Frequent bowel movements

Hello @ritaz,

Welcome to Connect. Unfortunately, problems with eating and bowel habit seem to be a cause of distress in many after surgery. I’d like to introduce you to a few members who might be able to share their or their loved ones’ post colon cancer surgery experiences and insights with you – please meet @starrlight @sallyg @travelgirl @suemer and @ilene1
You may also be interested in the Cancer group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/cancer/ in particular this discussion “Healthy diets for cancer patients” https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/healthy-diets-for-cancer-patients/

May I ask if you would share a few more details? Do you think the frequency has increased because of high-fiber food and/or Metamucil?

Where was your surgery? If...you had Lower Anterior Resection..then there is a group on Facebook that I found that is most helpful. If your situation is different...then I would suggest you speak with your doctor to convey your issues. Hopefully...he/she will have further suggestions . Good luck to you!

I had colon tumor removed in april 2017 symptoms were 6-8 bowel movements a day and severe pain in abdomen and since surgery it has gotten worse. Oncologist said it may take up to 8 mths to have proper bowel movement. I tried changing diet and still same as before surgery. Hope someone has answers

It has been over a year since colon tumor removed and still many bowel movements a day.

Yes , I do too. I actually had 20 bowel movements yesterday. I'd write more and will, but this site is rather unsteady and erased my original message
Jim in Denver

So, I have about 7-8 bowel movements 4-5 days a week. I work part time and don't want to deal with this at work so I take immodium starting the night before a work day (Wed and Fri 5 hours each) It works well as I will then go 2-3 days with NO BMs. That is probably not heathy, but it has worked so far.
Having those days off does not necessarily increase BMs on the rest of the week since if I don't do any immodium for a week or so I still 7-8 a day. I've had 12 BMs twice and 18 once. That was about 5-6 weeks ago. I had hopes I'd never have tha many again. Yesterday I had 20. Quite painful after awhi le especially because I now have a hemorriod. My cancer was stage one thankfully but it did result in the removal of 90% or more of my rectum.
JIM

I see that other comments on this topic are 4-5 years old. I hope this topic can be updated, because until today I thought I was the only one in the world with this very annoying problem.
Not to make light of it , but I believe my 20 BMs in a 24 hour period is the record. (This was yesterday, Dec 30, 2024)
I would love to discuss this situation with others so that I don't feel all alone.

JIM

Is this site still active?
JIM

Yes, I have that problem as well, since July 9 of 2024. I thought I might be the only one in the world . Just yesterday I actually had 20 bowel movements. Totally insane, and painful as I have also developed a hemoreoid

Hi Jim, I am sorry you are going through this. I only had chemo and radiation and ended treatment October 15th, and my system is not even close to normal yet- I don’t know how long you have been dealing with this. The doctors tell me it takes time to heal, and I know people who continue to have issues years later. For me, it is all balance and pain management. I have to control diet and fiber has been my enemy. I am lucky to work from home, but can spend hours on the toilet with mixed results. Then I crap myself anyway. I am trying anything and everything, just keep looking.