colonic inertia and slow transit

Hi lorilou, colonic inertia and slow transit colon are the same as I understand it. It is a motility issue where the muscles and/or nerves of the colon do not work properly or at all and the waste is not passed along through the colon for evacuation. I am a sufferer also, and yes, diet doesn't seem to have an effect. I just don't go. Only an enema works. Many times I need to do 2 enemas-back to back and I'm still not empty. And yes, the pain is tremendous. Sometimes it subsides alittle, and I get daring and eat something I want to but shouldn't; then I pay with pain. Have you gone through testing?

I went through many many tests years ago at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. They did every test except the one where you swallow the markers and see how long before they pass. You have to do that with out laxatives etc and I just couldn't bear it then as I was teaching full time. What is the test for this? and sometimes I do go well with fiber but female issues seem to be affecting me. Uh###!

Hi lorilou, The marker test is very significant because through X-rays they can see how many markers are left in the colon after 3 days and then after 5 days. Also can see exactly where in the colon they are. The radiologist actually counts markers that he sees in the film. So if you have a certain number present after 5 days, for example, the GI dr. may diagnose you with colonic inertia. You may have a very severe case or milder depending on the number remaining. All the tests are important, but the marker test especially. Perhaps you should do it in the summer when you're not teaching. What do you mean by "female issues?" Menopause? PMS?

gerwyscag and others, the sitz marker test would be very important, but if she takes the test and it shows what is obvious (that her colon doesn't work) what else could or would the drs. do different? I am not refuting the statement, I am actually curious if there would be other options to move onto after the sitz test--- thanks

Hello gerwyscag,I am curious if daily enemas have any side effects? I've heard they can cause electrolyte imbalance, and so one should avoid this practice. But can't one simply take electolyte suppliments, like Gatoraid?

atrain,The marker test does not tell you anything you didnt already knowFor example if you know you are constipated with a particular diet and you stay on that particular diet when you take the test the markers will say you are constipated - which you already knew going in. Its obvious that the colon wont work if you dont give it the proper inputs. Its very complicated like the engine in your car. If you dont give your car the right fuel mixture and the right electrical timing the engine wont run. You dont throw away the engine or the colon in any event. You cant tell if a colon works or not from such a test.

quote:colonic inertia and slow transit colon are the same as I understand it

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The term colonic inertia refers to delayed transit in the right (ascending) colon. Slow transit refers to generalized slow transit throughout the entire colon.

quote:but if she takes the test and it shows what is obvious (that her colon doesn't work)

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quote:The marker test does not tell you anything you didnt already know

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It's not necessarily obvious. Of all those with constipation, quite a few have normal transit. They have IBS, not impaired transit. Or they may have pelvic floor dysfunction. This last condition is a relatively new discovery.

quote:Its obvious that the colon wont work if you dont give it the proper inputs.

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Impaired transit does not depend on input. It's intrinsically impaired.

quote:You cant tell if a colon works or not from such a test.

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You can clearly tell if the colon has impaired transit and is not working from this test.