Constipation

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joollee
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 9:21 pm
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by joollee on Fri Apr 06, 2018 9:57 pm

Constipation

I have chronic constipation and have to do colonic irrigation to myself. Can you see this as always being the case or will things improve. I seem to have been abandoned by the health professionals.

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Dr Christopher Black
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 12:57 pm
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by Dr Christopher Black on Fri Apr 20, 2018 3:13 pm

Re: Constipation

Hi Joolee,

Irrigation devices for chronic constipation have evidence to support that they work and that they are safe. They are usually recommended for patients with chronic constipation which has not responded to drug treatments. If you are happy using this approach and it is providing adequate treatment and relief of your symptoms, then it is not a problem to use this long term. However, I get the sense from your question that you'd rather not use irrigation if possible?

I'm not sure how long you've suffered with chronic constipation, or when you last saw a specialist? There are now a number of newer drug treatments, for example Linaclotide (Constella), beyond conventional laxatives which can be tried in constipation, and which you might not have been offered already?

It is also important to consider whether there may be any problem with co-ordination of opening the bowels. This involves interaction of the bowel, the anal sphincters, the pelvic floor muscles, and the abdominal wall muscles. Sometimes this co-ordination can become less effective, and this can be tested for. This type of problem doesn't tend to respond very well to laxative treatments, but a specific type of retraining called biofeedback can be tried.

I would suggest you discuss the problem again with your GP, and referral to see a specialist to discuss other options can be considered.

Kind regards,
Dr Christopher Black
Clinical Research Fellow in Gastroenterology, MBBS MRCP

http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... _black.php

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