Post-op for cecal volvulus, need tips for gastroenteritis

I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica in 2023, followed by a course of prednisone, tapering after a year and a half. I had been in good health before the incidence of PMR and have had no flares after tapering off. In January 2026 I began cramping and vomiting suddenly and thought it might be something I ate. After 6 hours and no relief, I went to the ER. There they did a CT scan, diagnosed a cecal volvulus and within hours I was on the operating room table having a colectemy. I have recovered well, the only nagging problem being diarrhea that is treatable with OTC drugs.

With my reading on cecal volvulus, I find it is uncommon but increasing in incidence in the northern hemisphere. I wonder if the prevalence of treating diseases with prednisone could be contributing. Prednisone thins the bone and skin, dried out my mouth, god knows what else it is doing internally. Could it be degrading the connection between the cecum and the perineum wall?

FYI, I had my DNA sampled for genealogical purposes and I am 100% northern European caucasian. 70-year-old female. No history of digestive problems.

Hi @54pontiac - glad that they figured out you had a cecal volvulus so quickly and got you treated.

I'm sorry you still have the diarrhea lingering and hope that it will resolve permanently for you.

I don't know about the incidence and history of cecal volvus, but you might also search Google Scholar online and see if any clinicians or epidemiologists have studied this and offer you some useful information.

Meanwhile, I've moved your post here so you could connect with @jlstjohn who was discussing similar issues:

- Post-op for cecal volvulus, need tips for gastroenteritis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/post-op-for-cecal-volvulus/

I'd also like to introduce you to @jlharsh, who mail have some thoughts for you.

Have you been treated with prednisone? If so, did your doctor convey that this may have been related to the cecal volvus?

@lisalucier Thanks for your comments! Yes, as I said, I was on prednisone for a year and a half, most of that spent tapering off the drug, which is the standard treatment for PMR. As far as I know, specialists in neither field know anything about the other. But since I had no previous GI issues, cecal volvulus is pretty rare, and prednisone has SO MANY serious side effects, I thought there might be a connection. I don't suppose it matters to me at this point, but I sure wish they would work on prednisone to make it less toxic. There are biologic alternatives, I have learned through this forum, but they are expensive and have their own side effects. They were not offered to me when I needed treatment.

@54pontiac I remember being the "star patient" on the GI floor in the hospital after my cecal volvulous because it is so rare. I did have long standing constipation and likely pelvic floor dysfunction (the latter is still true) prior to the event, but the cause remains unknown. The surgeon explained that I have a "floppy colon", but that's about the only notable feature that seemed connected. I have since been diagnosed with reactive arthritis, which got changed to lupus, so perhaps there is an autoimmune component. Did I read correctly that you have a colostomy? How do you do with that? I have so many troubles with everything since the volvulous that I am considering a future with an ostomy of some sort, although I know that decision should not be taken lightly. The colorectal surgeon I see said it would be permanent.

The autoimmune possibility is interesting because PMR is an autoimmune disease. In my case I believe there is a strong genetic component for PMR on my mother’s side. On my father’s side there is a lot of IBS, which I did not get.

No, I did not have a colostomy, they were able to sew the two ends together. I had a Cole to my, which is removal of part of the colon. Good luck on your path. ❤️

@54pontiac Damn autocorrect. I had a colectomy.