Aa
Problems after bowel resection
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.
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.
Hello all,
This is my first time posting and I am glad to see a forum like this where others are talking about what experiences they have had following colon surgery. I had a partial colonoscopy done in the hospital due to severe pain in the abdomen on Dec 19,2006. The scope revealed a really bad infection due to diverticultis and a colon resection was recommended. During the resection the surgeon noted an ugly looking polyp and removed it. It turned out to be cancerous, but he got it all and I did not have to have radiation or any other treatments for cancer.
I have had severe chronic neuropathic abdominal pain ever since. I have had a different problem from most I have read because my problem along with the pain is constipation and I have to take a laxitive at least once a week.
I have a constantly bloated stomach sometimes stretching to 10 times my normal waist size. The muscles in my stomach are so sore all the time it's hard to deal with. I have a problem with sitting and standing for more than 3-4 hours at a time. I have to lay down with a large ice pack to calm the muscles down.
I also have almost daily flare-ups as I call them. This is when I feel like I am being stabbed over and over again, sometimes just in one area and other times all over the abdomen.Other times it feels like I am being prodded with a cattle prod in different areas. And then, at times it feels like my abdomen is an electrical grid and jolts of electricity are sent to differen grids all over the stomach. Afterwards it feels as if I have been gutted and my stomach is one large open wound.
I started going to see my gastro about a month after surgery and told him I didn't think I was getting any better after the surgery. I was told it was just taking a little longer for me to heal. After 5 months with no improvemen I was referred to a Pain Management Clinic. I have tried about every drug available for nerve pain and nothing has helped to date. I even took Topamax which was supposed to cause me to loose up to 40 pounds and I gained 20 lbs.
I wear a 25 mcg fentanyl pain patch and try not to but some days have to take Lortab once or twice a day. I had migrains starting after the surgery but is controlled by Depakote.
I just had my 2 year anniversary with the pain and constipation and the doctors have no idea what to do at this stage. I have had 5 nerve blocks to the celia plexus to no avail. Does anyone else have similar symptoms or any suggestions?
This is my first time posting and I am glad to see a forum like this where others are talking about what experiences they have had following colon surgery. I had a partial colonoscopy done in the hospital due to severe pain in the abdomen on Dec 19,2006. The scope revealed a really bad infection due to diverticultis and a colon resection was recommended. During the resection the surgeon noted an ugly looking polyp and removed it. It turned out to be cancerous, but he got it all and I did not have to have radiation or any other treatments for cancer.
I have had severe chronic neuropathic abdominal pain ever since. I have had a different problem from most I have read because my problem along with the pain is constipation and I have to take a laxitive at least once a week.
I have a constantly bloated stomach sometimes stretching to 10 times my normal waist size. The muscles in my stomach are so sore all the time it's hard to deal with. I have a problem with sitting and standing for more than 3-4 hours at a time. I have to lay down with a large ice pack to calm the muscles down.
I also have almost daily flare-ups as I call them. This is when I feel like I am being stabbed over and over again, sometimes just in one area and other times all over the abdomen.Other times it feels like I am being prodded with a cattle prod in different areas. And then, at times it feels like my abdomen is an electrical grid and jolts of electricity are sent to differen grids all over the stomach. Afterwards it feels as if I have been gutted and my stomach is one large open wound.
I started going to see my gastro about a month after surgery and told him I didn't think I was getting any better after the surgery. I was told it was just taking a little longer for me to heal. After 5 months with no improvemen I was referred to a Pain Management Clinic. I have tried about every drug available for nerve pain and nothing has helped to date. I even took Topamax which was supposed to cause me to loose up to 40 pounds and I gained 20 lbs.
I wear a 25 mcg fentanyl pain patch and try not to but some days have to take Lortab once or twice a day. I had migrains starting after the surgery but is controlled by Depakote.
I just had my 2 year anniversary with the pain and constipation and the doctors have no idea what to do at this stage. I have had 5 nerve blocks to the celia plexus to no avail. Does anyone else have similar symptoms or any suggestions?
Hi to all. Rx, I am so sorry about the news. Does your doc feel that it is absolutely necessary? I was wondering if maybe you waited until you are all healed and then could try again? I pray that you will continue to get better. Please keep us posted...you all are always in my prayers.
Kit, thanks for your kind words, too. I had a good Christmas, much better than last year considering I spent last year in the hospital...lol. This was a tough one, emotionally, as I missed my son more and more just from the fact of having my other son, his wife and Angie here. I started doing the "what ifs...thinking about if Ryan would have had kids, etc. But all in all, it was great. My sister came over and we have a great time.
Kit, thanks for your kind words, too. I had a good Christmas, much better than last year considering I spent last year in the hospital...lol. This was a tough one, emotionally, as I missed my son more and more just from the fact of having my other son, his wife and Angie here. I started doing the "what ifs...thinking about if Ryan would have had kids, etc. But all in all, it was great. My sister came over and we have a great time.
Happy Holidays to all. I am thinking of all of you and wishing you well. Sorry about the news Rx its tough to get that around Christmas time. What was the hernia symptoms and did not see it? I did not know you had to deal with that too.
Sue, as always I know how this holiday is for you. Thinking and praying for you.
Later,
Nancy
Sue, as always I know how this holiday is for you. Thinking and praying for you.
Later,
Nancy
I am sorry that it has been so long since I have posted. Being back to work has taken any extra energy away from me! Plus, last week I had a bit of a scare, I had a fever again and thought we were about to start over from square one. Luckily, the fever passed and I did not go to the emergency room.
My Christmas was amazing! Back in September, when I had my second emergency surgery, I wasn't sure that I would still be here for Christmas. I have so much to be thankful for. Even though having a colostomy bag and a nasty hernia were not on my list of things to try before I die, I know that these experiences have made me a little bit stronger on the inside!
I had an appointment with my OB/GYN ten days ago, and we decided that he would perform my hysterectomy at the same time as my next surgery in August or September. That kind of put a lump in my throat, I know that it is not safe for me to get pregnant or to try to carry a baby to term, but I always thought that my husband and I would make the decision when to stop trying for a family. Now the decision has been made for us and we still have empty bedrooms and empty arms.
Anyway, I hope everyone's holiday was fantastic. I wish you all a safe and HEALTHY New Year!
Suzanne
My Christmas was amazing! Back in September, when I had my second emergency surgery, I wasn't sure that I would still be here for Christmas. I have so much to be thankful for. Even though having a colostomy bag and a nasty hernia were not on my list of things to try before I die, I know that these experiences have made me a little bit stronger on the inside!
I had an appointment with my OB/GYN ten days ago, and we decided that he would perform my hysterectomy at the same time as my next surgery in August or September. That kind of put a lump in my throat, I know that it is not safe for me to get pregnant or to try to carry a baby to term, but I always thought that my husband and I would make the decision when to stop trying for a family. Now the decision has been made for us and we still have empty bedrooms and empty arms.
Anyway, I hope everyone's holiday was fantastic. I wish you all a safe and HEALTHY New Year!
Suzanne
Hi. My gastritis seems to be getting better. I saw my gi yesterday and he recommended that I start on probiotics( I was impressed as my old doc did not want to hear anything like that). He gave me some samples and told me that some of my pain may be from an imbalance of the flora. He also prescribed an anti spasmodic called Betyl. I have not filled yet. He showed me on the report that I have a hypertrophic colon, I guess meaning that the muscles are spasming due to the fact that they had to work so hard when my I was having my attacks. Have you ever heard of it? He seems to feel it will help with the pain that I am having. Also, I know what you mean about watching people eat. It is so frustrating watching people eat all sorts of stuff and knowing that they probably have no problems with it. Anyway, yes, my one year anniversary is in January. Other than that, he said everything looked good. There are still some small diverticula but not alot. Also, the H Pylori test came back negative. He gave me samples for Prevacid to see if that works better than Aciphex for my GERD. I am glad that you are refilling your script. So many people get discouraged with no immediate results that they just chuck it. My older sister did. Well. have to get back to work. I am working next week, but the kids are off. Hope to get caught up on stuff. God bless.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem
