Connect
← Return to Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Discussion
Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Colorectal Cancer | Last Active: Jun 4 9:58am | Replies (521)Comment receiving replies
I had a total colectomy (laprascopic) almost 4 months ago due to motility issues. For about 10-15 years I had been having issues and have been to several doctors and surgeons for insight. I was using full half-gallon enemas, 3-4 times every other day or so for over four years to get anything to come out. I finally found an awesome surgeon at UCI Orange and after a variety of tests, decided on the surgery. It has been a struggle, but I'm learning some things that work very well for me and if i stray from them I have difficulties with pain, loose stool, difficult to get out and shooting pain above my main incision. Now things are going a lot better. I take metamucil (only 1 tablespoon with about a half cup of water to bulk up the stool) Before each meal along with 1 capsule of Loperamide 2MG (immodium to slow down and curb the diarrhea). Recently for the pain above my main incision which feels like its nerve pain and happens when I'm a bit gassy or after eating. So I'm now taking Gabapentin 300MG to stop the nerve pain. I took my first capsule last night before bed. I think it will take awhile to feel the effects but I'm hopeful. Good Luck, I hope you are able to find some relief.
Replies to "I had a total colectomy (laprascopic) almost 4 months ago due to motility issues. For about..."
Connect
Hi, not sure if you’ll even see this but I need to reach out. I’ve had severe motility since having cervical fusion in June 2020. I had the surgery through the front of my neck. I had 3 cages put in. It was a 6 hour surgery. I woke up but my bowels never did and have not on their own since. I was scheduled September 2021 for total colectomy in Boston but canceled. The surgeon understood all my worries and said keep searching let’s reschedule January 2022. I canceled. I can’t wrap my head around this surgery because I can’t have a bowel movement. It makes no sense. I’ve had so many tests and every medication possible and I’ll go sometimes but never without something. My problem is severe allergies to drugs, many. I can’t take any pain meds ever. All the drugs like linzess and amitiza caused me severe reactions. Problem is I’m 68. Is it worth it? I read all these awful recovery stories and I just don’t know if I have it in me anymore to do it. I’m terrified to have a Gastro nasal tube in for days. I’m retired from 30 years working in a hospital so I’ve seen it all. I have an appointment on Friday and those words again I’m hearing, out of options again Joanne. Right now I’m on erythromycin 3 times a day for gastroparesis and had to stop amitiza for breathing issues but wasn’t working anyway. I just couldn’t function. I can’t imagine forfeiting this life at 68 for that recovery life which sounds just as bad. If you see this I hope you respond. I’m so curious how many folks do this for poor cut motility. Also, how how are most. Thanks for listening,hope this finds someone and you’ll respond.
Thanks…Joanne