ColectomyI

i have had IBS for 20+ years, and this year I have been struggling with constipation. When Zelnorm was prescribed 2 years ago, I thought I was in heaven.  I was regular without cramping for the first time in my life.  Now I am in total colonic inertia and dr is saying surgery.  I have a colonoscopy in sept and then surgery.  He hasn't talked with me about it yet, just told me I needed it.  I am just curious about how much this is going to change my life, my work, my sex life, my energy.  If anyone has experience with this, I would appreciate the feedback.  I am also a recovering alcoholic, sober 5 years, so I am curious about the pain meds involved with surgery.

Zelnorm is notorious for losing it's effectivness. However, if you take a regular "vacation" from it then it will kick back in. I will go a week or two without taking it then start back up again, plus I found for me less is more...I only need 3mg in the AM for it to be effective any more than that it won't work.

I agree with the other posters, it's seems like a very drastic step to have that kind of surgery for this problem. Good luck.