enlarged colon

[NiksB]

I have just had double ballon colonoscopy and i have 60-70% enlarged colon and inflammation areas on the inside wall of the colon- i wondered if anyone else has this or had it and what happened??? thanks

[Coppernob]

I was told a couple of years back (after many horrendous, humiliating investigations, far worse than just a colonoscopy [which, perversely, I quite enjoy, and being conscious throughout so I can watch the screen - but that's just me being kinky :-)]) that I had a mega-colon and something else that I forget now. Hypo-sensitive rectum, I think. I was suffering from total, complete, concrete constipation. Had been going on for over two years, despite attentions of two professors of gastroenterology, no less.

Load of b*****cks. My naturopathic doctor suggested a stool test - that showed some 'bad bugs' and absolutely zero 'good bugs' - the worst result she'd ever seen. A course of natural antibiotics and probiotics sorted that out and improved matters immeasurably. I now keep the bowels going - with some occasional temporary 'hold-ups' - with a little sauerkraut every day and a glass of prune juice.

I also find an occasional coffee enema is helpful. And resort to glycerine suppositories, or a dose of bisocodyl in emergencies - i.e. when I get stubbornly bunged up again for a few days.

I think our problem - especially with Sjogren's - is that the colonic tract gets dry like everything else, so stuff can't move through. Carbocisteine also helps with that - it's given to loosen sticky lung secretions but, hey, guess what, it also loosens sticky intestinal secretions. Who knew? Certainly not the docs. Nothing new there, then.

I guess colonic inflammation makes sense - since we're constantly riddled with inflammation - why should the colon escape? And maybe the only remedy is 'good ol' steroids - but I wouldn't know about that.

Hope this helps a bit.

[charlie007 in reply to Coppernob]

I would have the same symptoms as you have outlines,just wondering do you get severe migraine ?I feel my colon problems are causing my migraines, I would be grateful for your opinion.

[Coppernob in reply to charlie007]

Hi Mary, yes I do get migraines. They're usually well controlled now, though, with the plaquenil. And I haven't, to be honest, ever consciously linked them to constipation. I'll try to remember to check if there's a link in future. But I do think it's quite common for constipation to cause 'normal' headaches - so why not migraines as well in susceptible people?

I know if I get tired and/or dehydrated I get a migraine. So if dehydration is contributing to your (or anyone's) constipation, I guess it wouldn't be surprising if it also contributed at the same time to a migraine or other severe headache. Perhaps you need to look at your hydration?

Does that help at all?

[charlie007 in reply to Coppernob]

Hi,

Thanks a million,drinking more water is something I will have to work on as I am not great at drinking it,and I might see an improvement.My own Doctor does not feel there is a link between constipation and severe Migraine(but I still feel there is)

[Kirsty2510]

Hi

I have colon problems linked to Lupus. I have had quite a few admissions this year and was due to have colectomy in April 21st this year, at the last minute I got away with it as things settled. My medication have been very good and the disease is pretty well controlled at present. I know things can change but for now all good .