post total colectomy complications arthritis, deformed hands and fingers

[diamondsmiles]

Hello all:

I had a total colectomy in June of 09 for two huge bowel obstructions and had struggled my whole life with chronic constipation.  Post surgery everything was great, have to use lactulose to BM or my stools are pin thin.

Since the surgery, my middle finger joints on both hand have swollen and my fingers have become deformed.  The Rheum they sent me to ran some tests and labeled it "osteoarthritis"  Now I have fingers that bend under creating a u pattern (Swan Neck deformity they call it) also, I can extend my hand and flip back my fingers as if I am double jointed.

I am going back to see my surgeon tomorrow.  This change in my digits and hands has happened so quickly I am frightened.  The Rheum. autoimmune panel said nothing but in one calendar year my hands have become deformed with only minimal pain.

The pin thin stools are also a concern.  can anyone help this worried Nashvillian.  My surgery went fine but major complications afterwords, couldn't get the small intestine to work caused me to drop from 125 to 95lbs before being released after 12 days.  Felt amazing for over eight months but now I feel unwell all the time and am so worried about this supposed arthritis.

I would appreciate any feedback.  Bless you all.  So nice to find other people who have experienced a total colectomy.

diamondsmiles

[mammo]

I have several family members who have undergone total colectomies and I have never heard of what you're experiencing as part of it.  Once you have surgery on the bowel or have it removed, the intestine begins to work but then can stop again, and start again.  This happened to my son.  But it sounds like you have some narrowing somewhere, have they checked this out?  Rheumatoid arthritis is the biggest cause for the Swan Neck deformity in your fingers, as well as various nerve disorders like cerebral palsy, a stroke, Parkinson's Disease or injury to your fingers.  Because the deformity happened so quickly I would ask your doctor about a stroke having occurred. Best wishes and take care.

[Morecambe]

I underwent a total colectomy over six years ago for torrential diverticular bleeding.  In response to another Medhelp patient's question I posted my experience on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

I developed the "intestinal inertia" afterwards - the medical name is ILEUS.  But your finger/arthritis symptoms are something that I never encountered.

Another Medhelp patient - nickname irone - is having problems to find a surgeon willing to perform this operation for chronic constipation.  Apparently there seems a reluctance to carry out the procedure if the intestines are blocked/impacted with faecal matter.  But is this what was present in youw own case?  

regards
Morecambe