Colostomy for Slow Transit Constipation: Experiences and Outcomes?

Has anyone had a colostomy for slow transit constipation and pelvic floor dysfunction?

I'm worried that I will have the surgery and it will not relieve the problem.

Hello breathinbreathout.

I have just read up about the condition which tells me that- 'Pelvic floor dysfunction refers to a wide range of issues that occur when muscles of the pelvic floor are weak, tight, or there is an impairment of the sacroiliac joint, lower back, coccyx, or hip joints. Symptoms include pelvic pain, pressure, dyspareunia, incontinence, incomplete emptying, and gross organ protrusionurinary incontinence, anal incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.'

Obviously, being male, I have not had this particular condition. However, My colostomy was given because of what appears to be a similar problem in that, after several botched operations for heamorroids,and others for repairing the sphincter,  I developed  an anal prolapse, brought about by the equivalent of slow transit constipation. Twice they tried a procedure that involved pulling the prolapse up and pinning it to my spine. When that did not work it was suggested that I have  colostomy.

In my case, I never looked back and wish I had opted for the surgery many years earlier when it was first suggested. It is difficult to describe the pain and suffering the prolapse, constipation and incontinence caused pre surgery but it all diminished considerably once the op was completed. I still get a 'sensation' from the anal area which I put down to the fact that they did not remove that part where the prolapse had been. However, now there is no faeces to aggravate it, the sensation hardly comes near to what I would describe as 'pain'.

I hope you get some replies from women who can give you a more appropriate  response but I thought my own experiences might be of some peripheral use.

Best wishes

Bill   

I have the same problem, Slow Transit Constipation and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. This all started slowly around 25 years ago. I've been to many GI doctors and also to the Mayo Clinic about 7 years ago which I went through Bio-feedback treatment for my Pelvic Floor. Nothing seems to help. I was managing with pills but for the last three years it has gotten worse. I'm in pain, bloating all the time. My quality of life is gone.

My doctor and I have decided that an ileostomy is the way to go. I know it will be more cumbersome with the bag, but if I'm going to do this I want to make sure it's the best way for me to go. My surgery is Nov 10, 2016. I'm looking forward to this and hopefully it will help with the pain.

I'll keep you posted on my recovery.

Hi sis, I've had my ileo for 30 years, and it saved my life as I was sick from colitis. It has allowed me to get my life back after years of spending my day in the bathroom and on all kinds of meds. It took a while to learn how to care for my ostomy because there wasn't any internet back then, plus I live in a small town, so I had to learn on my own. It hasn't always been easy, especially when I had blockages from scar tissue and needed emergency surgery, but I got through it. I've been able to travel by car, bus, and plane and worked 40 hours a week until I retired. Good luck with the surgery and keep asking questions.

Thank you Ron for replying. It sounds like people that have had this surgery have a positive attitude just like you. I agree I'm tired of spending most of my day in the bathroom because of the laxatives I have to take. The worst is the bloating and pain that comes with it.

I'm looking forward to the day I can wake up and feel excited for the day. Nov 10th is the date for surgery! I know it won't be a cakewalk, but it should be better than what I'm going through now.

I'll keep everyone updated with post-surgery progress.

I hope all goes well for you, Sis1949, on the 10th of November. My problem was the opposite to yours. I was bowel incontinent following surgery. I did have a few small hitches just after my stoma was made in June, but it's a learning process and there is a solution for most things. This surgery can turn your life around, and I really hope it does for you! No more living in the bathroom, eh?

I hope everything goes well for you Sis.

Best wishes

Bill

Thanks Beshlie! I used to wish I had the opposite like you, but that would still mean sitting in the bathroom all the time too! I hope you're right and it will turn my life around... We'll see!

Dear Sis1049, welcome to MAO. I have an ileostomy due to severe UC. I was in the bathroom all of the time, 10 times a day. Prior to UC, I had no bowel issues at all. I believe my problems were a result of eating spoiled food. My surgery helped me get back my life and I am grateful for the second chance. Having an appliance does take some getting used to but I am very happy to be free of the pain of a diseased colon. If you have a chance, I would contact the United Ostomy Association of America and request a copy of the video/disk...Living with an Ostomy. It was very helpful and informative. Take care and please keep in touch after your surgery on the 10th. Prayers for you. Sincerely, LH

Thank you LadyHope! It's wonderful to hear from people that have had this surgery and hearing they "got their life back". That's what I'm hoping for myself. My surgery is coming up soon.... I'll keep in touch with the results.

Thanks for the video idea.

Sis1949

Hi Sis1949, how are you doing and feeling post-op? I saw that your surgery was scheduled for the 10th. Hope all is going well and please keep us posted on how you are recovering and feeling. Remember one day at a time....healing and recovery take time and much-needed rest. Take care and please post us when you feel up to it. Prayers of healing to you. Sincerely, LH

Good morning LadyHope! It's been 13 days since surgery and things are going well. The first week, I did take my pain medicine, but this week I haven't really needed it.

My stomach was swollen after surgery and I was concerned it wouldn't go away, but it did start to subside a bit and I started getting hopeful that I would start feeling like I used to before this issue started. Maybe I could wear my jeans again! Then, of course, I started doing a few things around the house and the swelling is coming back. When they said it will take 6 weeks to recover, I guess they meant it. :)

But all in all, I think this surgery is going to be worth it. Wearing a bag is not a real issue. I haven't had any leaks yet. I sent a request for samples of different sizes to see what is out there. I also ordered some panties which have a pocket for the bag, which I hope will keep it in place better.

I will update as time goes on to help others with their concerns on this life-changing surgery.

Hi everyone! I haven't posted lately but wanted to update anyone who had the same issues I had. Basically, I had the ileostomy because of the pain I was in. I could manage the issue of constipation (read above) with laxatives. I had it done in November 2016. But it seemed after the operation and two years later, I still had pain. After still going to doctors and getting CT scans, they found nothing. I went and picked up my reports plus CT scan disks. In 2017 and 2018, I noticed in both reports the technician mentioned enlarged renal veins. Possible PCS (Pelvic Congestion Syndrome).

I made an appointment with a vein specialist and brought the information I had. I had a venogram done to make sure. Yes, I had PCS and Nutcracker Syndrome. Google both for more explanation.

I had a procedure done to take care of this. The pain is gone for the most part, so I had my surgeon reverse my ileostomy on February 20th. Now I'm recovering. I'm still so swollen and have some pain, but I'm sure it will go away.

Just wanted to post this in case anyone else is having pain that the doctors can't figure out. The pain was mostly on the left side and lower belly area. It seemed it was all over and hard to pinpoint in my case.