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.

[ronaldv73]

Sorry you are having a tough time, I had to have my Colon removed due to infection, worst the surgeon had ever seen though he was quite young but in charge, my symptom's were blood in stool and non-stop diarrhea for a month or so, after 3 days call your doctor!! had I waited another week I would've been dead, in hospital for 21 days with no food or drink until last day, I had the bag for about 6 months, not cool, doctor said he would make me a whole man again after 6 months, great I said now near 9 years later and taking only Anti-Diarrhea pills (for life) I felt about 99%, my stool is still very loose, I have a port-a-potty in my man cave in the basement since leaving the hospital, going often, just couldn't make it to the toilet in time, I'm 60 yrs old now working On-Call 24/7 but I still have problems more so at night, I quit drinking any alcohol after 6oz of beer put me on the toilet for a few hours but it took a 2nd try to be sure, I went to my doctor about a month ago because I had seen a very small amount of blood and a lot of pressure like a No.2 with nothing, waiting to see the gas doctor, buts are big business lol, I have to use a special crème because of the sensitivity of going so often and I usually sit for quite a long time while in private watching TV and doing numerous puzzles, when I get up to maybe try going to bed I got to go again, it's been near 2am before getting to sleep but usually up again by 4:30am, 5, 6:10am, etc. until I get my first call for service, do a quickie, lube up and good for a while or most of the day, once I eat something then things get worse, I don't have any stomach issues just a sensitive pooper, there was a time after having the bag removed that I wanted it back, maybe in the future they could just cap off where the bag goes then like now I could hook it back up until my booty has a chance to heal up, however I'm still active yet close to home and alive, I hope for the best for all of us that have had to endure so much discomfort.  

[just4thisnow]

Hello Sue, did your hubby get the experimental back procedure? Do you mind if I ask what it was?  I have severe back pain, I have stenosis but the pain started after the colorectal resection and never improved.  I wish I could find a doctor that might be willing to look at my back, I would be very willing to try anything! After having so many complications, it seems most docs don't want to mess with me.  My records listed me as a "high risk" due to issues encountered with leak during surgery, at least I guess that's what it is.  I didn't self implode! My guts started leaking, comments said probably misfired staples, discovered days afterwards.  I hope you are feeling OK as well.

[just4thisnow]

Question, I had a bowel resection, leak, coma, infection, septic shock, and so forth.  Several surgeries.  Now, I have a lot of back pain that I can't control.  I've tried everything to keep it under control in the way of meds, nerve blocks, therapy, injections and so forth.  It feels like something is stuck, pulling, electric.  Reading on here, it sounds like the same problem many have had.  I had similar issues in abdomen, some PT helped that to some degree, still have bloating, big blobs in gut, problems digesting, but I can put my hands over my head.  I was never able to get anyone to work on my low back.  I don't know how you would tell if you had adhesions.  I had a lot of infection, MRSA, E Coli, and others.  Tied to a bed, so I guess things settled in my back?  I have nerve damage in bowels and bladder.  Does anyone know how you can find out if adhesions are the culprit?  I live in the south.  I'm limited as far as travel, but if I could find a doc that could help, I would find a way.  I have a friend in Florida.  It's very frustrating how many times I hear "this is odd, most people don't have these problems!".  Do they say that to everyone?  One doc admitted my guts "looked like a train wreck", but also added he wouldn't touch me with a 10 foot pole because "things" were not where they were supposed to be.  It looks like Lyrica has helped some? I've tried that, and it didn't help.  How long does it take before it works?  I really wish someone would just get a knife, cut my back open and take a look, it sounds desperate I know, but I have run out of options.  

[just4thisnow]

Shelly, I'm so sorry to hear about your situation.  I also had a surgery, mine was for colorectal cancer, and had a leak with fecal matter everywhere, septic shock, induced coma and all that stuff.  After working so hard to get ahead, I understand the frustration of having the rug pulled out from under you.  I worked my way through school and college, and had a good paying job.  Like most on here, I've been told that the docs don't see why I'm in pain, 4 surgeries and countless procedures later.

Now on Medicare, and all meds are not covered.  It's so frustrating! Having pain, everywhere, especially in low back, but inflammation everywhere else!  I did find a local therapist that did PT to release some of the scars/adhesions as I could not put my hands over my head before.  I have lots of issues with constipation, parts of my intestines don't seem to work at all.  Linzess helped out with that after years of trying everything else.  

A word of warning to all that have had a gut leak, it can cause internal abscesses that form to "protect" your body from the fecal matter that leaked.  I had 3 of these, they were rather large, and the docs and hospitals said they were ovarian, even though lost ovaries in surgery 1.  Finally, after several years, one broke, infection in body all over again.  So watch out for the "cysts", they didn't test them and they were very painful.  It was another trauma, but I was happy when it broke because it could finally be drained.

[roberbar]

I had a bowel resection  after rectal cancer. It has been 8 years and I still suffer from all the things you do. Although that is no consolation there is some hope. Write down the trigger foods, (mine are certain vegetables, cottage cheese, chocolate, asian food(which I love).and many more. My bowel problem is not as frequent as I have started to juice for my main meals. At breakfast I eat oatmeal/high fiber cereal. If you juice it is easier for your bowels to deal with.Hope it helps as I feel for your plight.

[nursejennb]

I had my first resection in 2001 from a botched surgery ( my bowel was pulled into my incision). was left 3 weeks with obstruction before a different doctor saved my life, anyway, they only removed about 2 inches of necrotic bowel, one year later had another foot of large and foot of small removed. now 12 years later I am still having massive amounts of diarrhea, and for 2 weeks now worst headache in years, fatique, rib pain, diarrhea within 10 minutes after eating...tried all of the diets, tried all of the meds, supplements, fed up. No good GI in my town, and feel like a hypochondriac ( I am a nurse too so I make aterrible patient) have colonoscopy few years back and said slight narrowing of a spot and redness.....help!!!!