Bowel problems nearly a year after surgery due to complications.

Posted by carlsmith594 @carlsmith594, Jul 13 10:29am

So nearly a year ago I had a bowel resection to remove part of my intestines due to crohns disease. But there was a complication and I suffered internal bleeding and had to have emergency surgery, then I was in icu for around 10 days due to infection and ileus. It's been nearly a year now and I'm still having frequent loose bowels movements everyday some days I struggle to go other days it's constantly loose. Has anyone every had this issue? If so how long does it take for my bowels to regulate?

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harley22 | @harley22 | Jul 13 10:57am

I also have same issues as you.
I go back and forth between being constipated for up to 5-6 days, or having loose stools on other days.
Ever since I had emergency surgery for bowel perforation, I’ve had this issue.
Sometimes I eat something and I’m fine,seems next time I eat the same thing,I have to run to toilet and have severe cramping with diarrhea.
Was checked at gastroenterologist for crohns and had testing for malabsorption conditions and all tests were negative.
Now when I’m eating out I worry I’m going to have an accident because by the time I feel the severe cramps,I’ve gone a little
Seems to happen somewhere between 30-45 min after eating.
The doc told me to take Imodium when I’m out just in case.

carlsmith594 | @carlsmith594 | Jul 13 11:10am

Same with me, since being really ill in icu I've become very anxious about illnesses and also developed a fear of medication, I've been given tablets for malabsorbtion but can't take them due to the anxiety of the side effects, I'm at a lose tbh, I've been able to cope for the past 4 months with the issues but it seems to be getting worse again, last time I was severely depressed with all the problems.

jmx | @jmx | Jul 13 11:10am

Having Crohn’s disease you are pretty aware of the foods that are problematic for you. Post surgery your gut biome is going to be even more sensitive and it may be time to review what you’re eating and see if you have any new problem foods. Even a year later. Have you checked in with a dietitian or nutritionist recently? For me it’s the casein protein in milk. Best wishes.

carlsmith594 | @carlsmith594 | Jul 13 11:16am

In reply to @jmx "Having Crohn’s disease you are pretty aware of the foods that are problematic for you. Post..." + (show)

I have had a dietitian for over 3 years and they have said about foods that trigger me, the other issue I have I have no teeth and can't use dentures because I have a really bad gag reflex 🤦, so there is only certain food I can eat and that mostly consists of potato and chicken or fish.
But there doesn't seem to be any correlation with those foods because it's most days, not every day, so it's super confusing

carlsmith594 | @carlsmith594 | Jul 13 11:19am

In reply to @harley22 "I also have same issues as you. I go back and forth between being constipated for..." + (show)

Also with your symptoms, you may want to look into something called dumping syndrome.

jmx | @jmx | Jul 13 11:51am

In reply to @carlsmith594 "I have had a dietitian for over 3 years and they have said about foods that..." + (show)

I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this confusing and stressful time and hope that it resolves soon. I guess just keep working with your specialist. I take Align dual pre/probiotics to help keep my biome healthy and that helps me. But this sounds like you need support from your medical team.

cantek | @cantek | Jul 13 2:46pm

In reply to @jmx "Having Crohn’s disease you are pretty aware of the foods that are problematic for you. Post..." + (show)

Amen sista!
I have had constipation since a bacterial infection in January.
I suspect part of the problem is low cortisol due to secondary adrenal insufficiency.
I ate some Icecream the other night and god help me I thought I would die on the pot!
My entire bowel emptied with the most horrific nausea, sweating and cramping!
No more dairy for this girl!!😵‍💫