Help with pelvic floor and slow transit
So I was diagnosed with pelvic floor dysfunction via anorectal manometry and have started pelvic floor therapy with biofeedback.
I just did my sitz maker study and my colorectal doctor had me swallow what she considered day 1, do X-ray at day “3” 48 hours after swallowing, and X-ray at day “5” 96 hours. Day 3, 5 markers at the splenic flexure and 1 at rectum. Day 5 one marker at the splenic flexure.
Her view of the results were stool stuck at splenic flexure and gas in the descending at day 3 as well as a higher flexure she counts this as slow transit. She started me on Linzess 70mcg. I will have mostly watery stool 4 hours after taking it and then later another small movement but more solid (though thin from pelvic floor)
I also take 200mg magnesium citrate gummies and drink over 80 fl oz water. I’m not sure what to do. Is the Linzess worth it? Am I ok with just the magnesium going every 3-4 days but not emptying completely. Im at a loss and she even suggested a colon resection if the meds fail. Just need some advice, I’m sorry this was so long 😕
- Do you have the urge to go, but you cannot? Or do you have zero urge to go? (this is the most important question) If there is enough in the rectum I will feel the urge
- Do you have alternating diarrhea and constipation, or just constipation? without linzess constipation, though soft stool never hard
- Do you have nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, or early satiety (getting full really early into a meal)? No
- Have you had this issue since childhood, or did it begin in teen years/adulthood/after a major life event (surgery? divorce? car accident? mauled by bears?) Always seemed more on the constipated side, but worse in my 40s as a woman
- Did you in the past or do you currently take any medications that could damage your intestines? The acne drug Accutane/Sotret/Claravis/many other names (isotretinoin) has been linked to serious conditions of the digestive tract. I am absolutely convinced that my large intestine was destroyed by this drug. Antibiotics are also a major culprit in ruining the small intestine microbiome and causing diarrhea/constipation disorders. Antidepressants can ruin the serotonin balance in the gut as well. Was on antibiotics since I was 12, stopped last October
- Did you suffer sexual abuse as a child? There is a high degree of correlation between childhood sexual abuse and adult constipation disorders. Meaning, a lot of people with chronic constipation disorders in adulthood experienced trauma when they were young. This sort of thing must be investigated by both your doctor and a therapist in coordination. Do some Googling on this topic if you believe this might be your issue. No