Severe pain 1 yr after colon resection

Posted by kets @kets, Dec 12, 2021

My husband has Severe pain 1 year after 4 inches of colon removed because of diverticulitis. He Feels fine sleeping but when upright and going throughout the day, pain returns. When he eats, pain. When he goes to the restroom, pain. Nothing helps. He has had multiple CT scans with and without contrast. Nothing reported. Blood work shows elevation in neutrophils but everything else is normal. What could this be? He is becoming more and more discouraged.

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@tjm2112

Hi, in 2007 I had the same surgery (8") and I felt pain in my stomach that went away after ~1 year or more. I recently (October 2020) had a bit more of my colon removed because of another problem. I still have pain from the second surgery in the same general area of my abdomen. I thought it was another hernia, but CT showed nothing. It hurts when I cough, sneeze, and get in and out of bed. Bottom line: I was told that it may be scar tissue. It went away the last time and I hope it will again (12.17.21).

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Literally me to a T.

11/22/22 partial colectomy 8" of the sigmoid colon.
Infection had to heal inside out.

02/27
Hernia repair

still have pain at hernia site with mesh, swelling up I was told scar tissue. IBD and UC

I have an appointment on the 11th to schedule my gallbladder removal and second colonoscopy first one post surgery because I'm having pain at the site and now flat poop and what seems a mechanical blockage.

07.05.23

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Hi,

I am new here and not sure the best way to post. I came looking for advice about colostomy reversal pain years after surgery.

I am 74 years old and went "on the bag" in July of 2021 for abscess from diverticulitis. In November of 2021, I was "reversed". They removed all the diverticula and said I had NO polyps and NO cancer. The diverticula were an issue however.

I had no real compilations from either surgery -- until recently -- and it has been almost 2 years!

For about 3 months now I have terrible sciatica pain that shoots down my legs. I'm pretty sure it is neurological, maybe caused by some adhesions, because it is not continuous. It stops late in the evening before bed, but next morning, it is back again. I am prone to sciatica anyway from a fall down a flight of stairs many years ago.

I called my surgeon and he says everyone heals differently -- and while 2 years out is a long time, it still could be healing. He said to eat whatever I like, take colace to soften stools, and try not to worry. If I have further questions, talk to my PCP who can prescribe pain relivers if necessary.

My BMs vary in quality from constipated (and really hard to move) to normal, to diarrhea from time to time.

I am awakened by the sciatic pain, and I am developing queasiness and nausea at times.

I have read that only additional surgery might help if there are adhesions. Additional surgery?? NO! Please!

I am getting very disheartened and feeling hopeless.

Any suggestions? Anything for nausea other than Pepto? I have tried peppermint and Chamomile teas. Nothing.

Also, If I posted in the wrong place, sorry -- I'm a newbie.

Thanks!

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@sunny1971

Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I am 69 years old and six years ago. I started getting severe pain at night on the left side where the sigmoid was removed pain and I couldn’t even take stabbing so like someone was digging a knife in my side every single night I got the same pain almost the same time sometimes during the day, so I got another CAT scan. They didn’t say anything and my doctor in Georgia now, I was notified, and I spoke with him and he said it probably was scar tissue forming I had to watch my diet and watch what I eat. Mainly drink a lot of water so much water that all I did was get up and have to pee check with your surgeon. There must be something going on that would be Noticeable..

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I had a Colon resection January, 17-2023 I have had bout of severe stomach pains while trying to eat food. I’ve been told I have or had inflammation in my colon. I was advised to have the resection. I’m back to square one. I’m back to daily pain with diarrhea. Except now I also have the constipation and use enemas almost daily. Even after having a day of loose stool the next day I have constipation. I can’t go out to eat. Some days I can’t leave the house. During thanksgiving dinner I hardly ate. Bite after just one bite I doubled over. I’ve lost 15 lbs In A months. I’m tired of scans and colonoscopies without results.
Can anyone, anyone possible help me?

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I’m not a doctor but I have experience with a colon resection and small bowel resection. In my opinion and experience, pain after a surgery is adhesions/scar tissue. I have severe bowel and pelvic adhesions from multiple previous surgeries and from endometriosis and I’m in horrible abdominal pain literally 24/7.

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@sunny1971

Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I am 69 years old and six years ago. I started getting severe pain at night on the left side where the sigmoid was removed pain and I couldn’t even take stabbing so like someone was digging a knife in my side every single night I got the same pain almost the same time sometimes during the day, so I got another CAT scan. They didn’t say anything and my doctor in Georgia now, I was notified, and I spoke with him and he said it probably was scar tissue forming I had to watch my diet and watch what I eat. Mainly drink a lot of water so much water that all I did was get up and have to pee check with your surgeon. There must be something going on that would be Noticeable..

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I’m just tired of these doctors. I have decided to treat myself by drink lots and lots of water as you mentioned. I’m eliminating a lot of foods as well. Spicy, Carbs (no breads). One thing I found is that medication before bedtime is a no no. I now take medication one hour before I lay down. And honestly I’ve been feeling better. Now if I can get the constipation under control I can live with this. But I also realized now. All the inflammation I had in my colon prompting a resection was completely unnecessary. I firmly believe it was night time medicine sitting in my body with no place to go because I would go right to sleep.

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@hlucas

I had a Colon resection January, 17-2023 I have had bout of severe stomach pains while trying to eat food. I’ve been told I have or had inflammation in my colon. I was advised to have the resection. I’m back to square one. I’m back to daily pain with diarrhea. Except now I also have the constipation and use enemas almost daily. Even after having a day of loose stool the next day I have constipation. I can’t go out to eat. Some days I can’t leave the house. During thanksgiving dinner I hardly ate. Bite after just one bite I doubled over. I’ve lost 15 lbs In A months. I’m tired of scans and colonoscopies without results.
Can anyone, anyone possible help me?

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Due to severe adhesions, I was told by my new gastro to take Miralax every day and to modify the dosage to smaller quantities depending on my constipation symptoms. It’s working! And my primary doctor told me it’s safe, and there are no side effects whatsoever.

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Thank you 🙏 for sharing. I will give it a try.

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@hlucas

Thank you 🙏 for sharing. I will give it a try.

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If I knew this a decade ago, I most likely could have avoided adhesion lysis surgery after 2 prior surgeries and numerous blockage hospitalizations and dozens of painful threats. Important to drink a lot of water- it’s osmotic. Try getting a Nutribullet and make nutritious smoothies for breakfast. I add in a few tablespoons of Metamucil along with yogurts fruit etc. Keep fermented and probiotics up. Good luck!

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Hi, so sorry your husband is suffering with this.

I have had strong bouts of constipation ever since my surgery (in 2021- it is now 2025) and have found that "COLACE 2-in-1" (stool softener and senna laxative (available on Amazon as among other places) helps a lot.

For some reason, any other brand or formula is useless and does nothing. I also use psyllium husk capsules and - believe it or not - Fibre-One cereal to "keep things moving along".

From what I have read (and deduced) on the Net, the stool passing through the repaired intestine is irritating to it (scar tissue), so I feel pain as the colon fills. The stool softener helps, but does not make things 'runny' or cause gas and bloating. Just a nice semi-soft stool. When I do get gas, I use Simethicone and it works in a few minutes.

My main issue almost immediately after surgery was extreme sciatica (I think they nicked a nerve) that has been slowly progressing since the surgery. So there is pain in my lower back which runs down my legs.

I also developed lower extremity pitting edema last year -- for no reason whatsoever. I was not on meds, it just arrived one day and got so bad I developed blisters, big ones!

My surgeon said he didn't want to see me about this, to go to my PCP -- who refuses to acknowledge any connection (pardon the pun) at all.

He sent me to a wound clinic, who then wrapped a compression bandage around my leg, ON TOP OF THE BLISTERS, and said to keep my legs up over my heart as much as possible. I complained about the pain and they said "Tylenol", but try not to take it because it can cause liver damage.

A visit to 5 doctors showed me that they are in the acute stages of denial and are gas-lighting me about this. And they wonder why my BP is often elevated!

I feel very confident that this is a nerve/adhesion issue because the edema is worse in my left leg than in my right leg, and the surgery was up the middle and on my left side.

Anyway, I have very LITTLE trust in the medical establishment, especially since they simply do not listen to me, they could care less about my history, and tell me that I am "not taking this seriously". "Lower your sodium intake and exercise, exercise, exercise!"

I wake up in pain every single day!

I am looking at holistic supplements to help, and have found a few things that do not interfere with anything, safe to take along with Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Amazon has a number of OTC holistic back and leg pain relievers that put Tylenol and Ibuprofen to shame. Of course, the medical people don't want to hear THAT!

I have read on this forum of other patients with similar issues and they got better all on their own, no thanks to the doctors.

I have hope because most of them reported that after a year or so of their worst pain symptoms, everything turned around.

I wish your husband the best with this awful journey. I do believe that our bodies can do a lot on their own, so if he can believe in his body, he might feel better about his situation.

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I am 14 months out from my bowel resection surgery & just started having pain this past week. 🙁
This makes me very nervous & concerned… it doesn’t feel like my previous diverticulitis flares, but it’s still extremely uncomfortable and noticeably different.

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