Surgery for IBS?

[ready_]

I have suffered from IBS/constipation for 15 years.  I have tried every over the counter med possible, I have been prescribed medications, I have tried accupuncture, massages, changed diet, and currently I have a colonix once a week.  I get so backed up that my stomach swells up to two inches. I am told the reason I am so constipated is because I have no muscle control in my colon. A highly recommended specialist from UAB, formerly from the Mayo Clinic, said I had two options.  1.) Continue having my weekly colonix for the rest of my life or 2.) Remove my entire conlon and connect my small intestine to my rectum.  He said I would be trading constipation for diarrhea.  Currently, even with colonix, I suffer from headaches, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, always tired, bloated, crampy.  I am a 31 year old female and I am so scared what removal of my colon will do to my life.  If anyone has had this surgery I would love to hear your point of view ASAP!

[Canuckchick]

Do you drink a lot of water and eat a high fibre diet? I was diagnosed with IBS about 5 yrs ago and in June of 07 my colon ruptured from acute diverticulitis. I had a colostomy for 6 months which was reversed in Dec. It was a horrible ordeal and I almost died. I had no idea that I had diverticula at all even tho I'd had a colonoscopy. All I was told was that I had IBS and to reduce stress and to eat more fibre. I can't believe that only 5 yrs ago there was no sign of diverticula and I'm not sure why I wasn't informed of my condition then. I know now that my biggest problem was that I wasn't drinking enuf water. Stress was also a big factor but my water intake was the biggest, I'm sure of it now. I rarely drank water and I drank a lot of coffee which is a diuretic.

Anyway, the reason I'm mentioning this is because there's a chance you might have diverticula since you're always constipated. Diverticula are little pockets in your colon and are caused by pushing hard to have a BM. If feces gets caught in the pockets it can get infected and can rupture. Ask your Dr about it to be on the safe side and be very careful with your diet. Make sure you're eating 25-30g of fibre every day and drinking at least 1.5 L of water every day.

And I wouldn't advise getting the surgery that your dr mentioned. Having your lg colon removed completely would result in constant diarrhea. I know people with illeostomies and there's a constant trickle of liquid feces. I'm sure that's annoying when it's being deposited into a bag...I couldn't imagine how horrible it would be with your rectum still intact!

Good luck and I hope you find some relief soon!

[ready_]

Your input helps alot.  I have about decided to try a low dose of laxatives every day, running, and maybe yoga.  What kind of vitamins do you take?  

[Niffer991]

I have never heard of the surgery before, but I used to rely on medication and laxatives also but now am able to control it by what I do eat, don't eat, not taking medications, taking vitamins (per my naturopath), and meditation. It turns out I was holding my tension in my stomach which, with stress, orginally started the IBS as a young girl.

sorry I couldn't help more.