UOAA Discussion Board

People always said I was full of s***, but when you literally are it's a whole different world.

Unlike a most ostomates, my condition isn't IBD, but chronic constipation. I have always been very active , but developed some spinal degeneration which combined with weightlifting damaged the nerves to my colon virtually shutting if off completely. I went from having a BM everyday for 56 years, no nothing overnight.

I has been a year, tried everything, but it has caused my health to deteriorate greatly. I tried to continue exercising but it's just no longer possible. And I can only eat small amounts of low fiber garbage food, no fruits, no vegetables.

Would having an ileorectal anastomosis or an ileostomy give me my life back? I know there can be complications, diet and exercise restrictions but it has to be better than this. I can't do anything anymore and I feel like...well...crap.

Thanks

You say you tried everything--does that include...
Daily enemas--not just the little bottles, but a real enema bag
A laxative routine

I really would try everything before surgery.

I once had chronic constipation and i did not act aggressive like i should have, knowing what i know now i would have tryed Milk of Mag, enemas, mirilax etc. but instead i ended of FULL of poop and went in to ER in pain, got shipped out and woke up with a colostomy...

In hindsite i think i could have prevented that, but to be honest i had never heard of of this type of thing, Anyhow i pray you do all you can before you hop onto this stoma stuff, it will be worth all the effort for sure..

The good news for me is Sept 25th a diff Doc and hospital is going to reverse this back, i have a lazy lazy colon ,so all but 1 foot will be removed but was told i should be fine just take a bit of adjustment and going back to so called normal is something i do not remember.I was constipated before and
have the same issue after so all i ended up with was the back problem on the front, After its reversed you can bet i will stay on top doing all i need to not have to go back to any of this colo, ilieo etc...

Do all you can before you take the plunge and you won't have regrets later...

sassie

Have you heard of the Malone Appendiceal (or Antegrade) Colon Enema (MACE) procedure? It's common among infants and children with spina bifida and those who are paralyzed. It's an irrigation system. The surgeon uses your appendix -- or another organ if you no longer have your appendix -- and creates a tube from the tissue within your abdomen. That tube extends from the caecum to the navel. Today, it often can be done via laparoscopy. You insert a small catheter filled with water into a tiny stoma or hole in your navel and the water goes down with gravity and irrigates your colon. Some people use Miralax or other products with the water. If your anorectal muscles are functioning well -- and the surgeon would test this first with a manometry test -- the MACE should allow you to evacuate without the need for an ostomy.

My anorectal muscles were not in the best shape and I had other muscular challenges. I tried the MACE -- along with biofeedback and even botox injections -- but no dice. I had a colostomy in 2002. However, I had a great deal of colonic inertia and in 2015, switched to an ileostomy because of continued constipation.

I'd definitely check out the MACE before getting a colostomy or ileostomy although they both provided relief. Most colorectal surgeons are now aware of the MACE but if yours is not, check with a pediatric colorectal surgeon.

Good luck and let us know what you find out.

If I had known about Senna, I don't think my colon would have ruptured. My surgeon put me on this old fashioned laxative, and between Senna and Milk of Magnesia, I have alleviated my constipation. Now living with a colostomy and do occasionally take two Senna pills.