Colon Stricture....

[ashleybrook]

Just went in yesterday after weeks of bloating and pain.  Had the KUB xrays done.  Apparantly I have either a colon stricture or my colon is twisted on the right side under my breast.  I have an impaction that goes from under my breast to my pelvic area.  I am scheduled for a colonoscopy on Friday morning.  I suppose if it is twisted this can be a way to fix it.  But if it is a stricture im assuming surgery is required.  One possibility is that I have a history of endometriosis and this could have reach my bowels.  Any expericance with any of this.  If surgery is required how long would my hospital stay be or recovery time be!  Thanks

[Jaybay]

An impaction means you have stool that can't pass through your body.  An obstruction means there is something wrapped around your colon blocking the flow of waste, or a kink just like what happens with a garden hose.  With your history of endometriosis, it's certainly possible that the resulting scar tissue has caused an obstruction.  You might be lucky enough to have the colonoscopy result in opening you back up - but it's not likely.  Surgically speaking, sometimes the only thing necessary is going in with the laparascope to cut the adhesions and free the bowel.  Recovery is very fast - about a week.  

If the blood supply has been compromised long enough, you may need a bowel resection.  Depending on how much work is done, you're looking at about a month to feel normal again, and maybe longer before you can eat normally.  Intestines just don't like being messed with, and kind of go on strike after resection surgery.   Just go with a bland diet and slowly add back foods and see how you feel.

There is no way of saying how long your recovery or hospital stay would be because there are too many things unknown until the surgeon opens you up.  Since you have a history of endometriosis, I hope you will have your gynecologist assist with the surgery.

I had several endo surgeries, and finally had a hysterectomy when I turned 39.  Never could conceive a child.  :-(  The butcher of a gyno insisted he had to do an open surgery instead of laparascopic, even knowing my history of adhesion problems.  That resulted in a huge bowel obstruction from the gut full of scar tissue I developed, and the removal of nearly 2 feet of colon.  I have a fabulous gastro doc, and tried to bust up the scar tissue with the scope, but couldn't manage it.  The adhesions were just too big and ropy.

Hopefully your surgery won't involve a whole lot of internal work and you'll be back on your feet very soon.  Testing can't determine a lot of things, but at least you know where the problem is.  My scans were all very ambiguous, because the scar tissue was everywhere.  I'll never forget my doctor telling my husband, "It was just a big, fat sloppy mess in there."  Nice, huh?  LOL  :-)

[ashleybrook]

Thanks for your insight.  I have been dealing with this pain for some time now. The right sided pain has been going on for about three years on and off or really shortly after I had my daughter in September 04.  I guess I will know something for sure on Friday!  It is kinda of scary the thought of having part of the colon cut out.  I guess I was just assuming since I have only had pain and some issues with constipation that it wasnt that serious.  Because it was not an acute problem and just a chronic one!  We will just have to wait it out!

[Jaybay]

Was your daughter delivered by c-section?  That just makes adhesions even more likely as the culprit.  Post back when you can after Friday, and best of luck!  :-)

[ashleybrook]

Nope she was a quick delivery.  I was in pre term labor for two months and she came at eight months after only about two hours labor!  I have had five laps done and a right ovary removal over the past three years so this could all contribute to it!

[DLC54]

For four + years I have had the following symptons: heartburn, reflux, severe abdominal pain after eating fruits, veggies, any type of seasonings, sauces, gravies. The only foods I can eat without hurting is sugar cookies, pancakes with syrup, white bread, no wheat, no dairy. Does anyone have these syptoms?

[atfred]

I have the same thing you do!  I have those symptomsconstantly without any relief, plus the feeling of the "kink in the garden hose" (like my intestines are blocked).  Used to be the kink only happened during my periods, but now it's starting 2 weeks before I menstruate.  I'm wondering if they are related somehow?  I'm thinking my intestines are blocked, the food sits in my stomach, and I suffer some sort of gastic reflux due to the buildup of "juices" in the stomach?  Does this seem to make sense to anyone else?

[7dodie3]

I just came down with the terrible pain.  I went into emergency and they tell me I have a kinked or twisted colon.  I am taking medicine to eliminate and clean myself out. Taking it for a week.  I started three days ago and am still in terrible pain.  My doctor won't give me any pain meds because they cause constipation.  I am wondering what can be done to eliminate the pain or how long it lasts.  A colonoscapy has not been mentioned but they tell me to see my regular doctor when medicine is gone in a week.

[helprightnow]

I have been living with chronic consitipation forever, i used to have with bouts of diarrhea, which with the diarrhea I had some releif. Now i dont have that i swich between glycern inemas, and inemas. i am now on amitiza, but cant take the full dose because it make me feel sick to my stomach, so i can only take it at night, i am taking 3 stool softner pills a day, and nothing unless i use something to go and even with that i barley go, i am on the edge of depression. I feel horrible, i have gained 12 lbs in 2 months. what can i do, i can drink that bottle of stuff everyday to go.  i have had a colonoscopy and they said that i have a kinked up colon. please help me. i am desperate, i am only 30 years old i can't keep feeling like this.

[Mel_B9598]

I have the same problem.  I have taken everything including the Amitiza.  Nothing worked.  My doctor finally put me on Lactulose.  It is a syrupy medicine that you can take straight or mix it in with a beverage.  I am supposed to take it three times per day.  It takes about three days to start working but it does work.  I pretty much just take it before I go to bed and by about 9 the next morning it works.  You just have to remember to take it regularly.  Don't take too much either unless you want to sit on the potty for an hour!

[artsymom0329]

I have been suffering for almost 4.5 years now.My daughter was born through emergency c section.I remember coming home from the hospital and "going" that first time,everyone said it would be painful.I remember feeling really constipated and it never got better! Here I am years later and I feel terrible.I feel bad when I go and when I dont.Im thinking the problem is,I cant fully "go" when I do go.Does that makes sense? Sorry if its TMI.Could the C-section have caused damage to my intestines? Thanks for any input!

[summerlemaster96]

Hi.  Last year I was diagnosed with a "kinked colon " which causes me horrible constipation and my belly swells with the more I get backed up. I was 15 when this happened, but had been suffering ever since I was little. Ibe found that coffee is a natural laxative,  and I drink 1-2 cups every morning when I wake up,  and usually helps me to get going, but doesn't cause direahha.  I'm 16 almost 17 now, and trying to deal with it the best I can. I understand how annoying and hurtful it can be.  And I'm sorry any of you are suffering from it.