What do you do..........?

Hi, my family has a high trait of diverticulitus and my grandfather, uncle and mother all 3 have had to have emergency surgeries, where we nearly lost them.  My mother has had 2 surgeries from this disease, she has also had a surgery where they removed a huge cyst on one of her ovaries.  Unfortunately, when the surgeon when in to take this out, she punctured what little bit of colon she had left.  Well of course they had to go back in again and remove the damaged part.  My mother currently has only 18cm left of her colon.  Now, as you should know, this would leave someone with pure diarhea (diarrhea) all day everyday.  She is extremely misserable.  With all the technology that we have today, is'nt there some thing that can be used to rebuild a colon for her?  She can't leave her home for fear of messing in her pants.  She is on disability because she can't stay at a job long enough.  She has more bad (physically) days than good one's.  My mother is a vibrant woman with lots of energy and now she is dwindled to nothing.  It is not fair that she has to pay for a surgeons screw up. I know there is a way to help her, I just don't know enough to find the answere.  Also, she takes several types of medications to help keep her from having so much diarrhea, and the doctors have tried several different combinations, but they don't do anything.  She has no peace.  Can't enjoy her grandchildren, nothing.  This makes is quite hard for the rest of the family because we want her to be more involved in our lives and yet it is extremely limited.  Can someone please help.  Please give me some hope that there is somthing that can work, does work, and help her to get her life back!  Thank you,

Her Loveing Daughter,
Angie Slotte

[Kevin Pho, MD]

If medications are not helping, there are some cases where colon can be transplanted.  This has been done on some small bowel cases of short bowel syndrome.  Other investigation surgical techniques would be procedures to improving the surface area of the bowel or slowing transit.  

Some of these options are investigational, but should be discussed with your personal physician or surgeon.

You can consider a referral to a tertiary care facility for further evaluation.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[kimbacat]

I'm sorry to hear your mom has been having so many problems.  how long has it been since her last bowel surgery?  does she still have her rectum?  have they tested to make sure it is still working effectively?  it can take up to a year or more for her remaining bowel to readjust and for her stool to thicken up.  it'll never be the same as it was, but it should get better.  

has she tried the simple things like eliminating caffeine, cutting down on sugar and not drinking with meals (or drinking very little)?  caffeine stimulates the bowels and accelerates the process.  sugar also tends to be processed quickly by the gut.  by not drinking or drinking very little with each meal, that allows the solid food to go thru first and not be diluted by liquids.  try to drink an hour after eating, but still drink plenty of fluids.  is she eating 4-5 smaller meals a day rather than 2-3 large meals, because that will help too.

if she can find one food that is somewhat constipating or are bulking and include some of that thruout the day, that will help also.  usual culprits are bananas, peanut butter, oatmeal, whole grains, etc.  

I would have her avoid carbonated beverages and foods that produce gas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, etc) as these might cause confusion.... is it just gas or do I need to go to the bathroom?  reducing gas output will help with that.

I would definitely try to get her to use the newer adult incontinence products that are out now.  that would allow her the freedom to do things without worrying about accidents.  they have some good products out now that work very well.  trust me, I know, I've used them!!

If she is still struggling and unable to cope, has the surgeon discussed a colostomy?  that would give her back the control of when she goes to the bathroom.  it would definitely give her back her quality of life.  

take care

[Empreinte]

Read your post on your Mom. You are a truly loving and caring daughter and I hear the pain and frustration in your post.  Why? Been there - done that, still doing it.  My condition is not the same as your Mom's is but there are cominalities. My Intestines are involved greatly, my joints beyond belief, eye difficulties, walking problems now, and a huge pain issue that never seems to quit not matter what I try. I do know your concerns but I have to ask has your Mom been treated only in the area that you are living?  Try the Mayo Clinic or The Cleveland Clinic.  You can call them, write them, whatever it takes - do it.  As far as the 'fear' of leaving the house - Others may not understand this, as they did not or do not with me - but it is a true factor in what she is going through. This is a very humiliating situation and your mind is constantly thinking -
I want to go, I want to do this, that or the other - even to the point of just going to Target - But the fear is there and this is completely understandable.  Trying the - 'Oh, so what if an accident occurs - or who cares what others think' - does not work and most likely will not. See what you can do to bring a Therapist to the home, or a Minister - who cares what you tell them!  Get her to talk about her fears and her hurts - as this is a devestating situation and she has been through a lot.  It helps immensely to talk to people who ARE NOT related to you because usually one feels so bad for their condition and problems and they feel that they are ruining everyone's life around them, plus being a burden.  No matter how many times one tells a patient this - trust me - they may not their head but not their heart.  It hurts so badly to be so terribly ill.  It hurts physically and emotionally.  
I recommend Depends - Absorb-Loc Protection and it says on the package Super Plus Absorbency.  You will have to measure her as they come in different sizes  and the package also says 'fits like your own underware' - They do and they are great.  1-800-558-6423 is their number if you have any questions.  Also, Huggies wipes - Excellant product, PLUS flushable - and also baby powder.  Sprinkle, sprinkle, sprinkle.  It helps, as well.  All of these can be purchased at Walmart - Kmart etc.... I'm in the same boat as your Mom and scared to leave the house, too.  But I'm working on it.  For me, this has been going on for years but has rapidly progressed in the last year.  Only one Doctor has empathy to my situation and I am grateful for that. I was just a vibrant person and out going and always on the run until I became ill.  IT IS very depressing to have to realize what it is you are dealing with and how much it is taking away from you -little by little - to the point where you want to just say the hell with it all.  I won't do that.  I am still 'swinging' and intend to work on all my numerous health and mental health issues - No mental health problems before but there sure are now.  I try very hard to deal with the depression this brings on.  I was never one, EVER, to be depressed.  I was ALWAYS the caretaker - and I do not like having to be on the receiving end. It wears people out, that I know, and it makes you feel even worse for doing so.  I take Meds for that and it seems to help unless I am in, as I describe it, inhumane pain.  I am not the same as I used to be but I AM trying to get some of that back.  Trying is the operative word.  Does your Mom have anyone to talk to besides family members?  That can be a tough one, too.  Again, embarrassing and too tough to drag the family into - this is how a patient thinks.  If she doesn't have anyone - or no one on line she can always E me and the two of us can gab away and sometimes that helps. ALOT!  Best to you all~  ***@****
Empreinte~ Again, YOU are a great Daughter and a very decent person to care so much for your Mom.  You do know that there are a lot of people in this world you are not like you nor I. Be proud of that no matter what the situation is or becomes.

[nickodemus]

to bad about your grandmother i realy mean it.i am just fxxken mad.we have billions to spend on a war which has no real ground,but we dont have enough money to do research in the medical field if it wasnt for the technology such as ctscans mri and many others,the medical field would still be in the ancient world,lets face it people we still are not in the time when these aflictions,have been cured look at cancer so many years of research and still people die from it what a joke where did the money go for reasearch,in someones pocket i bet.