bowel reconstructions/ problems and ovarian cancer

[melenzbee83]

Hi,
I recently underwent a 6 hour debulking surgery which also included a bowel reconstruction. I have started chemo and have had 3 cycles since my surgery (8 weeks ago). My main concern at the moment is the constant bowel pain im getting and i believe it is more from the surgery and removal of tumour than the chemo. Is there anything i can do to assist the nerves in rejoining as my doctor says it will take up to 6 months to heal, which i can not see myself getting through, plus i'm worried it will affect my chemo treatments as i nearly didnt make the 3 hour trip to my last one.

I currently take slippery elm, prunes, pear juice, high fibre diet but was wondering if anyone knew of medication that assists with bowels healing from reconstructions? I get a constant and very uncomfortable convulsing that lasts for hours after i go to the toilet and keeps me up most nights?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ireneo]

Certain high fiber foods do seem to cause more discomfort as they pass through. I've learned by trial and error. I agree with onthemendmomma - the senna works very well. Just don't overdo it though. That's what they gave me after my ovary surgery. It just helped blow things out without all the cramps and gas. Whee!

[justscore]

I have nothing to offer but my hopes that you find relief soon............

Heidi

[onthemendmomma]

I take miralax colace and senna daily in differing amounts depending on how my symptoms are but I still cant get used to the pain levels which the docs say are just "par for the course" ...then of course when you take the pain killers to take the edge off that also effects the "flow of things" as cheryl says. On the more natural end coconut water is helpful as is cod liver oil...A hot water bottle is reeeally nice too.....feel better

christina

I think protien in general is indicated for healing but I'd stay away from dairy as it tends to weigh things down in your intestines...

[cheryljacks]

Whwn I had surgery 6 weeks ago to remove a tumor in omentum they did poke around and my bowels shut down for a week.It was very uncomfortable and the dr said that I need to do a low fiber diet and eat small frequent meals.Well I never listen and I suffered a great deal.The softer the stool the better for the flow of things.Use a stool softener and drink plenty of liqids.

[Ramsay14]

Just a thought, and I don't know if this will help, but I don't think it will hurt either.  You write that you are on a high fiber diet.  Maybe a low fiber diet + a stool softener would help for right now so that you would have a less bulky bowel movement.  Maybe that would cause less pain.  Then there's the problem of constipation due to a low fiber diet, but that is easily remedied with a gentle laxative.  It's nearly Monday where you live so maybe you could run the idea by your M.D. tomorrow.