Slow Transit--Help!

[Brittanyw285]

I'm 21 years old, you can read more about what's going on with me in my profile, but I suffer from a slow transit colon, the entire thing is slow transit.  It has caused me a great deal of discomfort, pain and has prevented me from going back to school or getting a job because I never know when I'll be sick.  After many tests including the rectal manometry, defecography, sitz marker, endoscopy and colonoscopy my surgeon reccommends that I have my colon removed and attach my small intestine to my rectum so I wouldn't need a bag.  I was wondering if anyone else is going or has gone through something similar, especially anyone closer to my age.  I am leaning more towards surgery, because I can't lay sick in bed the rest of my life, but I'm just plain terrified.  I would greatly appreciate anyone's advice or help on this topic.

Thank you so much.

Brittany

[Brittanyw285]

I am pretty new to this so I'm not quite sure where or how I was supposed to post anything.  Thank you for your response. I have met with my surgeon 3 times and I know what is coming, but it honestly beats no bowel movements at all and the agonizing pain I go through everyday.  Liquid stools are just fine with me!  This past summer I went through something called BioFeedback where I learned and trained my pelvic floor muscles to loosen in order to have this surgery and I would be alright with going back to learn how to tighten them too.  Thank you for your insight and advice, it really means a lot to me.  I'm sorry to hear about your issues, I know it really is terrible. I hope all the best for you.

[SLadylani]

I was reading your comment to respond to it as a nurse, you posted in the ask a nurse section, but I could relate to you personally so I figured I'd respond to you outside of answering as a RN. I was diagnosed as having extremely slow motility when I was 19 years old, after having all the GI tests imaginable. I'm still going through major problems with constipation and just recently was hospitalized for a bowel obstruction. i did not think such a surgery was posssible, but if I was offered that choice...which I might suggest! once I get into see my specialist here in this area-I just moved. As a nurse I do know that is a major surgery and it probably will require extensive rehabilitation and retraining of the GI system to function properly. You may have problems with dehydration and your stools will be more watery. But as a 23 year old still struggling with problems from this I would focus on correcting the problem for good as opposed to letting it linger on for a few more years and trying different, and very expensive, medications.