?slow transit constipation

[k32]

I recently had a perforated colon( mid-rectal) which resulted in an emergancy ileostomy.  I had an absess 5cm x 7.5 cm which surgeon inserted a rectal tube to drain it which has been in for 8 weeks.  It is now 1.5cm x 5cm and next week they will change out the tube and replace with a smaller tube for now.  The surgeon spoke about the possibility of a future removal of my large intestine due to "slow transit constipation" possibly.  No tests have ever been done to diagnose my constipation just drugs (the last was murolax which worked for about 8 months and then started to fail me).  Please advise in the future is the abcess resolves should they reconnect me first and run tests before ever concluding I need my large intestine out.  They know I have a history over the the last 30 years of chronic constipation with some time being ok with high fiber diet and other times alot of problems.  Stressed in Ohio and wondering what the next decision should be- Thanks Kathy

[NC44]

Kathy, first ask your doc when you can do a colon cleanse.  He may want you to wait until the tube is removed and you are healed. Search the web for Colonix as an example of what really is in your colon and how it can cause problems.  A very educational website!  Until then, you can surely take Fibercon nightly.  It is fiber you take every night and I'm sure they won't mind if you did get regular even now.  

My colon cleanse changed my life.  I now stay on the fiber (every morning) and take 2 Fibercon tablets each night. You'll be amazed how years of constipation can be changed and how regularity can change your health and your life!  Good luck to you!

[Jaybay]

I've always had slow transit constipation - pretty much since birth.  Over the years that resulted in an extremely redundant colon.  After years of C, the colon simply stretches and stretches to accomodate all the extra stool, which makes transit time even slower, and you're in a huge vicious circle.  I had to have nearly 2 feet of sigmoid colon removed due to adhesions, but I could afford to lose that piece, and it certainly improved transit time.  

I wouldn't jump into surgery until you're completely healed from the abcess, have the ileostomy reversed, and see how things go from there.  I suspect your surgeon is talking about removing only the sigmoid portion of your large intestine and not the entire thing.  Definitely have him explain the particulars of what he is planning to do, and why it needs to be done.  A second opinion wouldn't hurt at all, particularly since you are unsure about proceeding with the colectomy.