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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.
Kim, (I hope that's right)
One thing that I forgot to tell you before was that the gastro specialist said it can take 2-5 years to get back to "normal". She said for the amount that I had taken out (40%), I'm looking at closer to the 5 years...I'm not sure how much you had removed but if it was quite a bit it will probably take you some time as well.
It really helps to have an understanding family. My husband proposed to me on February 14, 2006 and I went to the ER on February 21. We were already living together so you can imagine how much pride I had to swallow when the "stink bombs" arrived. It was so bad sometimes that he had to sleep in the guest room. So embarrassing, especially for a girl. He must really love me though because he still married me, lol. I pretty much spent the first few months at home and occasionally chanced a trip to the grocery store in order to get out of the house. It took awhile, but the diarrhea did get better and less frequent. Just hang in there. I broke down in tears so many times and felt like my life as I once knew it was over and couldnt imagine how I would cope. But now, two years later, it is manageable. Every day is a challenge when it comes to food and the whole digestive thing but it is getting better.
Before I changed my diet, I had a very difficult time with going out for the day and going out to eat. No matter what I ate, a few minutes later I would feel the gas coming and need to be aware of the nearest bathroom. I still need to know where the bathrooms are but by cutting out the complex-carbs, I don't have to worry about the gas. I highly suggest just giving it a try if you are suffering from that like I am. A typical day for me now is scrambled eggs for breakfast, leftover dinner for lunch, grilled meat and a vegetable for dinner (make enough for lunch the next day). I snack on fruit, nuts, and cheese throughout the day. I've made a couple of the bread recipes in the cookbooks that use nut flour and they are nice to have around as a snack also but in no way replace the real thing! I still eat the bad stuff every now and then (my husband treated me to Cold Stone last night) but at least now I know how it will affect me and I can be prepared for it. This too is just a phase of the recovery, but I think it will be awhile before I can eat like a normal healthy person and not suffer for it.
I better get back to my laundry before my son wakes from his nap. You can email me anytime at ***@****.
Take care~Ah'lai
One thing that I forgot to tell you before was that the gastro specialist said it can take 2-5 years to get back to "normal". She said for the amount that I had taken out (40%), I'm looking at closer to the 5 years...I'm not sure how much you had removed but if it was quite a bit it will probably take you some time as well.
It really helps to have an understanding family. My husband proposed to me on February 14, 2006 and I went to the ER on February 21. We were already living together so you can imagine how much pride I had to swallow when the "stink bombs" arrived. It was so bad sometimes that he had to sleep in the guest room. So embarrassing, especially for a girl. He must really love me though because he still married me, lol. I pretty much spent the first few months at home and occasionally chanced a trip to the grocery store in order to get out of the house. It took awhile, but the diarrhea did get better and less frequent. Just hang in there. I broke down in tears so many times and felt like my life as I once knew it was over and couldnt imagine how I would cope. But now, two years later, it is manageable. Every day is a challenge when it comes to food and the whole digestive thing but it is getting better.
Before I changed my diet, I had a very difficult time with going out for the day and going out to eat. No matter what I ate, a few minutes later I would feel the gas coming and need to be aware of the nearest bathroom. I still need to know where the bathrooms are but by cutting out the complex-carbs, I don't have to worry about the gas. I highly suggest just giving it a try if you are suffering from that like I am. A typical day for me now is scrambled eggs for breakfast, leftover dinner for lunch, grilled meat and a vegetable for dinner (make enough for lunch the next day). I snack on fruit, nuts, and cheese throughout the day. I've made a couple of the bread recipes in the cookbooks that use nut flour and they are nice to have around as a snack also but in no way replace the real thing! I still eat the bad stuff every now and then (my husband treated me to Cold Stone last night) but at least now I know how it will affect me and I can be prepared for it. This too is just a phase of the recovery, but I think it will be awhile before I can eat like a normal healthy person and not suffer for it.
I better get back to my laundry before my son wakes from his nap. You can email me anytime at ***@****.
Take care~Ah'lai
Good morning,
Thanks again for all the information. I did not have as much as you had taken out, but my doctor told me that the portion taken out that included the ileum is the section causing all the problems. From reading other posts, it does not appear anyone has been put on the powder Cholestyramine, which makes me wonder if I need to just stop taking it and use a more natural approach.
You ended your last post giving me your e-mail address but it did not come through. I wonder if the site blocks it out. Here is mine---***@****.
Let me know if it came through. My husband and I are going shopping now, so I will talk with you later. We'll see how this shopping trip turns out. haha.
Kim
Thanks again for all the information. I did not have as much as you had taken out, but my doctor told me that the portion taken out that included the ileum is the section causing all the problems. From reading other posts, it does not appear anyone has been put on the powder Cholestyramine, which makes me wonder if I need to just stop taking it and use a more natural approach.
You ended your last post giving me your e-mail address but it did not come through. I wonder if the site blocks it out. Here is mine---***@****.
Let me know if it came through. My husband and I are going shopping now, so I will talk with you later. We'll see how this shopping trip turns out. haha.
Kim
Wow... I cannot believe that it has taken me seven years to find this community. In 2000, at the age of 17, I was in a car accident. I had emergency surgery and later found out that the doctors accidentally knicked my small intestines and I was leaking waste inside my body. About 60% of my small intestines was destroyed and I had to have a ileostomy. I have a reconstruction about 5 months later. Anyway, seven years later, I am still suffering from having to use the restroom at least 12 -15 times a day, I have gas that you wouldn't believe (or maybe you would), and it is affecting my social life. I am nervous to go anywhere after I have eaten. I don't like to stay overnight at anyone's house. My family is really supportive, but I just recently went through a devastating experience. My roommate of 2 years told me this weekend that she could not live with me anymore because of my "bathroom problem." Apparently, my problem is so "disgusting" that she is embarassed of me. Needless to say, I was very hurt because I have been struggling with this problem for years. I know that dairy affects me badly and I try to stay with food I know bother me less, but it seems like sometimes it doesn't matter what I eat, I still have uncontrollable gas and the "poops." Do you guys know of any natural supplements that I could take that could help? Someone mentioned charcoal, but I don't know much about it. I want to do as much as a I can for myself and for those around me.
You also are so young to have gone through this. It's too bad about your roommate, but I have found that people react to our situations in many different ways. I wish I could help you with your question on natural supplements, but I can tell you in just the past week, I have regained some sort of a sane lifestyle. After waking up in the morning, I have to use the bathroom about five times. As I have mentioned, I am on Cholestyramine. On my own, I have changed it to once a day, in the AM. I do not eat breakfast or lunch, just some crackers now and then. I am able to have a peaceful day with maybe using the bathroom once. Before dinner, I have a few glasses of red wine, which I have discovered relieves diarrhea. After dinner, I use the bathroom, but far less than what I was having to do.
Yes I know it is not good to not eat all day, but I have to do what is best for me and that is not spend all my day in the bathroom. Hopefully in time, things will improve, but this is the best alternative for now.
I have found that this surgery affects people in so many ways. So many people out there that never say a word are passing you by on the streets, in the grocery store, at your work place and we never know. How sad!
Yes I know it is not good to not eat all day, but I have to do what is best for me and that is not spend all my day in the bathroom. Hopefully in time, things will improve, but this is the best alternative for now.
I have found that this surgery affects people in so many ways. So many people out there that never say a word are passing you by on the streets, in the grocery store, at your work place and we never know. How sad!
Good afternoon,
I'm so sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I posted earlier about my surgery and my experiences so far so I dont want to bore you again with that (lol) but I do know how embarassing all of the digestive issues can be. I had about 40% of my small intestines removed and suffered for about 2 years from horrible bloating and gas that could clear out a room. The thing that has worked for me is to not eat complex carbohydrates. My in-laws are visiting from Scotland right now and we just returned from a 5 day trip to Bodega Bay where we all stayed in the same vacation house. I was so worried about them staying in our house and especially going on that trip together because I knew I would have to starve myself and even then go off and hide somewhere when the gas came about. However, about a week before they arrived, I completely cut-out complex carbs and suffer from very little gas if any at all. I still have diarrhea but that I can handle. I highly suggest giving this a try. Complex carbohydrates can be difficult for a normal person to digest so you can imagine how difficult it is for someone who is missing half of their intestines. We just dont have enough enzymes to break down the complex carbs into simple carbs so the food just sits in there and ferments and then we bloat up and all that disgusting gas has to come out. If you decide to give it a try, take a look at my earlier post for some more information or drop me a line at mylobster at gmail ******* (you too Kim :-)
Take care and talk to you soon!
Ah'lai
I'm so sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I posted earlier about my surgery and my experiences so far so I dont want to bore you again with that (lol) but I do know how embarassing all of the digestive issues can be. I had about 40% of my small intestines removed and suffered for about 2 years from horrible bloating and gas that could clear out a room. The thing that has worked for me is to not eat complex carbohydrates. My in-laws are visiting from Scotland right now and we just returned from a 5 day trip to Bodega Bay where we all stayed in the same vacation house. I was so worried about them staying in our house and especially going on that trip together because I knew I would have to starve myself and even then go off and hide somewhere when the gas came about. However, about a week before they arrived, I completely cut-out complex carbs and suffer from very little gas if any at all. I still have diarrhea but that I can handle. I highly suggest giving this a try. Complex carbohydrates can be difficult for a normal person to digest so you can imagine how difficult it is for someone who is missing half of their intestines. We just dont have enough enzymes to break down the complex carbs into simple carbs so the food just sits in there and ferments and then we bloat up and all that disgusting gas has to come out. If you decide to give it a try, take a look at my earlier post for some more information or drop me a line at mylobster at gmail ******* (you too Kim :-)
Take care and talk to you soon!
Ah'lai
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