u/NoMap749

Post

PREVIOUS POST:

https://www.reddit.com/r/ColonicInertia/s/U4M8ZPcqLl

CURRENT UPDATE:

Hello Everyone,

I originally made a post on this sub about my colonic inertia issues in August of last year, and a few people asked me to create a follow up post about my medical process, which I’m now making. I’ve tried and exhausted pretty much every possible avenue over the past 3-4 years since this began, and I’m finally having a total colectomy with ileorectal anastomisis at a large university hospital near me in May to hopefully rid myself of this condition once and for all. All four of my gastroenterologists I’ve been seeing have said that they think surgery would be the best treatment option for me now that everything else has been attempted. I’m quite excited for it considering how much colonic inertia has derailed my life and disabled me for so long, and I’m ready to leave this period of my life in the past. I know this procedure may come with new challenges that I haven’t experienced before, but enduring those is preferable to my current existence. I’ve heard countless people recount how surgery finally gave them some semblance of their normal life back, and I’m hoping I can have the same outcome. The possibility of no more pain, bloating, appetite loss, weight loss, starving, failed medications, etc is what gives me enthusiasm.

As for what I'm doing now, nothing really. Just waiting day to day for the surgery in a little over a month. I'm continuing to stretch daily to maintain my progress that I made in loosening my pelvic floor, but not much else. If anyone has any questions or feedback, feel free to ask.

TESTS I UNDERWENT FOR DIAGNOSIS:

•Sitzmarker Motility Test (July 2025): 72 out of 72 ring markers remaining after 7 days. Rings were spread out evenly throughout the entire large intestine, which my gastroenterologist suggested to be indicative of colonic inertia.

•Small Bowel Follow Through (August 2025): Completely normal. Barium drink reached colon after 90-120 minutes.

•Gastric Emptying Study (August 2025): Slightly slow, but otherwise normal.

•X-Ray Defecography (August 2025): Moderate to high retention of barium enema, which reflected pelvic floor tightness.

•Anorectal Manometry (October 2025): Scored poorly and failed balloon expulsion test. Began physical therapy immediately afterward. Doctor running the test noted that he thought my previous sitzmarker test indicated that my constipation was not being caused by my pelvic floor issues.

•Anorectal Manometry (February 2025): Second test to measure the efficacy of the biofeedback physical therapy I underwent for 4 months. Massive improvements in pelvic floor functionality, including passing the balloon expulsion test. Constipation remained unchanged, unfortunately.

•Countless other blood and genetic tests that revealed no answers, which aren’t worth mentioning.

MEDICATIONS/SUPPLEMENTS ATTEMPTED AND FAILED:

•Prucalopride

•Linzess

•Amitiza

•Trulance

•Miralax

•Sennosides

•Bisocodyl

•Mineral Oil

•Magnesium Oxide

•Soluble and Insoluble Fiber

OTHER NOTABLE TREATMENTS THAT FAILED:

•Psychological Counseling

•Meditation Techniques

•Fecal Transplant

•Biofeedback/Physical Therapy

•Expensive integrative medicine doctors who came to the same conclusion that surgery was the best option