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idiopathic slow colonic transit

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Guest
Guest

I have had a very painful stomach all my life. In my childhood I would pass a stool once every two weeks or so. I take medication now so its more frequent. I see my doctor once every few months and she asks how I am. I say \"awful\" and very little else. She prescribes more bisocodyl, 10mg a day. I do not know anyone else with my problem and rarely speak of it unless someone asks why I refuse (politely) an offer of inappropriate food. If I forget my medication or eat something like white bread my stomach bloats and is very uncomfortable. I go from a size 8 to a large 12 and look pregnant. Sometimes when I bloat up I have a terrible crushing pains in my chest, its hard to breathe and my heart bangs so fast I fear im having a heart attack. I'm 40. I feel browbeaten by the thing. It's never far from my mind. I dont work and the last time I had sex it hurt and so I dont want a boyfriend. About ten years ago I had a load of tests and the gastroenterologist told me have idiopathic slow colonic transit. I havent seen him since. I have never met or talked to anyone else with the problem and can only find abstracts to articles in journals about it online. This is the only thing I have managed to find on the internet which mentions it and has the possibility of human contact. Im annoyed about it today as I was taken poorly when I was supposed to be looking after my father who just had a heart attack. The pain was so great I have broke skin with my nails because I was trying not to cry out and look like a right self centred diva infront of the nurses. it makes me feel usless and pathetic.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Dear Sue, Like you I have suffered from idiopathic (i.e. cause unknown) slow colonic transit all my life. I had a terrible time as a child when every known treatment and remedy was tried on me, all to no avail. A few years ago I developed a rectocele (rectum bulging into my vagina) because of straining on the loo.

    I was very sad to read that you didn't want a boyfriend and I hope that you have now changed your mind about that. The right man can make a world of difference by sharing the problem and comforting you when things get you down. I told my husband before we were married that I didn't go to the toilet like normal people and he has always been very understanding and supportive. Without going into details he has been intimately involved with every aspect of my condition. As far as I know it has never put him off or affected our sex life. On the contrary it is a little private something between us. As for discomfort during lovemaking we found ways round that.

    So take heart Sue, there are lots of us out here. Best wishes.

  • Cydnie
    Cydnie

    Posted

    Hi , I'm 18 years old and was diagnosed with slow colonic transit at 16 Ive found it hard to talk to people about my age as they don't really understand . I understand what you go through . I have all the same symptoms. As yourself . At the moment I'm struggling with it all as I keep getting I'll and I'm finding it hard to explain to friend ls why I'm always so poorly and tired . If you have any coping methods you would like to share with me it would be much appreciated .

    Hope your we'll

  • Tiny_T
    Tiny_T

    Posted

    Just as a helping hand, From Kinesiology. i have clients who have had trouble passing stools and I have suggested working on the Large intestine meridian. There are two ways to do this and would try one and then the other if interested as not an exact science but seems to work at least sometimes for some folk.

    First method. While on the loo....rub the side of the nostrils quite firmly with the INDEX finger, wait a few seconds then rub again.

    Second method. Again while on loo.....massage DOWN the side of the leg with fist or heel of hand. Not up and down...just down only, starting at top near the hip down to the knee.

    The large intestine meridian starts at the index finger and ends at the nostrils so that's the connection there and the tendons at side of leg are part of the L.Intestine muscle range.

    This does work for me and others.

    Also, taking up to a pint of warm water to drink slowly while on the loo helps to stimulate the peristalsis action of the body and so may increase the natural work of the internal gut muscles.

    Feedback would be great!

  • JanieMac
    JanieMac

    Posted

    Thanks Tiny and hi Cydnie

    I've had chronic constipation with no diagnosed cause since I was 8. Here are the things I use now to make sure I go at least once every two days....glycerine suppositories, peppermint oil capsules and when they don't work then I use a warm water enema kit. I used to take herbal tablets but found they made me feel a bit yucky.

    Hope this helps.

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