years ago for torrential diverticular bleeding.  In response to another Medhelp patient I recorded my experience on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

regards
Morecambe

[marymagdeline]

I'm having my entire colon removed at the end of this month ..... (Ouch!)

[marymagdeline]

I'm having my entire colon removed at the end of this month ..... (Ouch!)

[marymagdeline]

I'm having my entire colon removed at the end of this month ..... (Ouch!)

[marymagdeline]

Hi, I'm a nutritionist who has been suffering from chronic bowel problems my entire life.  As a result I've learned a great deal about them.  I hope I can help you.  First of all, are you on a high fiber, low animal fat diet?  (Be honest with yourself)  In other words, do you eat lots of whole grains like..brown rice, whole wheat bread, oatmeal,etc..and raw vegetable salads, raw fruit, and beans?  I'd hate to see you get your colon removed just because your diet is full of packaged, processed foods and too much meat, dairy, and refined grains like white bread and white noodles.  Do you have problems with yeast (that you know of)?  They can cause chronic constipation.  Also, after having a colonic transit study (a.k.a. sitz marker test) they always do a "defacating proctogram" to see if you can expell barium from your rectum or if your rectum is as weak as your colon.  If your rectum is fine, and doesn't have to be removed, your in luck.  People who can keep their rectums in their bodies have stronger pelvic floors than those who don't, and they do MUCH better after having their colons removed than people who must get their rectums removed too.  I'd also be interested in knowing what your using to move your bowels?  I'll let you answer these questions and check back with a response  :)