Questions About Colonic Inertia
Sandra asks…
Anyone know anything about colonic inertia?
I was diagnoised with IBS about ten years ago. Since then my symptoms have increase as I’ve gotten older. I had a colonoscopy done two years ago that came up normal. But apparently there was a blockage that he could not get around in my Small intestine even though I was on clear liquid diet for three days and had an enema and took laxatives. He said I had both types of IBS. Well, now I am seeing a new doctor who has me on the sitzmaker test (swallow a pill with 24 markers and have xrays every day for 5 days). I’m on day three and the radioologist says that the markers haven’t moved much. My doctor thinks I have colonic inertia. I heard it requires surgery, is this true? and how long are you in the hospital?
yes, the colonoscopy that was done on me was suppose to go to my SI also to check for krohn’s. Not the whole SI but just the last bit of it where it joined my colon.
Ellen answers:
A condition where muscles or nerves in the colon fail to operate normally which prevents fecal matter from progressing normally through the colon. This can lead to constipation. Often the cause of colonic inertia is unknown but in some cases it can result from excessive use of stimulant laxatives or various muscle or nerve diseases.
Might have been caused a bit from your laxatives. Might also want to check into these muscle or nerve diseases.
An alternate to surgery is dieting.
Helen asks…
What changes will I see after a colectomy?
A few years ago I was diagnosed with colonic inertia. I had a complete colectomy (no bag). I now take 4 to 8 immodiums a day and have been since the surgery. I’m just wondering what the long term effects of the immodium might be and also the effects of no colon are on the body. I have noticed a large increase in fatigue since the surgery and also some mild weight gain. Of course theres always the slight depression of the bathroom issue wherever I go. Eating out is not an option anymore.
Ellen answers:
Http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/digestiveandurinary/202127.html Take a look at the link. On it a person asks if there is any alternative to long term immodium, and the dr replies that homeopathy may be helpful. Perhaps that would be an avenue for you to explore.
Http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682280.html is a general information page.
I cannot find any info on long term side effects…;
Donna asks…
Has anyone had their ENITRE large intestine removed? Whats it like after its gone?
I’m probably going to have my entire large intestine removed due to colonic inertia, and medications aren’t helping and I’m on tons right now. I recently had a sitz (however its spelled) test and they found a bunch of rings in the Xray. Not good. The doctor said that he’d reconnect the end of my small intestine to my rectum. All I’m asking is .. whats it like to live without a large intestine — I know you go to the bathroom many times a day – but what about your diet? Does that have to change? Please provide me details about this because I know this will be life changing and I’d like to hear from people who’ve had this or know of someone who has.
Ellen answers:
I lost a large portion of mine because of gangrene. I haven’t experienced diarrhea. In fact it is the opposite. I have to take laxatives to correct the problem 3/4 of the time, and I have pain in my lower abdomen because of spasms and inflammation in my small intestines. This doesn’t mean you will do the same. I also have problems absorbing nutrients and have to take several vitamin supplements.
Laura asks…
I suffer from Chronic Constipation and lately is getting worst I need advice?
I am a 27-year-old male with a history of Chronic Constipation doctors say is possible hirschprung versus colonic inertia and nonrelaxing puborectalis. I controlled for the past years with mineral oil, I usually take 2 ounces a week. For the past month I have notice changes in my bowl movement. I been constipated for more than a week, I went to the hospital on Friday, they did some x-ray but it did not show any obstruction. The doctor prescribed a fleet enema and colace. I did the enema and took the colace and nothing has improved. On Monday I went to my general Doctor, I explained my situation and she prescribed enulose syrup she told me to take 30ml every 6 hours and if did not help to go to the hospital. Tomorrow I have an appointment with a Gastroenterologyst and lets see what he says. I had some bowl movement today but it wasn’t enough. Please if someone has similar condition please help or if any other Doctors have other suggestion I will appreciate.
Ellen answers:
You poor guy… I know how bad constipation hurts. I’m pregnant and sometimes it makes me throw up when it’s too hard to go. Are you taking fiber supplements? They have fiber pills and ‘Benefiber’ that you could take often to try to soften your stool. I wish I could help ya cause I’m sure you’re at your wits end. Good luck at the Gastroenterologyst. If you’re not taking fiber regularly give it a shot. Best wishes!
Sharon asks…
I need a Gastroenterologist to Help me Please!?
Please if a gastroenterologist could give me some advice on what to do please. I had 3 colon resections and illeocecal valve removed and an extended hemicolectomy. It has been 2 yrs, and I still have SEVERE cramping to the point I am yelling and crying and have severe uncontrollable diarrhea. No one can help me. The last appt I had at Mayo Clinic said I had colonic inertia. If I go to the bathroom all day long and im in here for several hours, how can that be a slow colon? Please …I am begging for help here. I can’t take it anymore. The pain is herrendous..thank you
I have seen 3 gastroenterolgists. I have had colonoscopies done and the whole bit. I have narrowing in my colon and had 3 resections.
They said I don’t have Chrons. I cannot have any surgeries because they sad it is too risky. I can’t take antimotility agents or questran because I am in worse shape for 4 or 5 days. I am nauseated constantly and the pain is just unbeleiveable. I am willing to travel to another state if someone can help. thank you
I have made a blog about what happened to me, you may want to look at it and it may help you decide if you can help me please.
http://hubpages.com/hub/laparoscopicsurgery
Ellen answers:
Do you have Crohn’s Disease? A GI doctor online really wouldn’t be able to help you here. You need to see your specialist. Sorry.
EDIT…
I just read your blog and truly sympathize for you. I work in surgery (surgical technologist) and I haven’t heard of or seen anything close to what you went through. (I’m not saying that I don’t believe your story, because I do believe what you are saying.)
I just wonder if there is some other underlying condition that you have that they haven’t found yet. Autoimmune maybe? Allergy? Cancer? Damage from the past radiation? Parasite?
I know that when bowel dies, it turns jelly-like. I am sure that when they had you open last time, that they “ran” your intestine to make sure that there were no adhesions or other internal incarcerated hernias. (which would cause bowel to die…the incarcerated hernia, that is.) This would cause great pain similiar to what you are explaining. Adhesions could have developed since that last surgery, which would explain your pain as well. The downfall is that surgery is the treatment for adhesions, and from what you have mentioned, that is not an option for you. Have you had a CT since your last surgery? I know that you mentioned that you had to heal from the inside out. Are all of the sponges out of you? (there are radiolucent bands in the sponges that can be seen on X-ray.)
I am surprised that Mayo gave you a dx of colonic inertia. Seems like a cop out catch all dx when they don’t know what is going on. I would expect more from Mayo as I’m sure that you did as well.
I’m just hoping that a GI doctor is out here somewhere that can lead you in a better direction. Sorry that I’m not much help. I wish you the best of luck (and health).
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
