Considering colonic irrigation for ongoing bowel issues and right-sided pain

[BrownWoodenChair]

Hello! Not a poo troll ask mumsnet if unsure. Ive been to the gp so many times with bowels. All tests ok. I get a lot of loose stools or tend to feel loaded and literally sit on the loo and pass about 20 motions at once. I go everyday. Also chronic right sided pain. Im actually thinking of getting colonic irrigation to see if this helps? Am I mad?

You say you’ve had all tests? Including colonoscopy? Forgive me, but isn’t the prep for a colonoscopy basically the same result as a colonic irrigation?

You have sympathy. Bowel issues are no fun.

No colonoscopy just constant bloods and stool samples. Had a CT that was ok

All that does it clear everything out for a day or so and it also destroys your natural good bacteria.

I would stick to contacting your GP.

Don't bother. I felt worse after one and I had to go to GP because I was in a lot of pain afterwards and was very worried. He told me not to ever have one again and I shouldn't have had one in the first place. It was also not the most fun experience anyway.

Try psyllium husks and keeping on top of fibre etc.

I had a few a few years ago. Everyone is different I guess, but I didn’t think it was a worthwhile procedure. Expensive, and no discernible benefits. Wouldn’t have another.

Has the right-sided pain been evaluated? Have you had a gynae exam?

Could it be diet related? Keep a food and symptom diary

It sounds like you need more medication investigations, not an unproven treatment by a non-medic.

Second gynae exam. Have they given you a vaginal ultrasound? Checked for endometriosis?

Ive been checked for all sorts. I do have pcos and get occasional cysts that come and go. On pill so no periods. Currently trying a very low sugar diet to see if that helps. I did eat bread yesterday and my bowels were really bad ie 20 poos at once ! Im off bread again as it of course turns into sugar !

What do you mean by 20. You mean like little rabbit droppings? Or continuous?

Sounds horrible. And coeliac testing?

ALL carbohydrates are made up of linked “sugar” molecules so they all turn into sugar!

If they’re tiny movements it’s possible that you’re constipated.

No big motions! Coeliac testing negative

Colonoscopy prep is a colonic irrigation. It does nothing in itself (in fact it may be negative due to the extent it strips out your gut)

I would ask for, or pay for, a colonoscopy. You can’t tell what’s happening in there without one.

Are you keeping a food and symptom diary to pinpoint any patterns?

Common culprits:

Gluten (even if not coeliac you can be intolerant)
Dairy
Refined sugar
Processed foods
Nightshades
Eggs
Soya
Corn