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.

[Clogut]

Hi
I just found this site.  I had 2 feet (61 cm) of my small bowel removed at the end of June after emergency surgery for a complete bowel obstruction.  I have gone from having constant diarrhea to being completely constipated (no happy medium here!). I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem for such a long time after surgery; it's been 4 months for me.  I am also currently on iron infusions.  Any input/advice would be welcomed.

[earlytina65]

i cant give answer yet. asi am 9 weeks out andi have  severe pain in belly button and sides. cant even touch ,clothes hurt, i had  actually popped my staples day after surgery, i was released 2 days after surgery. had to go back after 5th day be reglued. this pain is awful and my docs. dont givepain pills. when will this stop. andpain in rectum?

[specialmom]

oh my, sounds dreadful!  They are afraid to give pain pills these days but I can't imagine going through what you have gone through and not have any!  What did THEY describe recovery like before surgery?  This sounds different than I'd have expected!

[earlytina65]

They gave meds. Hydrocodone.for a week after surgery. Then 10 more pills.when I busted open. The pain I still have now is so bad.crazy.after I eat something the pain comes on very strong.and I have bad indigestion.now does not matter what I eat.

[Bonnie_needs_a_miracle]

Hey. I have the same problems. I take lots of supplements and probiotics. One I didn’t hear you mention that I have found helpful is L-glutamine- I take it on an empty stomach in the mornings and at night.  I have also been meditating of some Scriptures on healing that I found on the web. To find them, you can google “Dr Z AND healing Scriptures “.

[Italkr2]

I'm sorry that you are also suffering with diarrhea.  I had a bowel resection 2 1/2 years ago and still have diarrhea problems.  Much like you do.  I seldom go out to eat anymore and don't go anywhere without first taking Imodium.  Two doctors told me to take Imodium to control the problem and it works, but takes about an hour before it kicks in.  Imodium is not habit forming and you do not become intolerant to it, so it can be taken for life if necessary. I tried fiber drinks and many things, but nothing seems to help.  Also, I do not have a gall bladder which makes it worse.  I also eat Dannon's yogurt daily which seems to help a little.  I hope this might help you also.

[Bonnie_needs_a_miracle]

Thanks for sharing. God is revealing Himself to me as Healer. If you would like healing Scriptures, email me ***@****

[Bonnie_needs_a_miracle]

Since my email didn’t show up, you can google “Dr Z AND healing Scriptures “.

[Bonnie_needs_a_miracle]

It's been nice to read your stories. I see that it's been years since there's been much said...so I hope we can reconnect and see how each other is doing.

I had my last colon surgery September of 2011. When I went back to my doctor because of bathroom problems, he pretty much told me to deal with it.

A little of my history...In 2009, I was 27 and diagnosed with cervical cancer. Though I had went to my paps, it had gone undetected until my body began to breakdown and while the gynologist sought answers, she saw the tumor with her naked eye! (Yes, that was a weird experience.)

The oncologist at MD Anderson gave me one year to live without treatments and sent me back to Ochsner in New Orleans (where I was living). The prescribed treatment was chemo and radiation. I was devastated because radiation was going to send my 27 year old body through menopause which ment no more children (thankfully God had blessed me with one in 2002). After treatments, the tumor was still there so they prescribed internal radiation - (I think that's what really messed me up.) Then, I had a radical hysterectomy. Everyone was happy the cancer was gone and I was still grieved at the loss of my dreams of birthing more children. (God did end up speaking to me about that and has used that loss and turned it into love for all children).

Free of cancer...yet I had a couple of bathroom accidents over the next couple of months. I whet back to the doctor and they ran all kinds of crazy tests. They found where my colon was restricted (I believe from the internal radiation). Oh, if I could do it over again.... I would never agreed to that first sigmoid resection....

I had a sigmoid resection...they said it once they got in their they saw my colon was VERY radiated which made it hard to work with... After going home, turns out I had a leak...I had an emergency surgery that landed me in the ICU - at that time I got my first ileostomy... After that, I had several more colon surgeries.

I got my first full time job in August 2011 right out of grad school (yes, two years of treatments and surgeries while I was in grad school - God carried me). My last surgery was September 2011. After thus last surgery....my bathroom problems were TERRIBLE!!! After reading many of your testimonies, y'all know what I mean (so I won't go into all that).

After a fun giving with girlfriends at a Mexican restaurant OUT OF TOWN, I had a terrible night with my stomach...absolutely terrible. I couldn't imagine living like these...especially 10, 20 years from now... I began to pray for healing and search for natural alternatives (Remember, my doctor pretty much just told me to deal with it and I recently went back to a GI specialists and they pretty much told me the only alternative would be a permanent ostomy...which is not an option right now.)

I think my life has improved some...I take a natural supplement that I get from a natural path, I take lots of Young Living Essential Oils..., yet I still have a ways to go.

My current symptoms are chronic diarrhea, gas, and a couple of days out of the month constipation. The diarrhea is terrible. The main pain I feel is my skin getting raw, at times very sharp pain in my rectum, and hemorrhoids.

I'm going to try to add some enzymes, and probiotics, and Ningxia Red. I may try to eliminate complex carbohydrates...I read that on here...I'm not sure about that. I really don't know anything that I can eat that won't give me problems.

I praying for wisdom, healing, and solutions. It's been over five years...and I still suffering... If you have ANYTHING that has worked for you, PLEASE SHARE. Thank you!

[Italkr2]

I'm new to this forum.  My reply to you is from Italkr2.  I hope you see it.  I had a bowel resection due to diverticulitis and an inverted polyp.  It's been 2 1/2 years and I still have diarrhea several times a day or more. As you will read in my comment I take Imodium to go out of the house to do anything.  It's not habit forming and you don't become intolerant to it.  It does take awhile to kick in, so I have to time when to take it.  Two doctors told me to take it.  Just recently my GI doctor told me to take a dose first thing in the morning and see how that works.  I have not tried that yet because I take 6 other meds that it might interfere with.  I also eat Dannon's Yogurt daily and that seems to help with the terrible smell of the diarrhea.  Like you what I eat doesn't seem to matter much.  I do eat a lot of white bread products and a lot of cheese and that seems to help.  Also,  I have no gall bladder and that makes it worse.

I hope maybe some of this will help you.   You are not alone.  There are many of us out here having the same problem.  Wishing you better days.

[KarenD62]

I have same problems , I has colon cancer three years ago.surgery, and chemo and ation. my balls are very overactive I lost a lot of intestines when they took my Tumor out. does not matter what I eat I still always have negative results  sometimes I poop all night sometimes all day sometimes both. I have tried everything I can think of and doctors prescriptions etc etc. I am so tired of dealing with it I have no life.

[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!  

[LeslieFH]

Hi,
After 7 bouts of Diverticulitis I had elective surgery on Jan. 25, 2016.  Let me just say that I have Grave's Disease and Micro Colitis, and have managed very well for 7 years.  I started living the Paleo Diet way and had my Grave's in  remission.  My colitis was manageable for me.....3-5 times in the morning.  I was a very active 48 yr. old mom.  I had an active social calendar, with rarely any problems.

After hearing from some friends of successful surgeries, I made the choice to have the resection of my lower sigmond colon.  

I am feeling like I made the biggest mistake of my life!!!  My right side feels tight all the time, becoming really unbearable by night.  MY bm's are frequent and small....always feeling like I need to finish.  I am not taking any pain medications and have not in 12 days.  

I am eating : mashed potatoes, squash - no skins, jello, pudding, almond milk.  I am bloated and in pain by end of day.  

Any advice?  

[carmichaelstone]

Same. I go 10 to 15 hrs. a day for a 40 plus hr. work week for 9 years, to be able to work a full time job. The worst foods, bad carbs, hold be together a little better but now my body stores fat. I've gained 50 pounds. My life is shattered. I cannot socialize any more. Why can't they come up with a drug to stop this. Nothing has worked. Ruined my life.

[carmichaelstone]

Same. I go 10 to 15 hrs. a day for a 40 plus hr. work week for 9 years, to be able to work a full time job. The worst foods, bad carbs, hold be together a little better but now my body stores fat. I've gained 50 pounds. My life is shattered. I cannot socialize any more. Why can't they come up with a drug to stop this. Nothing has worked. Ruined my life.

[tappler]

By tappler | 1 minute

0 Comments  


Wait_arrows  Report
















..





.





I had a small bowel resection 18 months ago and have been very constipated since. I use Movical every day.
Before my operation, I used to eat oats with whole linseeds every morning.  I am afraid to eat the whole linseeds now. Has anyone else eaten normally again and eaten linseeds?  The powdered linseeds seems to make me more constipated now (not sure why).  Also, can I eat potato skins (jackets) again and tomato skins etc.  I wasn't given much advice on diet. It would be nice to be able to not use the Movical every day.
Thanks

[tappler]

Hi, I had 40 cm small bowel removed 20 months ago and have been constipated since. I have to take Movical every day, this keeps things moving.

[Bekkieb]

Hi everyone I hope this board is still being used by people. I've just recently had a quarter of my colon removed (I'm 23). It's only been 2 weeks post surgery but I'm kind of freaking out. I have bowel movements in the morning (6-7 times) afternoon (not as much because I try not to eat) and evening (all the time.) the gas is horrendous and explosive.. I'm very embarrassed :( but I'm supposed to be back at work in about 4 weeks. Is there anything you guys can fill me in on? I have metimucil but I'm scared to use it because I don't want to poop more :'( please help me

[Buddhatummy]

I just logged onto this site for the first time today. Thank you all for the advice and openness.  I had 14 inches of my Colon removed 5 months ago.
My problems seem different  than others in that  I am always tired and always hungry. Everyone seems to lose weight but i just keep gaining. I am always nauseous and pick gluten free junk food carbs, muffins, cookies, pretzels. I cant seem to digest  fruits or veggies. I wish I had diarrhea bc I have incomplete soft bowel movements that won't completely pass. I am 43, have. Celiac and elected to have sugery bc of rectal prolapse. My dr. Said it would be "a piece of cake." Maybe for him...not for me. I chose to do it now than attempt mesh ties that would be very likely to result in surgery at an age where  recovery would be even harder.  I was told not to eat fiber which was all new to me. I am (or was) very fit and active and a healthy eater. Please help.I am desperate. I gained 12 lbs am tired bloated gassy, abdominal pain and rectal pain and pressure. I can't say it was better having half my intestines outside my body, but this is  close to being worse. I am at my wits end. I take dulcolax and a laxative to try to cause diarrhea so the bm's don't just break off mid poop.  Where do I get these enzymes, what are they called and what's that other product some people mentioned?
Sorry so LONG.
I am miserable and will try the no complex carb diet books.  Thanks for ANY responsez.

[Beagagirl]

happy to have found this site. I was wondering if I was going to always look pregnant and have my waist back. A year is a long time, especially at my age. I am lucky that I have had the pain to already subside, three months out. Over doing definitely sets you back and I notice I bloat more as well. I was constantly constipated before but no longer have that problem. I do have to watch what I eat, no leafy vegetables, etc. I admit that I am vain and the huge stomach is killing me. I walk daily but do not feel I can begin a work out plan again just yet. The doc said I had a lot going on in there and that I need to be patient. I am 66 years old and don't have a lot of years left to be patient, I have always worked out and kept myself in decent physical condition, I lived like I was 46 instead of 66. This has definitely put me in my place! Sad to have been so dedicated to staying fit and become aged overnight with a big belly and tremendous gas if I don't watch carefully what I eat! Sorry that some of you have so much pain, I am fortunate that mine is not so bad. Still some pain but not so much to have to take pain pills. I walk a lot though and I do it daily, morning and night, no matter the weather. Maybe that has helped. Thank you all for sharing.

[Diputs19]

Just returned two days ago from the hospital, after having two feet of my colon removed.  Was in excrutiating pain before I left there, and then felt almost "human" yesterday.  Unfortunately, I had company and overdid it rather than rest, so today I am paying the consequences.  Today, I seem to feel worse, even though I have not done much and it's way too hot outside to consider walking, as instructed by my surgeon.  Monitoring my temperature to make sure it doesn't spike for next few days so I won't need an emergency colonoscopy (he said it was possible, which scared the heck out of me).  Living on my own with no help is going to be a challenge for the next few weeks -- especially if I drop something!
I read many of the posts on this blog and am very impressed with the bravery of each and every one of you.  This was my fourth abdominal surgery, the first for this, though.  I only pray for the strength that I've seen here.  I'm so glad I found this website, and will continue to read it for the inspiration.  Thanks, everyone, and I'll pray for each of you a speedy recovery!

[whiskers36]

I'm new at this, whiskers36 is my name. Do you have any insight for some who has suffered since 1994?

[Krianna]

I am almost 8weeks post small bowel re-section (emergency) in which a single adhesion form a laparoscopic tubal ligation (20 years ago) had created a closed loop obstruction (ischemia - dead bowel).  Surgeon removed 18".  After the first week post discharge from hospital developed a Seroma at incision site which took weeks to get fully drained and regranulated.  Had normal bowel movements for a few weeks, but have had diarrhea ever since.  Was told to each much more soluble fiber (cooked, not raw).  That seemed to help somewhat although it's hard to force it down.  Am concerned about SIBO.  Does anyone have experience with that?  From reading the threads it seems that I am in early recovery from major surgery and may be expecting too much too soon,   I can relate to those who have sheer terror of another bowel obstruction.  I found a very interesting website, and though my surgeon only say the one adhesion, now that I've been fully opened up, who knows if that created more.  The site is called www.clearpassage.com.  I am considering treatment just in case.  I don't think I could survive another bowel obstruction.  The woman who created this method of clearing adhesions non surgically has been through it all.  I am so grateful that she and her husband have developed a method to save people from such agony (Wurn technique).  They are training others and clinics have opened and are opening all over the U.S.  (and in England).  I urge everyone in this forum to study their site.  Even if the original abdominal surgery wasn't due to adhesions, they can form after ANY abdominal surgery.  just4thisnow, I joined this community after reading your post as you are wondering how to tell if adhesions were the culprit.  I want to share this info and also heal my digestive system.  Has anyone been put on probiotics?  Am wondering if it's too early to be on them as they seem to cause me more diarrhea, or is it something I just have to stay on until they have a chance to do their job?  Thanks in advance for any input and wish all of you well.  This has been quite an eye opener that I never knew anything about until now

[helenst8]

Hi all I've been reading all your posts and I'm glad to see I'm not going mad. I had an emergency resection 2 years august. They took out just over half a metre some small and some large intestine. Due to adhesions caused by previous surgery but it had twisted cutting off the blood supply. I was in hospital for 3 days before being rushed to theatre as I was then septic. I was on a ventilator for just over a week lost 2 stone in weight and was in hospital for 5 weeks. Had numerous blood transfusions and pneumonia and an infection as well just to top it all off. Life still isn't back to normal even now 2 years later have an incisional hernia which the doctors won't touch as they don't want to take me back into theatre as they really lost me last time. Like everyone I have good days and really bad days still have diarrhoea and gas but I've come to the conclusion that it's not going to change so I might as well eat what I want but remember that I alone have to pay for the consequences of doing that. The only problem I have is my poor children my eldest was 11 when it happened and he has struggled with the fact he almost lost his mum and my youngest was 6 the hospital don't give any help to the children to understand what is happening. Good luck to everyone and maybe one day we all might be " normal "