Problems after bowel resection

[aross123]

This discussion is related to Problems after bowel resection.


In February 2006 I had an emergency bowel resection.  For no apparent reason, a large portion of my small intestine had twisted and the blood supply to my intestine had been cut off and died.  About 40% of my small intestine (ileum and ileocecal valve) had to be removed.  For the next 2-3 months I had horrible diarrhea after everything I ate.  Within one week I went from 135 lbs. to 115 lbs.  I followed a very low-fiber, low-fat, bland diet.  My surgeon told me that I would suffer from diarrhea for the rest of my life and would have to control it with medication.  My doctor told me that things would get better in time, it just takes awhile for the remaining intestine to adapt.  It took about 6 months for me to maintain a weight of 120 lbs.  (I am 5' 4").    

It's been almost 2 years now and I have problems every day with digestion.  I have diarrhea every morning that lasts sometimes until about noon (some days are worse than others), and the rest of the day I have digestive pain, cramps, sometimes bloating and gas from whatever I eat.  I have tried cutting out certain foods but there doesnt seem to be any rhyme or reason to what causes my discomfort.  I know I am now lactose intolerant and cannot break down fats because of my ileum being removed but sometimes even just a piece of toast will not sit well.  I've recently started taking digestive enzymes to help break down fat, carbs, proteins, milk sugar, and fiber.  The suggested use is 1 capsule before each meal but I take 2 with regular meals and 1 with snacks.  The enzymes have helped considerably with the digestive discomfort (bloating and gas) but I still have diarrhea which I dont expect to every go away.

I've spent the last 2 years trying to find information on life after a bowel resection but I havent had any luck.  I went to see a nutrionist through my medical provider but ended up teaching her a few things about malabsorption.  I get monthly B-12 injections, take a multi-vitam, calcium, magnesium, and probiotics daily, and drink about a gallon of water everyday.  I've had to go to the emergency room a few times for intravenous fluid due to dehydration.

I'm a stay-at-home mom of a very handsome 1 year old so I am always near the bathroom but on the days I am away from home I usually dont eat for fear that my tummy will act up.  Food is no longer a joy, it is a complete hassle.  Anyone out there with the same kind of problem?  I would love to get some advice on how to cope and what things that have helped you to suffer less.

[KarenD62]

Omg.finallyeffec is the first time I have read something that almost fits me to a T.I had colon cancer in 2014 it was found,but IT was a  couple of years before that. I did not have insurance so no one would help me. And then Obamacare Came Into effect ,by then I was Bleeding profusely out my rectum. I was diagnosed with colon cancer stage 2. I had chemotherapy around the clock and also radiation everyday. I had to wear a colostomy bag for 3 months and went through resection surgery and they removed approximately 12 inches of my intestines. I have chronic problems my bowels and cramps and constipation or diarrhea to the point but I cannot leave the house and I have to stay close to the bathROOM. I have little to no control and I use adult diapers a lot often. Not much of a life od I ied many medicines and homeopathic and get little to no relief. it is quite common for me to be up half the night running back and forth to the bathroom for 10-12 hours. and it's very painful after and during. No food specifically brings it on, no Rhyme or Reason. I do know what you're going through and I am constantly looking for answers. my gynecologist answer was to put me on Amitiza and that makes me go profusely until I am bleeding. He does not understand does not believe that I am pooping for that long period I tried to explain and I try he tells me to just go to bed and ignore it, if I was to do that I would make a terrible mess. sorry I have no helper answers I am looking for them myself..Karen

[Shilohtnn]

II take questran packets 1-2 packets daily. I had mine 2 years ago and was in a coma as I almost died. I developed septis from my small intestines after surgery it was punctured and no one knew until I became ill. Maybe look into this for your diarrhea. It has helped a lot of us...

[Mattsmomma]

I was feeling fine but I have FAP which had a high chance of causing colon cancer. They took out my colon and did the j-pouch and illeostomy for a few months. Before this procedure I also had a tumor removed in my abdomen that was entangled in my small intestines so 2-3 feet was removed from that as well. I was always having trouble after my colon removal. Since then I have narrowed it down fairly well to what's causing my problems almost a year ago. A lot of it is sulfites including wine, beer, modified food starches, corn starch, dextrose, corn syrup, grapes and grape extracts, artificial sweeteners, and other sulfite chemicals used in foods like breads. Even the medications I was on caused problems. I stopped taking lomotil but I have been on opium tincture for the last 4 months and that works ok. These things caused a bit of bleeding from my lower GI tract, anal stenosis, sometimes excruciating pain with bowel movements, more frequent bowel movements... I had been hospitalized so many times throughout the year I can't even count how many. All the advice the surgeon gave was bad - or even thinking like a reasonable person. - drink Gatorade, take lomotil and Imodium, probiotics, gas-x etc. most probiotics cause me bloating and the others contain the offending sulfite ingredients. I do have a problem with milk usually. But I can still drink coffee and not even go to the bathroom for 4-8 hours! No fake creamers though. Just half and half and sugar. Throw conventional wisdom out the window and keep a food diary. My symptoms would start usually 2 hours after eating the offending food. I have a 2 year old (and 8 year old) now - he was only 3 months old with my first surgery. So I feel for anyone having to go through this kind of pain and suffering, especially with little kids at home.

[Amber2016]

I am so glad to have found this group,thank God I am not the only one to wonder and worry about the bathroom trips,gas issues and bloating etc.I am 9 weeks into recovery from a sm.bowel resection they took almost 3 feet out,I was an emergancy surgery done immediately due to a white blood cell count of over 30,000 from a long time hernia that turned into dead bowel and an aneurysm that came from this.the aneurysm exploded and we'll, I was in so much pain,they put me in a medical coma for 2 days till they could find a hospital equipped to do the operation.I don't have any memory of the first 2 weeks from the moment I was rushed to the er till the 10 day or so after that.I had no Idea of what was done or how it would affect my life after,everything I have learned has been by reading on the pc.and going to the emergancy dep.4 weeks after the surgery with bleeding.salads were my favorite food now I can not eat them.I am not digesting any of my veggies and let me tell ya it's shocking how much a tiny piece of lettuce can hurt when not digested...I find I have to force myself to eat cause the pain is so much..I have been seeing alot on what they call short bowel syndrome and wonder if anyone has any info on this they can share. To all of you going threw the same thing,I hope things get better for you soon.

[Everlpaso]

I had an Emergency Bowel Resection in 2009 and have had all the problems you described.  I really appreciate you taking the time to post your experience.  Thank You!

[scottc85]

Hello I am sorry to hear about what you are dealing with. I to have had exactly the same issues you are encountering and from 12 years to date since I have had 3 feet of my intestines removed, I have had severe chronic pain and diarrhea. I  have seen many doctors and had many test over this (which pretty much all appear fine) and they either claim I shouldn't be having the pain or their is nothing that they can see causing it or what most say is it is just simple a complication from the surgery and their is not much can be done other than to manage it with proper nutrition and pain meds. It has unfortunately been a miserable existence since having these issues. The only thing I have found to help with the pain is prescription pain meds and even then my doctors wont give enough to fully help with the pain, but this has been the only thing I have found to help and give me a somewhat halfway normal life. Hope this helps you, sorry I don't have more info for you, but maybe pain meds will help you too! And at least know you are not alone!