Partial colon removal due to sluggish colon and constipation

[sammy48]

I am trying to get some input from people out there who have this problem.  I can't seem to find anyone who has had their colon removed or partial colon removed due to sluggish colon or severe constipation problems.  If you have had this done please let me know how you feel about your decision.  I am really getting nervous about my surgery that is coming up July 8.  I am supposed to have my entire colon removed.  The surgeon said that my left side of colon is sluggish.  I asked if he could just remove the sluggish portion.  He said that typically people with this condition end up having to have entire colon removed eventually because if they only remove the one side then the other side eventually becomes sluggish.  Has anyone else ever heard of this.  I really want to keep the good parts of my colon if its working and just remove the parts that are not.  Am I crazy.  If anyone has gone through this, please let me know what you had done.  Thanks!!!

[CalGal]

Look though the posts on this page and the 2nd one, and look for the comments/answers by Morecambe. It will give you some insight into what to expect - although not specifically for a sluggish colon.

The problem with a sluggish colon and only removing a part may be two things. The colon isn't a wonderfully vascular organ, so when a specific section is removed, the docs may have to take more than you would think necessary because they need to make sure that the part that is left has a sufficient blood supply. So in many cases it can't be just a very small section.

The other thing is that if the colon is sluggish, it may not be just the last portion that is 'slow.' If you want to find out exactly which portion is functioning properly or not, the electrical signals of the whole of the colon should be 'mapped' to find out which has 'electrical activity' and what part may not be doing well. No may facilities do that and in some cases docs just say 'take out the whole thing.' If you want to find out more about what's goin on with your colon, you'll have to explore the issue further with specialists.

I know this is an area that is being researched, but unfortunately not actively. But at one point in time I know a group in Israel developed a colonic pacemaker - much like a stomach pacemaker. In trial studies, it apparently did a good job for some, but not for others.

If you're hesitant, I'd suggest you postpone the surgery and do some more investigation until you're satisfied with your decision.

[sammy48]

Thank you so much for your comment and also Morecambe responded and I am very grateful.  I have been seeing a specialist and have had the marker study and all of the other studies.  It has been determined that everything makes it through my colon fine until it reaches the end left side and this is where it is sluggish and I have a hard time.  Everything else works fine according to all of the tests that I have had done it's just that portion of my colon.  That's why I'm wondering if I just have that portion removed if it would make all the difference without having to have it all removed.

[CalGal]

Use the search engine to google "left hemicolectomy for colonic inertia." You should be able to pull up some relevant references on taking the whole colon or partial colon. You may find an answer as to whether or not you may go on to have problems later on.

The marker study, however, isn't one that measures the electrical activity if I'm not mistaken. In the marker study they follow a series of rings. In electrical studies, they map the electrical activity of the colon - it can be very different.

[CalGal]

Here is something else to look at - google: Long-term response to subtotal colectomy in colonic inertia. You should come up with a reference in pubmed.com. I'd try to post the link but everytime I try links they seem to get 'xxxxx' out.

I have one more for you to look at - be back.

[CalGal]

Google: Colonic Pacing May Be Effective in Treating Total Colonic Inertia Constipation. You'll find the article on Medscape. You'll have to sign in to get to it, but the site is worth it.

[sassie0728]

I'm 37 and just diagnosed with colonic inertia,chronic constipation and will need surgery ,my doctor has suggested I try chinese medicine to help get things moving has anyone ever tried this?because I have tried everything.I find taking stool softeners very painful and make me very sick,nothing seems to work,I am new to all this and not sure what I should be asking doctors,I had done the marker study and by day 5 markers had not moved to far,Sometimes when I feel great I don't want surgery then I have what I call an attack and it sets me back for a least a week loss of work and not going out of the house because of painful stomach spasms and nausea,I still don't know why I have blood in my stools.Anyway if anyone can let me know more info on colonic inertia surgery that would be great.Like I said I'm new to all this hopefully am posting in the right place thank you

[CalGal]

Sassia, if you haven't already, you may want to start your own post so that everyone can see it. If it's buried within someone else's post it may be overlooked.