Bowel movements after each time I eat

[Peggy613]

I recently had a bowel resection for a cancerous polyp.  I have had 16 chemo treatments since October, 2007.
For the past 5 or 6 weeks I have had a soft stool after every time I eat.   I eat only small amounts every 2 or 3 hours.  I also have hemorroids which have become painfully irritated.  I continue to take pain medication which helps very little. I will be scheduling an appointment with a colon specialists after my PET scan report this Thursday.  Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I agree with the PET scan to evaluate for any tumor recurrence.

Sending the stool off for analysis and culture can exclude infection or malabsorption.  Blood tests can also be done to evaluate for celiac disease.

The hemorrhoids can be evaluated by a surgeon to see if removal is feasible.

An endoscopy can also be considered if the tests are non-revealing.

These options should be discussed with your GI physician.

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

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[Morecambe]

Obviously the operation to remove the cancerous polyp was an essential (eventually life-saving???) operation and I guess that whatever follows from that must be regarded as "nuisance left-overs" - or whatever.

I underwent a total colectomy four years ago and the initial experiences of toilet visits were moderated over time.

I described this in a recent posting on the "non-doctor/medical support" GE forum in answer to a posting by "sufferpostopt" on 2 May entitled "post opt colectomy....".

May I invite you to read this posting and consider whether it might help you.  Of course do revert with any further questions.

In your case I suppose that my questions to your surgeon would be:-

- are you sure that everything cancerous has been removed?
- can further polyps occur without pre-warning
- when should I next have a check-up precautionary follow up colonoscopy and at what intervals thereafter?
- suggestions for more solidly formed stools
- can have the haemhorroids surgically treated to eliminate them
- how to revert to more normal eating/diet/mealtime intervals etc.


Good luck
Morecambe

[Peggy613]

Thanks,  I am going to review your May 2 entry.   My PET scan was rather positive..no new growths,  less activity in the lymph nodes and no other areas affected.   I will be going to a surgeron to see about removal of the hemmoriads.