Hi, a lot of you will know I have a temporary loop ileostomy formed in an attempt to allow a recto-vaginal fistula to heal.
I have had this now for almost 6 years. The ileo has over the years malfunctioned, feces has bypassed the loop causing me to have a couple of days in hospital every few months as the pain has been so severe and I end up incontinent through my vagina and fistula.
Since Christmas, if not before, (my last hospital visit for this was Sept 2009) I have had a very lumpy colon, full of feces (which I can feel easily as my parastomal hernia is so large). I am unable to take anything orally as it would just come through the ileo, or rectally as it would just come through my fistula and vagina.....
Over this period of time, I have had a terrible taste in my mouth, thought to be gastric reflux, (several meds have had no effect)~bad nausea up until mid March and the most debilitating fatigue. I think that I am now beyond the sphere of my GP, who bless him, just shakes his head and pats my knee!
I am about to undergo tests to see if my pelvic floor can stand any more surgery - if it seems that I will be okay with it and my fistula is repaired successfully:
1. Has my colon been left too long for it to be anastomized and normal function returned, there is obviously no peristalsis going on there currently?
2. Could this current constipation be causing the symptoms I am experiencing now?
Surely it isn't good to have feces backing up for such a length of time - is it not building up toxins etc as the stuff is normally expelled quite quickly?
I know no one can really give me the answers here, but I am asking for you to be devil's advocate and please come up with some ideas so that I am prepared with questions when I next see my GP and Consultant. Hope that all makes sense - my brain has shrunk considerably recently, I think I am losing the plot?
Rachel xxxx
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