Hi guys! Everything is pretty good. I have been taking the Amitiza 24mcg, once instead of twice per day. Some days I have to take two but boy the nausea that comes with this dose is not even funny:/ So I am also on Reglan for the horrible nausea. I am just happy that the meds are still working. In the meantime, I need to find out what my trigger for gas is. What type of diet can I try?!! Gluten free and lactose free really didn't do much. If I could figure out what causes the gas I would happily stop eating it!!
Great news I am at 130!!!! 129 was my pre-twin baby weight. That is a total of 22-23 pounds since my surgery. I look awesome and most of the time I feel awesome too!

All good

3 month post-op was today. I am doing fantastic. Other than the very painful trapped UPPER gas pains, all is well. He said for that he may send me back to the GI. It could be a Gluten intolerance or it could go back to the Gastroparesis. I will tell you it hurts and nothing helps because it is in the top part of my abdomen and not down low by my rectum. I have been on 8 MCG of Amitiza twice per day, this has helped with distention. He wrote a prescription for the 24 MCG 1 or 2 per day to see if it helps. I will keep you guys updated.

Truly Happy

CHECK OUT HOW SLIM MY FACE LOOKS NOW!

Almost 3 months out

It has been awhile,most things are going well. I go for my 3 month Post-op on Thursday. I have a bowel movement every day. Of course, I have been on the Amitiza quite awhile. This has reduced the bloating significantly. There are still times where I get HORRIBLE gas pains but here is the kicker,they are up by my stomach not by my rectum. It is impossible to get it out when it is that high up. Over Labor Day weekend I was in so much pain. I have no idea what it is from as it seems to come in phases.
Same thing goes with the type of BM. One week, I will have pure liquid (looks like urine) bowel movements 10 times a day ( No, I don't mind this, I acutally prefer it). It doesn't hurt like diarrhea,it makes you feel so cleaned out, I thorougly enjoy pooping!lol My favorite part of the day.
Oh but going back to what I was saying, one week liquid bowel movement. The next week soft but formed, then the next week mush and not formed and then one week I barely go any when I do go(during the painful gas times). I would imagine it would have to be hormones but it doesn't line up with my Menstrual Cycle the way you think it would. So I don't know. I am so happy that I had this surgery. I feel great! I look great! 16 total pounds lost! 7 pounds away from my prebaby weight! I will post how Thursday's appointment goes,hopefully he will have some insight on the cause or cure for the upper trapped gas.

Oh and since I mentioned the heart problems, I did have my appointment. She wants me to have a 30 Day Cardiac Event Monitor and Echocardiogram done. I have decided to wait until my next panel of blood tests(in 4 more weeks) to see if that makes a difference. I actually was HYPER last time and that can cause heart symptoms.

Just noticed it had been awhile. Nothing has really changed. The Amitiza is still working,for now at least. I am feeling awesome. Since they switched me from Levothyroxine to Synthroid, I have noticed a huge difference. I feel great. I wake up before my alarm clock goes off. I have energy. I look good and healthy. I have my last appointment with my surgeon at the end of September. I also have the Endo appointment but I don't think I am going to go. My new PCP is very knowledgeable and now I have the correct diagnosis (Hashimotos) we can focus better on what to do. I am still so upset they all of my other doctors didn't think to check for Antibodies,welp that is why you have to be proactive no matter what you are dealing with!

How old am I again?

My 6 weeks was up on Wednesday. Doing pretty good. The Amitiza seems to be working. I have a deathly fear that it will stop working and I will have the distention again:( All is pretty good on the GI side of things. I had my first new patient appointment with my new PCP. I really like him. He is a nice guy and very VERY knowledgable. We ran a full panel of Thyroid tests today. We haven't ran a good workup in years because of my crappy doctor. I should get the results back next week. We also did a CBC and a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel.
Now to the interesting part. I told him all of my symptoms:the tingling,lightheadedness...etc He decided to do an EKG while I was there. The results are.................................................... I have a freaking Arrythmia. You have got to be freaking kidding me! I am 26 years old. Is anything about my health ok? I swear I have seen almost every type of doctor there is:/ I guess it is good that we caught it. He said it could be totally fine but could be a symptom of a deeper problem. He scheduled me an appointment with a Cardiologist next Tuesday. When will this ever end?!

All is going well. Some days are better than others and I still have the nausea but I am ok with it. I am taking the Amitiza twice a day. The last few weeks have been amazing. I have done more in that small amount of time than I have in months! I got the rundown of my surgery....over $50k! Wow, that is just crazy to me. Definitely worth it though!

I am so nauseous. I feel so horrible after eating,like I have the flu. I may have to break down and call the surgeon to see if he can give me something for the nausea.

Day 3

Today is day 3 of Amitiza. I am still distended but the Amitiza is making me have more bowel movements so it isn't as bad. So funny that it didn't work at all prior to surgery,without 7 feet of Colon it does. I hope things stay this way. I don't mind going a few more times per day. I am still very nauseous after I eat so that is another reason I think it may be the Gastroparesis. I really don't want to complain because I am a lot better. I am due for my next set of Thyroid labs so hopefully we can figure something out there too.

I am still having pretty significant distention. I have also been getting very nauseous. If you recall back in May I had a Gastric Emptying Scan. At 4 hours,20 percent remained and I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis. I haven't really looked into it since but I am wondering if that is what is causing my issues now. I am nauseous after a small amount, although I am still hungry. The distention is just terrible. I am thinking I may mention this to the surgeon.
I did get my Amitiza in the mail so they told me to try that for a week to see if I have any relief. If this doesn't work I am going to talk to him about the Gastroparesis and I may ask for a liver panel since I had an abnormal lab awhile back.

Ugh

I feel like crap. My stool is still bright orange. I still have distention. My Amitiza did't come in the mail. I have been shaky and nauseous and now I am running a fever. What is going on?!

I spoke to the doctor about the distention. He wants me to try Amitiza again. I had originally taken this medicine prior to starting the testing but it didn't help with the constipation but he said it should help with bloating. It is expensive so they are going to send me 2 weeks worth just to see if it helps. I really hope it does!

1 month out

I'm one month out,well almost. All in all doing ok,I have a bowel movement once per day. The last few days have been odd. The distention is back in my belly. The surgeon had surgery today so hopefully I will hear from him tomorrow. I am currently on my period so I expect bloating but this is pretty drastic. Not as bad as before but I am not happy with it. I don't know what could be wrong. Maybe there is something going on in my Liver,Gallbladder or Pancreas? I say this because originally my bowel movements were yellow(which is normal), then they became normal colored but now the last few days it has been orange. Obviously, I have no idea what I am talking about but it is my personality to try to figure out what is wrong with.
On another note, I finally got my appointment set for the Endocrinologists. My former PCP never faxed over my paperwork (can't stand her:/). So the nurse at the Endo's office is going to request my paperwork. She better not give me a hard time!

I am feeling better today. I decided that I will go back on a liquid diet though. I just have to remember that the surgeon said everything is unpredictably predictable. It is hard not to freak out after a surgery like this. I haven't exactly been eating all that well so that may be my fault. I am just going to take it one day at a time!

:/

Well I don't know what is going on. I barely went yesterday and today. I am so distended, I have tried Apple Juice and hot Coffe. Nothing. I am very upset right now.

Post Op

I had my 3 week post-operative appointment today. He said if I have anymore rectal buring that we can do a scan. Hopefully not, it hasn't happened in over a week! The reason that I am still having pain at the IV site is because I have a blood clot. I have to take Aspirin to hopefully clear it. The dizziness and tingling could be caused from dehydration. I am going to try to drink more water. If after a few weeks nothing has changed he is going to send me to see an Internist. I have one more appointment in 2 months and then I "graduate".LOL
I feel soooooo good. I am very happy I had the surgery. Now if I can just get my Thyroid straightened out! I had my records sent to an Endo so hopefully he can help. These last 10 years have been really hard. My thyroid levels are HORRIBLE. I have low T4 and my TSH has been over 100 numerous times. I don't know if you know anything about Thyroid levels but that is really bad. I have a lab drawn, my dose is increased, then decreased and then doubled. It is just back and forth:/ Even when my levels are "normal" I am still symptomatic.
Anyway, the surgery has given me a lot of energy back and even if I don't get the Thyroid figued out I can still deal. I am just so excited. My last 10 years has just been full of pain and sickness. I feel better than I can ever remember. If anyone is debating this surgery (and has had the necessary testing) I say do it! It got me my life back.
Well I am rambling, I will still post but hopefully not as much. No news is good news:)

I haven't posted in awhile but everything is going well. I go about one to two times per day. I don't know exactly how much I am going because it is still mush but I am very happy. I would prefer to be going 4 or so times per day but I feel good and am so happy that I had the surgery!!!! I go back to work on the 20th so I anxious about that but everyone including the doctor tells me I am doing remarkabley well! I have other issues going on. EVERY TIME I stand up I get dizzy,then my vision goes black and I get tingly. I know that is normal sometimes but every single time?!!!!

More pain

I'm going some now in a day and it the consistency of mush but it hurts. It feels like it is in my rectum and some comes out but then it feels like there is more and I push and strain and it hurts and burns.

Uh oh

Felt the urge to go to the bathroom and had to strain and push and it kinda hurt. I got some out,it was the same liquid and not solid at all. This is scary to me!

Follow up

Last time I posted was Monday the 4th. At that time, I was starting to get pretty bad gas pains and it was trapped. and not having a whole lot of movement. The pains lasted about 20 seconds and they were an 8 on the pain scale.
Tuesday was just as bad with gas pains. Same thing until about 6P.M. I was sitting in the living room/playroom with my daughters while my Mother-in-law was cooking dinner. I got up to urinate and I made it a few feet and had to sit down. If I wasn't curled over the pain was a 10,if I curled up it was an 8.The worst freaking pain I have ever felt my entire life!! I took some pain pills and tried to get back to the couch. The on-call doctor said to wait it out or to get to the ER because it could be a leakage. I waited about 45 minutes and the pain began to subside. I finally made it back to my couch in the family room and decided to take my temperature again. It had been 97.3 when this all started, which is quite normal. This time my temperatures was 100.0. I was stick to my stomach and was very nauseous. About 5 hours after this all started I had a bowel movement. I felt better the rest of the night.
On Wednesday, the gas pains were pretty low. I was more frequently able to get the gas out, still not a whole lot of movement. Felt good until the evening and my temperature spiked back up.
Today I had my appointment to get my staples out. That all went well, except my incisions hurt more now. He addressed all of my concerns. My temperature is high from my shallow breathing. I am always out of breath. What is happening is that my lungs are starting to collapse some and it is senting my temperature up. I have to start breathing exercises again. The Colon causes 95% of the gas in a human. Now that mine is gone I shouldn't have much but my bowels are slow right now but Liver and Pancreas are still spewing out which is causing my discomfort. I am taking Prilosec to slow down. As far as little to no bowel movements, he said my bowels are still sleepy and the first few weeks everything is "normally abnormal".
I go back in two weeks. If I am still not going we may do a scan. I still don't have a huge appetite and am down 8 lbs. Tonight I am again running a fever but I feel ok. I do not regret doing the surgery but I have no patience. This was major surgery and it should be expected that set backs will happen. All-in-all I am doing wonderfully so it makes me feel good to know that at least what is happening is normal!

Not a great night

Yesterday afternoon, I had a nice size bowel movement. I ate a small dinner. I noticed at about 5 hours that I hadn't gone to the restroom and didn't even have an urge to go. That is the longest I had went. About 2 hours later I woke up to urinate and went some, it was still liquid but I had to push it out and I didn't have an urge. I went a little one more time with the same issue. This morning I drank a glass of apple juice and I heard my bowels moving around and 5 minutes later went to the restroom. I am worried, was it something I ate, did my bowels go back to sleep, is this normal? I am way stressed right now.

July 3rd

I am feeling pretty good today. Pain is minor, definitely ready for another shower but man that wears me out. My bowel movements are turning more brownish in color. I have barely taken any pain meds!Here are some pictures of my battle wounds! I had 5 incisions and the bruises on my legs are from the Heparin, that stuff was horrible!

July 2nd

I got to go home this day! I was offered to go home after 3 days but my husband didn't feel comfortable. I was still having 10 bowel movements per day. I rarely just pass gas though which has me concerned.

July 1st

This day I started having bowel movements. They were liquid and yellow just like urine, I had about 10 and I am not complaining at all! I was moved from a clear liquid to full liquid to anything I wanted to eat. I was walking the only issue I had was a bad head ache. I got to take a shower that day!

June 30th

This day I woke up and was feeling pretty good. I got my catheter taken out and eventually my NG tube. That was the most disgusting thing I had ever experienced. I started walking and did well. I was able to tolerate liquid diets.

Surgery

I arrived at the hospital at 11 A.M. they were running behind like always. I talked to the doctor and anesthesiologist. Surgery was supposed to start at 1 but didn't begin until 1:45. Surgery was supposed to last 3.5 hours but ended up lasting 4.5 hours. My Colon was more than 7 feet long!!! That is huge! My Transverse Colon was attached to my Duodenum, there is usually fat between the two but I didn't have any. Apparently underneath all of my bloating I am tiny. I did very well but was unhappy when I ended waking up with an NG tube:/

Surgery Day

Today is the day. I am actually scared to death, and I have had a lot of surgeries and I am usually really calm. I want everything to go ok with my surgery and my recovery. My little girls needs me. I know that no one is following but if you came across this blog keep me in your thoughts. I have some final packing to do, spending time with my daughters and then we will be leaving for the hospital in about 3 hours.

Prep

Well I just started my prep. The Moviprep isn't as bad as some but still not good. Plus it is a lot to drink. The laxatives I took last night cleaned me out a lot too. I am feeling ok, still have a sore throat. I hope I feel ok in the morning. I plan on getting some good sleep but doubt I will with this prep! I plan on bring my laptop to the hospital and will post once I feel up to it. I am down 4 lbs from all the liquid, that is the only good news to report.lol

2 days!

There is so much going on right now! My biggest concern is my sore throat I have had for a month. The antibiotics did not take it away. I am hoping it is just allergies. I have tried everything: Tylenol,throat logenzes,gargling salt water and a humidifier. I am going to try lemon juice and honey tonight. I am so upset and annoyed. The nurse said it shouldn't be an issue unless I start running a fever or my throat becomes more inflammed. I am really worried. I have a bad feeling. I don't want to reschedule but with my luck it will happen:/
I started my liquid diet yesterday, 2lbs down! The plan is liquid diet today and laxatives. Then Tuesday more liquid,more laxatives and the Moviprep. I am so ready. Nervous about leaving my babies but I just want to feel better. Well I guess the countdown begins.

8 days

A little over a week left. I am excited and very nervous. Still worried about getting sick but mostly worried that surgery won't help. So many complications could occur:Anesthesia issues, Ileus, narrowing or leaking at the anastomosis site..etc What if it doesn't work and I am still constipated? I just want to feel better.I don't think it is too much to ask to feel better for my daughters. I am 26 years old, I deserve to live my life healthy!

Sick

So I was sick 3 weeks ago and my sore throat never went away. I decided to go to the doctor,being that surgery is 2 weeks away. He said my ears and throat were both red, and I was running a fever(had no clue). We decided it would be best to try some antiobiotics,so hopefully after the 10 day course of drugs I will feel better! I am so worried that he will reschedule the surgery:(

Took a tour

Today I took a tour of the hospital where I will be staying. It is really nice, it kinda felt like a hotel! I feel more comfortable now. I still have a sore throat,kinda starting to freak out. I do not want to be or get sick!

Haven't posted in a few days. I am doing fine. Just sticking to a very bland diet. Everything I eat will make me distended but if I am careful, I won't have to be in pain.

Was very pissed off yesterday. Found out my soon-to-be old PCP told my MIL(also her patient) that my constipation was just my Thyroid. Ok first off, why when my levels are fine am I still constipated? Second off, why in the HELL are you talking about me to someone else? HIPPA violation!!!!! Ugh I can't stand her, she is done. Now I just need to find a new doctor. I always have bad luck with female doctors:/

My tattoo is finished

Well my tattoo for my baby girls is finished and almost healed, it is still scabby. It took two sessions and about 5 1/2 hours total. The "branch" is actually the symbol for Aries, which is my daughters zodiac sign. The two Hummingbirds are my daughters. The three Cherry Blossoms are the Embryos we put back with our IVF. The bud is the Embryo that did not implant. This thing hurt, my last tattoo did not but this was HORRIBLE!

Hard Day

Each day gets harder and harder. I am becoming depressed. We tried taking the girls to the park today,but I felt so bad that I just sat there. Story of my life:( I am such a waste of space. I am worthless. I am a horrible mother, they won't even want to be a part of me eventually. This stupid illness has ruined my life. I don't think it would really matter if anything did happen during surgery, all I am is a burden to my family. Those I love the most.

Insurance

Well I spoke to the surgeon's office. My insurance APPROVED THE SURGERY!!! They approved it for one day BUT the nurse said they do this a lot because they don't want to pay for 5 days if you are only going to need to be in 4 days. So they have something called Utilization Review which every day calls and talks to the insurance company to cover the next day. What a pain but whatever, no complaints. What sucks is I have a cold, it is going through my house. Better now than later but I swear I will wear a mask, drink my OJ and carry hand sanitizer everywhere if I need to!

Worried

I wish I wasn't so worried all the time. Now I am concerned that insurance will deny the surgery. Also, I am afraid that my Preop labs will come back abnormal and we will have to reschedule or what if I get sick?!.Surgery is 4 weeks away and it feels like a lifetime. I'm passed being ready. I never have a good day anymore. I want to feel better!

Ugh

I just feel the need to point this out because I keep hearing it "Constipation is not a disease it is a symptom", ok for most it is but not for everyone. I eat well as it is and exercise. Fiber doesn't do anything but give me gas. This is a functional problem. The nerves and my muscles in my Colon are DEAD. Nothing is going to help, I wish people would quit talking about that which they know nothing about!!

Surgery

Surgery is set for June 29th at 1P.M. I have to arrive at 11A.M. It will probably take between 3.5-4hours and typical hospital stay is around 4-5 days. He will be removing a small portion of Small Intestine and all of the Colon except the rectum and 1 inch of Sigmoid Colon. I am so excited and so ready to get this over with and continue living my life. Good thoughts please:)

Tomorrow

Well tomorrow is my doctors appointment. It was moved up to the morning so that is good but I am so nervous. I hope he offers surgery. I am tired of the pain, I want to feel somewhat normal again. This consume my whole life. I will update but I am so worried he will say no.

Impaction

OMG another impaction. I am so done, I want this thing out. If he doesn't offer surgery I don't know what I will do. This has been progressively getting worse and worse. I can't take the pain anymore:(

I don't get it, how can I have a slow Stomach and non-functioning Colon but a super Small Bowel? I have a list of questions to ask the doctor about surgery as well as the SBFT. I am trying not to worry. What else would they do for a fast Small Bowel? We know the Large Intestine won't get better so wouldn't be in my best interest just to get the surgery?
Something he said that was interesting and that 60% of patients consider the surgery a complete success while 20% still struggle with constipation and 20% have horrible diarrhea. He said he had one lady who has such bad diarrhea she has to have IV fluids once per week. This is where my concern from the SBFT comes from. He did mention though they he leaves a very small segment of Sigmoid Colon so maybe that would help. I don't know, I just want this diseased Colon out of me. I just didn't expect these results. We spoke about what would happen if I had a slow Small Bowel but we sure didn't talk about this:(

Camilla and Alivia-These are my two beauties. Camilla is the blondie with blue eyes,she is my clone with hair almost to her butt. Alivia is follically challenged but what she lacks in hair she makes up for in sass. They are amazing little girls. So well mannered. They are my entire world.

Aren't they cute?!

Well I figured for anyone who may see this, it is nice to know what the person's story your reading looks like. Also, additional information. I am 26 years old. I have been married for almost 8 years. I have a BA in Clinical Rehabilitational Psychology. I have twin daughters born March 21, 2009. They are IVF babies! They are my entire world and so gorgeous! I love football (GO COLTS!), traveling, reading and most of all SLEEPING!

My hair color changes frequently;)

SBFT and UGI

Ok so today was my hopefully last two tests. I arrived at the hospital. They brought me back with the Flouroscopy room was. I stood in front of the x-ray and swallowed these crystals that tasted horrible. I then washed that down with THICK Barium. They leaned me back and had me to flips and move every which way. The UGI took 10 minutes and was perfectly normal.
After the UGI was the Small Bowel Follow Through. They had me drink another huge cup of thinner Barium. I was then going to be taken back every 15 minutes for an x-ray until it reached the Cecum. Well they were late, so my first x-ray was at 30 minutes. The tech came out and said that I was done:o I was in shock. Normal is between like 1-4 hours for this test. Mine was 30 minutes!!!! Every other part of me is slow but not my small intestines.
I started to freak out thinking that this will be bad for surgery. I called my surgeon and the nurse said he was out until Monday:/ So I decided to get the report from the Radiologist. It said that everything looked fine and then my transit time of 30 minutes was "within normal limits". So I suppose it is normal but I still worry that he will say this will be an issue for surgery. So I guess I have to wait and be patient.

Obsessed

This is just ridiculous. I worry myself sick,all I can think about is this test on Thursday. Ugh, I am so close but yet I feel so far away. I have been called a pessimist but in reality when pretty much everything else has been abnormal,how am I supposed to believe that this wont?! I don't want to do more tests, I am so frusturated!

A glimmer of hope

Today went better than I imagined. He said that I did have Gastroparesis which is great that it isn't too bad but it is enough to warrant a small bowel follow through. Gastroparesis can get worse after a Colectomy though. So I will have the SBFT on Thursday. Next, surgeons appointment is on the 26th,if the small bowel test comes back normal we will be scheduling the surgery.

Tomorrow is the surgeon's appointment. I am so nervous. I can't believe I was so close to surgery and then this happened. I feel so helpless. I know I am wallowing in my own pity but I am so frusturated.

Update

At 4 hours, I had 20% remained for the GET. So it is mild Gastroparesis, don't know where we will go from here. I know I will have to have my small bowel tested. I guess I will find out from the surgeon on the 16th.

Had my tests today. Nerve study and Anorectal Manometry was normal. The GET however was not. At 4hours, more than 10% remained and this is not good. I have a feeling that surgery will no longer be an option. I am devestated.

So Anxious

My three tests are on Wednesday. I am so anxious to get them done and over with. I imagine the surgeon won't tell me my results until my next appointment which is May 24th:/ I am trying to wrap my mind around the fact that I am supposed to relax while having something stuck up my butt. lol Of course, I am going to be tense!!!!! I am still so worried about the Manometry. I dread the fact that I may have to have a Botox injection and go through biofeedback. Even if I do have some Anismus, it doesn't matter if the stool NEVER REACHES THE RECTUM! I do imagine they will find some Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. I have tried to learn to relax but I am such a tense person. I also dread spending 4-8 hours at the hospital. What a lot of fun that will be. Good thing, my insurance should cover all this so I will not complain anymore.

Had the appointment with my surgeon. He stated that he wanted me to have a few more tests before continuing on with surgery. On the 11th, I have to have an Anorectal Manometry, Pudendal Nerve Study and a Gastric Emptying test. He said that my colon was very long, loopy and redundant. All of these test must come back normal or no surgery for me, I would have a different strategy for treatment. So I supposed I will wait and see what those tests show. This is all so stressful, I just do not want to have to suffer anymore!

I never want to experience that again

So Sunday I had what I believe was an impaction. I actually felt the urge to have a bowel movement. I tried and pushed and strained but nothing happened. At this point, I must have pushed the stool down some because the pressure and the pain was horrible. I tried for an hour and a half. I was barely able to get the enema in, it was so large and so hard. After about 45 minutes I was able to expel the stool (not without pain). This was the worst pain of my life, I was dizzy and I had a pounding headache from the pushing. I do not want to do this again ever. This was just horrible. It was so hard to have that pressure,pain and urge to go but when I did I almost passed out from the pain. Good thing I had a c-section and not a vaginal birth!lol

The present

So all this brings me up to now. The next step is to have an appointment with a Colorectal Surgeon and have an Anorectal Manometry done. This tests the pressure of the muscles and the nerve endings in the rectum. My appointment is next Thursday the 28th, this is just an appointment, no testing. I am extremely nervous but hopefully he will be the answer to all of my problems. I will stay updated. Wish me luck.

My pelvic floor issues

An Enterocele is where the small intestine basically falls down into the rectum.
A Rectocele is where the rectum bulges into the vagina.

Defecography

Sorry about all the grammatical errors in the last post, I didn't proofread.
Anyway, after the Sitzmarker came back abnormal the next step was to test for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. I had to prep for the test. The prep, just like with the Colonoscopy did not work and I was forced to take additional laxatives. I arrived in Radiology early Monday morning. I had to drink 2 12oz bottles of Barium (This stuff was disgusting). I had an abdominal x-ray and then was transferred to the Defogram room.
Once there, I spoke with the Radiologist about my history with constipation. Then he injected my vagina and rectum with Barium paste. I was asked to sit on a "toilet". They needed to x-ray what happens when I try to have a bowel movement. I was asked to relax, bear down and eliminate the paste. I was able to eliminate most of the Barium.
There are many issues that this can test for, my worry was Anismus. Anismus is where the rectum spasms instead of relaxing during evacuation. The "cure" for this is Biofeedback or Botox injections in the rectum, a last resort would be to have a bag. Neither the Biofeedback or the Botox. have a great result rating. However, this particular test showed that my rectum was relaxing during defecation. I do have a small Rectocele and Enterocele. These are very common in women that have had children. He explained that they were so small that these were not was making it impossible for me to have a bowel movement. This was great news for me!

Sitz Marker Study

Total Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis. The colon is removed and the small intestine is connected to the rectum.

Day 7

Day 4

The first part of my testing was to do a Sitz Marker Study. There are various ways to do this but my directions were to take one capsule for 3 days in a row and go in and get an x-ray on day 4 and 7. The capsules contained 24 small rings. This test is to show colon transit time. On day 4, all of my markers were in my ascending colon. This meant even my markers from day 1 had only made it that far. On day 7, I had 12 in the ascending, 1 in the transverse, 12 in the descending and 37 int he rectosigmoid area. This is not good, they should all be gone. After my GI, saw the results I was diagnosed with Colonic Inertia. Which is basically where you colon just isn't working. There is no cure. The only thing to do is to continue taking the laxatives or have a Total Colectomy with Ilorecatal Anastomosis.

***** I need to add, during this test I had a stomach bug and I do believe that my transit time was increased. Judging by the fact, that my abdomen was making sounds that it usually does not make.

Distention

This is how I look now, distended and gross. I haven't even gained a pound.

How I should look!

How it all started

My whole life I have struggled with constipation, horrible bloating and gas. Even as a teenager, I can recall having to take laxatives to have a bowel movement. As I have gotten older it has gotten worse and worse. At age 18, I approached my PCP about my issues with having a bowel movement. They did blood work an checked my thyroid. I was found to have an extremely high TSH, and was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I was put on medication.
The doctors all told me that once my levels were at a good level that my constipation should be cured. I was told to continue to increase the amount of water that I drink as well as increase fiber, which I did but his cause more issues. After my levels were stable, I went back to my doctor and was diagnosed with IBS( I never accepted this diagnosis). He told me to try Zelnorm. I did and again, no relief.
In 2006, I had a Colonoscopy. The prep failed and I had to take additional laxatives. My scope was good aside from the fact that I had polyps that were easily removed. I had mild Melanosis Coli and a long redundant Colon. Afterwards, I was told to try Miralax, which supposedly was a miracle drug! I tried and there was no difference. I increased my dose to 3 or 4 capfuls three times a day and nothing happened.
After my Colonoscopy, I just lived with it. Other than the fact that the amount of laxatives I had to take to make a bowel movement increased, I was doing ok. In 2008, my issues got bad again. I wen to visit another GI. He had mentioned a few tests that I should do to hopefully find the cause of my constipation. I was going through IVF and that next month I became pregnant with my daughters. All testing was put on hold.
During pregnancy, constipation was absolutely HORRIBLE. However, they were worth every moment of it. After delivery, I had a very brief amount of time where I was able to use the bathroom a couple of times a week. This was short lived and I went back to having my normal issues. Again, I just put up with it.
In February of 2011, I hit an all time low. Laxatives were losing effectiveness, I was having to take 10 or so to maybe have a bowel movement. I would have to plan a potty day, in case it worked. The bloating became distention. So uncomfortable and so bad that I was forced to wear my maternity clothes again. I hurt so bad. I would sit at work and just cry. I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't live this way any longer. At 26,I had no quality of life. All I wanted to do was lay in bed. I didn't want to go to work, take my kids to the park or do anything at all. I of course questioned my new PCP and she blamed it on my IBS. I HAD IT WITH THE IBS DIAGNOSIS! I knew this was not what was wrong.
With the typical reaction from regular doctor I decided to revisit my GI. He told me before we try any testing lets try a new medication called Amitiza. We started on 8MCG and after two weeks moved up to 24MCG. No change, surprise surprise:/ He then told me I had the option to start my tests. At this point, I knew that nothing was going to get better. If anything it was going to continue to get worse.