Intestinal motility problems

[Zeitgeist]

Hi, I have had bowel issues for over 30 years. Dozens of medical investigations led to a firm diagnosis of motility dysfunction in the large bowel. This dysfunction intermittently causes a blockage where nothing will pass through, causing me a lot of pain and fever. I do not have constipation as such, or diarrhoea.

My condition is categorised as a "functional bowel disorder". IBS is also a functional bowel disorder, so one might say the two conditions are related but are not the same. Though the effects can be similar in both. From years of looking I have not found a forum that fits my symptoms better than an IBS forum.

I manage my condition through diet. I have Diverticular Disease as well as the bowel dysfunction, so have to be on low residue (low fibre) diet anyway. I also follow a FODMAPs diet which avoids all grains. It does mean a very restricted diet but is the only way I have found to manage my condition without the frequent bouts of fever and pain I suffered all through my 30's and 40's.

I am about to start taking a probiotic again, as there is now clinical evidence that shows it can have some beneficial effect in bowel disorders like mine.

I would be interested to know if there is anyone else here who has a similar bowel condition to mine and how they go about managing it.

Many thanks.

[MaggieJemima]

Probiotic yog

Colpermin

Little olive oil before meals

[Grannycake]

There are 2 types of fibre. Soluble and insoluble. 4 weeks ago I changed to soluble only and it's made a big difference to me. I have the same problems as you and for years docs have told me,eat more fibre,but it was the wrong type. Use your search engine,you will be amazed how little fibre people eat,and is it the right kind. Hope this helps

[Zeitgeist in reply to Grannycake]

Hi, yes, I have been on a soluble fibre diet (a.k.a low residue diet) for the past 10 years. It almost put a stop to the blockages I was getting on a high insoluble fibre diet. The rest of the improvement was as a result of combining the low residue diet with the FODMAPs diet. I rarely get blockages now. Thank goodness.

[Neil119]

I have diverticular disease producing pellets & pain. I take rice krispies + probiotic yoghat am & pm. now give myself colonic irrigation daily via NHS. Good toilet movement daily but still have to remove medium /hard pellets lunch time with anal finger manipulation daily. Life is not easy for any of us. Now 74 doing this for 3 years.

[Zeitgeist in reply to Neil119]

It sounds difficult and uncomfortable for you With my DD I could not eat rice krispies without causing a blockage.

[Patcy2468]

Hi patricia here I am suffering from the symtoms in the bowel as you are babe but they said it was ibs for ten yrs & now they found out 15 yrs later after getting manutricion from not getting the right nutrients which led me getting a urgent blood transfusion I had coeliac disease so that ibs is really bad pain I take a anti spasmodic drug it helps the smooth musle of the bowel when the food goes down the intestine is so complicated take care patricia

[Zeitgeist in reply to Patcy2468]

Hi Patricia, thanks for your reply. Sorry you have coeliac disease. I tested neg for that.

I tried anti-spasmodic drugs some years ago, but they gave me intolerable griping pain in my colon and did not stop the blockages. I'm glad the drugs have worked for you though.

[Patcy2468 in reply to Zeitgeist]

Thanze hun the digestive system is so complicated so we wont let it grind us down take care patricia

[Kerry1971]

I have suffered with bowel problems for years. 9 years ago I got diagnosed with an under active thyroid and started taking lethrothyroxine which made my bowels work better for a few years.

3 years ago I had such horrific tummy pain I got rushed to hospital and an X Ray confirmed I had volvolus (my bowel had folded over itself due to severe constipation) I was given a truck load of laxatives and kept in hospital for a few days. Over the next 2 years things got worse and I was in hospital every 6 to 8 weeks for a week at a time on Iv fluids, morphine and an NG tube. I had every test and scan going and was finally diagnosed with slow transit constipation which means the nerves and muscles in my bowel don't work properly. My bowel was very long, loose and floppy due to years of severe constipation. Finally last year after being rushed back in I had a 5 hour operation to remove 1/3 of my large bowel. I was in hospital for 2 weeks but have not been back in since. I am now gluten, dairy and soya free and take 2 laxido drinks a day. I had to push so much to get the Drs to listen me even though I was in severe pain. Best of luck to you