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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
SEVERE PAIN AFTER COLON SURGERY
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
SEVERE PAIN AFTER COLON SURGERY
by KIDS STUFF, Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
MY MOTHER 76 GREAT HEALTH BEFORE SURGERY HAD DIVERTICULITIS HAD 12" OF HER COLON REMOVED 3 MONTHS AGO. SHE WAS IN ICU FOR 5 DAYS WHICH WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE BECAUSE THEY HAD HER ON MOPHINE.
COMING HOME AFTER 10 DAYS IN HOSPITAL SHE WAS HAVING STOMACH PAIN. NOW AFTER 3 MONTHS SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE PAIN. I HAVE TAKEN HER TO A GASTROENTERLOGY SPECIALIST IN MEMPHIS. TN. HE HAS DONE CAT SCANS, SCOPE, BLOOD WORK, X-RAYS, AND NOW HAS HER SET FOR A MRI ANGLEGRAM AND SAID HE DOES NOT KNOW WHY SHE IS IN PAIN. SHE HAS LOWER STOMACH PAIN AT TIMES AND OTHERS TIMES HAS UPPER PAIN. HE DID FIND A HYNER HERNIA BUT SAID AT HER AGE THAT IS NORMAL. SHE HAD NEVER TAKEN PAIN MEDICINE BEFORE BUT NOW TAKES DARVACET AND A HYDORCO PAIN MEDICINE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY.
SHE IS VERY INDEPENDENT LIVES ALONE STILL DRIVES ARE AT LEAST SHE DID BEFORE THE SURGERY. WE ARE AT A LOST AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT. BEFORE SURGERY SHE WEIGHTED 102 AND LAST WEEK SHE WAS DOWN TO 82.5. SHE EATS JUST 3 OR 4 BITS AND SAYS SHE IS FULL SHE DOES EAT ABOUT EVERY 2 HOURS.
BEFORE I TOOK HER TO MEMPHIS I DID TAKE HER BACK TO THE DOCTOR WHO DID THE SURGERY IN CLARKSDALE, MS. HE DID A X-RAY WITH THE BALOON(FORGOT THE NAME) VERY PAINFUL. HE SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE FROM THE SURGERY AND TOLD HER TO GO HOME AND EAT ANYTHING AND THAT IT WAS TAKING HER LONGER TO HEAL BEACUSE OF HER AGE. THAT WOULD BE TRUE EXCEPT FOR THE PAIN AND NO SHE CAN NOT EAT ANYTHING SHE EATS SOFT FOODS AND NO SPICE AT ALL.
ANY SUGGESTIONS, WE ARE AT A LOSS. SHE LIVES IN A SMALL TOWN IN AR. AND I LIVE IN AL. I SPENT MANY HOURS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WANT HER TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN SHE HAS ALL THESE TEST AND MEMPHIS IS THE CLOSEST LARGE CITY TO HER.
PLEASE ADVISE US OR GIVE US YOUR OPIONION.
THANKS
COMING HOME AFTER 10 DAYS IN HOSPITAL SHE WAS HAVING STOMACH PAIN. NOW AFTER 3 MONTHS SHE CONTINUES TO HAVE PAIN. I HAVE TAKEN HER TO A GASTROENTERLOGY SPECIALIST IN MEMPHIS. TN. HE HAS DONE CAT SCANS, SCOPE, BLOOD WORK, X-RAYS, AND NOW HAS HER SET FOR A MRI ANGLEGRAM AND SAID HE DOES NOT KNOW WHY SHE IS IN PAIN. SHE HAS LOWER STOMACH PAIN AT TIMES AND OTHERS TIMES HAS UPPER PAIN. HE DID FIND A HYNER HERNIA BUT SAID AT HER AGE THAT IS NORMAL. SHE HAD NEVER TAKEN PAIN MEDICINE BEFORE BUT NOW TAKES DARVACET AND A HYDORCO PAIN MEDICINE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE DAY.
SHE IS VERY INDEPENDENT LIVES ALONE STILL DRIVES ARE AT LEAST SHE DID BEFORE THE SURGERY. WE ARE AT A LOST AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT. BEFORE SURGERY SHE WEIGHTED 102 AND LAST WEEK SHE WAS DOWN TO 82.5. SHE EATS JUST 3 OR 4 BITS AND SAYS SHE IS FULL SHE DOES EAT ABOUT EVERY 2 HOURS.
BEFORE I TOOK HER TO MEMPHIS I DID TAKE HER BACK TO THE DOCTOR WHO DID THE SURGERY IN CLARKSDALE, MS. HE DID A X-RAY WITH THE BALOON(FORGOT THE NAME) VERY PAINFUL. HE SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE FROM THE SURGERY AND TOLD HER TO GO HOME AND EAT ANYTHING AND THAT IT WAS TAKING HER LONGER TO HEAL BEACUSE OF HER AGE. THAT WOULD BE TRUE EXCEPT FOR THE PAIN AND NO SHE CAN NOT EAT ANYTHING SHE EATS SOFT FOODS AND NO SPICE AT ALL.
ANY SUGGESTIONS, WE ARE AT A LOSS. SHE LIVES IN A SMALL TOWN IN AR. AND I LIVE IN AL. I SPENT MANY HOURS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I WANT HER TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WHEN SHE HAS ALL THESE TEST AND MEMPHIS IS THE CLOSEST LARGE CITY TO HER.
PLEASE ADVISE US OR GIVE US YOUR OPIONION.
THANKS
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 23, 2004 12:00AM
, Jan 23, 2004 12:00AM
The CT scan and scope (I presume an upper endoscopy) would rule out more of the severe causes, such as pancreas, ulcers, or inflammation of the upper GI tract.
I would consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for reflux. This is the most comprehensive test for this - and is normally performed at larger academic medical centers. This may have already been done, but blood tests for H Pylori (a bacteria associated with ulcers and inflammation) should also be considered. Another suggest would be an ultrasound to evaluate the gall bladder, or a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation to evaluate gall bladder function.
If the tests are not revealing, a second gastroenterological opinion is suggested.
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.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I would consider a 24-hr pH study to evaluate for reflux. This is the most comprehensive test for this - and is normally performed at larger academic medical centers. This may have already been done, but blood tests for H Pylori (a bacteria associated with ulcers and inflammation) should also be considered. Another suggest would be an ultrasound to evaluate the gall bladder, or a HIDA scan with CCK stimulation to evaluate gall bladder function.
If the tests are not revealing, a second gastroenterological opinion is suggested.
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.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
I have tried it for several months for colon issues and it actually was working- I was faithfully taking it 3 x's a day-but I got busy, etc. so now I'm back in pain w/ colitis.
it is a natural juice so there are no side effects-it is supposed to heal, etc better then aloe- look around on the web- type in "Tahitian noni juice"
you never know...
http://www.nonijuice.us/
good luck
I work with seniors and a few have started the noni- one lady has had chronic stomach pain for years- she said after she drank the noni for about a week it kicked in- her pain is gone! So-who knows- maybe it works- It helped me for a while but then it stopped- so not sure if it helps short term or long term...
good luck
He is still having trouble with his bowels. He still goes to the bathroom about 18 times a day. If not more.
What more can be done for him? He does not want to put the bag back on.