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.

[RxGirl95]

Thank you for the condolences!  
Sue:  I was taking ten tablets daily of the Tums, the maximum dose allowed on the bottle!  I work in a pharmacy and know that the "average" person can probably take a few more than that; I guess I choose not to be average! LOL

P.S.  I left out an important part of my story above... I spent four days in the ICU because the infection also got into my blood stream.  I had a high fever and was basically packed in ice for the first couple of days in ICU; until the antibiotics had a chance to start working!

It's a very eye-opening experience; and I wish all of you the best on your road to recovery.  It's obviously a long journey, but a journey that we are not walking alone.  Someone has been through it before us and someone will go through it after us!

This forum is more therapeutic than the psychologist I am paying good money to, to talk about my recent health issues!

[kitnkate]

I am so sorry to hear about all that you went through Rx girl! I too was sent home the first night of my obstruction and told it was going to be fine. I did nearly die before I got back the next day and spent 4 days on the ng tube before surgery and then had another surgery 4 months later to do a sigmoid resection and adhesion removal! I take tums all of the time. I sure hope that I am able to break it down. How do you know if it does not? Sue, I was reading some of your older posts about pain and I am so glad I did because you are one of the few that post on sigmoid resections. I am now 7 weeks out and have terrible lt sided cramps some days. They are stabbing about every few minutes and nothing relieves them. Today I had to lie down and just wait until I had a bm. My dr nurse just said to hang in there! I really hate this pain. Rx girl, please keep posting. These people are great, I know what you mean about finding someone who understands.Sue and across are great as well as everyone else. Thanks

[Sue357]

Hi.  Yes, I am doing much better but still have some residual pain, depending on what I eat or do.  7 weeks is not a lot of time, believe me.  After 6 months, I am just now starting to feel alittle "normal", so be patient.  Kit, have they given you any meds for pain?  I am sort of surprised at the nurse's response but after the nightmare of this last year, nothing about the medical field surprises me any more.  My GI is an idiot but I love my surgeon. When it is time for a colonoscopy, he has offered to do it as he likes to " look at his own work".  Take care everyone.  I am off on vacation, tomorrow, until the 10th.  If I get near a computer, I will be checking posts...

[barneypenny]

i just stumbled on this site and i am very grateful.  my story is a bit different.  i had mesh inserted for an umbilical hernia.  the mesh became attached to my large intestine and i tore a hole in my intestine while exercising.  my initial surgeon misdiagnosed me with an infected mesh and tried to remove it without proper bowel prep.  Six surgeries later, i had 2 feet of intestines removed and have been diagnosed with Crohn's, despite no symptoms and clear biopsies on all surgeries.  i have noticed that it has taken a long time for my system to reset and adapt to the "shorter runway"  if i eat fried or fast food i will have diarrhea  it is very frustrating and i understand everyone's frustration.  i will make sure i have my day in court, but wanted to know how others were handling this as my dr's don't say much

[kitnkate]

Welcome barneypenny,
Thank you for your story! I was very interested to hear about your infection! What a mess for you with 6 surgeries! I have had 3. If you read a lot of the posts you will find that most if not all of use have to find a bathroom right after eating to go or even to pass gas! I have had about 2/3rds of my colon removed in two different places plus adhesions from the small bowel due to complications from the other surgeries. This board is great for information and Sue357, kimwilly and all of the people show great support. I know that dr says you can eat anything. I have found however to eat low fat diet or not it daily helps. How many times a day do you go? Have you had open surgery or key hole? Do you still run? I used to run a lot, but both times I had surgery it was for twisted bowels after I ran!
Take care and stick around!
Sue, if you check in hope your vacation is going great! Where are you going? I am so happy for you:) Thanks for all of the good advice and listening to me.

[kimwilly]

Just when I thought things were going well, I had another bowel obstruction yesterday.  That familiar horrific pain I had so many times before my surgery was back and I had to live through it because I will not go back to the hospital.  It started Sunday night and I am still feeling the ends of it. I've lost track with all the posts.  How many of you had to go through this more than once?  I will not go back.  I'll have to be laying on the floor and it will have to be without my knowledge before I have this surgery again.  
I think I did too much over the past weekend and lifted grandchilren too often.
Kim