I am still in the process of being evaluated for a total colectomy and ileostomy (permanent). I am on day 2 of the Sitz marker test, day "0" being Wednesday, the day I took the pill, so it's Friday evening. I will get an X-ray on Monday and also Wednesday if there are any residual markers. If it indicates colonic inertia, we will be scheduling surgery. I had a small bowel movement Thursday morning, which surprised me after all my many meds were removed, but I thought maybe it's residual from the day's prior medication. I don't imagine I lost any markers within 24 hours, but I'm wondering what others have experienced. I really just want to get on with the surgery, but of course, I want the right decision.
Now that we may finally be ready to schedule, I'm wondering how long common recovery is and does it mean mostly being in bed for weeks or just puttering after a month? I'm sure it's different for all, but I have insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes, Sjogren's, and multi-system autoimmune disease including liver (early stage 2 AIH with PBC overlap), Crohn's, POTS, and small fiber polyneuropathy (non-length). I'm already on morphine for nerve pain and arthritis. So, I generally don't heal well and am relatively disabled, but can "putter" for simple food prep and tasks if I'm not on my feet too long. Just wanting to get a picture and help my dear hubby better understand what to expect in helping me in recovery. Thanks for any input or advice.
Hi GG, Colonic inertia isn't something we see mentioned a lot here, so that may explain why you haven't gotten more responses to your question. There aren't many of us, but I too suffered from colonic inertia for many years. I had the test you are currently undergoing (they call it a bowel transit time test here in Canada) where they give you little markers to swallow and then X-ray you every day until they have all passed through, right? Well, I had the test several times and they kept telling me I was in the 'normal range' and they weren't willing to give me an ostomy. It wasn't until my bowel finally ruptured in 2019, that I finally got the surgery. I hope you get the result you are looking for, and it's good that they are going straight to an ileostomy, as opposed to a colostomy. I had to go through a colostomy first, which proved to them that my colon did not work properly, and then I finally got my ileostomy. As far as recovery time goes, it really does vary. I really can't speak to how your other health concerns might play into it, but in my case, with my first surgery, I was up and about within a couple of days, but you will be tired and sore and you will need to avoid any strenuous exercise or lifting for several weeks, usually five to six weeks. Luckily you have someone else at home to help you out, so you should be fine. I think I was going out for gentle walks in the neighborhood within a couple of weeks. Be really careful about lifting though, even something like a jug of milk, let hubby do it. You will be at increased risk of hernia, and once you have recovered sufficiently, there are some gentle exercises you can learn to strengthen your abdominal region to reduce your risk. All in good time though, don't even think about it right now.
I wish you all the best and please keep us posted. Feel free to send me a private message if you like, as it sounds like our situations are very similar.
Terry
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Hi All, If you have an " old" or recent ostomy, this is the place for you. I think I've been a member for more than 15 years, but I have had my surgery, since I was a kid of 15 ( do the math-that's more than 60 years ago). As a teen, with a new ostomy ( for Ulcerative colitis) my parents dragged me off to my first ostomy association meeting. I wasn't happy, but in the long run, it's the best thing that happened to me. I met others, older, and teens like me, adjusting to the changes. A group of us started a Young adult group, and helped each other, and even visited kids who were new to the world of ostomies. But soon I married, and moved out of state, and although made some connections with other NJ ostomates, I became pretty much isolated. Until I discovered MaO. By then, I was having a myriad of other medical issues, and my aging stoma " wasn't doing well". I received a lot of help and support from members! I was pleased that I was also back to supporting others. I met a gal on line (from Papua New Guinea) who was trying to help ostomates in her country. There is a scarcity of supplies in some other countries, and unlike the US, insurance to pay for supplies isn't available. When my son followed his "love" twenty years ago, and moved to Australia I took advantage of an opportunity to help other ostomates. On one of my first visits to Oz, I brought a suitcase full of Ostomy supplies, handed them off to an Ostomy assoc. On the Gold Coast, who then had a friend take them to PNG. They were grateful for the help, and Janet and I still write.. This is the place to be, if you need help, and it also gives you the opportunity to provide help and support to others. Feel free to write, if you'd like to chat, about things ostomy, or life in general. Best REgards to all.. Marsha