Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I commented on this site previously that I had extreme pain on the right side for a couple of months following colon resection surgery. A CT scan showed no issue and I was told the pain was caused by the robotic arms which entered on that side to go to the left side to remove the portion of the colon with diverticulitis.

Hi, I’m new to this site but have been reading through all the comments over the past few weeks. I had a bowel resection 7 weeks ago because of Crohn’s disease. All went well and I was recovering fine until I developed an abscess a few weeks ago which ended up with me being re admitted to the hospital for anti biotics. I came home and again I’ve been fine until about 5 days ago where I have horrendous pain in my lower right abdomen which is were the resection was done. It hurts to even gently touch this area. I had an emergency CT scan done a couple of days ago and the surgeon said that it looks like just inflammation that is causing the pain. Has anyone else had such bad pain from inflammation 2 months after the surgery? I feel like I’m going backwards. Im 34 with 2 young children and I feel so bad that I still don’t have the energy and in to much pain to do anything with them. The surgeon basically said to wait another month before I go back to him but I’m worried something else is wrong. Had a high fever last night that lasted about 12 hours but that has gone now but it’s just the extreme pain. Paracetamol doesn’t do anything for the pain and not sure what else I can take. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hello @louiel and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear of all of the problems that you are having post-surgery. You must feel very tired as well as in pain.

I have just a few questions if you don't mind sharing more: When your doctor found this inflammation, 2 months after surgery, did he restart you on antibiotics or offer you any other suggestions? You said that you ran a high fever for 12 hours. How high was the fever?

I would highly recommend that you call the doctor's office and leave a message regarding the fever and pain and the fact that the current pain med is not helping. It might also be a good idea to see if you should be taking another antibioltic.

I would really like to hear how you are doing. Will you post an update after your call to the doctor? If the pain and fever come back again remember that you can go to the ER or other walk-in clinic to have an evaluation and blood work done.

Still in extreme pain 9 months post sigmoid resection

My wife had her sigmoid removed in March 2021 due to chronic diverticulitis. She got infected which required antibiotics and ultimately ended up back in the hospital with C-Diff. She has not recovered since and has lost over 40 pounds in 9 months. She has rectal pain and pressure which prevents her from sitting normally. And lately, she is feeling a strong burning sensation in her lower abdomen. We've gone to more than one specialist, but they don't seem concerned even after we plead with them for help. Her latest CT scan in October showed some fat stranding in the anastomosis area so everyone say she's fine. We're both completely deflated over the lack of concern and she has little belief that she is going to get better.
Has anyone else had these symptoms (mainly the rectal pressure and lower abdominal burning)? If so, how did you treat? We are desperate to find her some relief. Any guidance would be so greatly appreciated.

Hi Shelfitz, welcome. How upsetting that your wife continues to have painful symptoms nine months after surgery, like rectal pressure and lower abdominal burning. You'll notice that I've moved your post to this discussion about post-surgical issues. I did this to connect you with other members like @joyce1 @robinmacdonald @louiel @dcoakley @doodily10 @phil123 @glacier @tbillz119 @mdavids @lorijbq who have had the same surgery. Through their experiences, I'm hoping that they can provide tips and ideas about your wife's discomfort and what course of action you might be able to pursue to get answers from her medical team.

Shelfitz, while you continue to look for the underlying cause, what do you find helps her sit comfortably? Have you tried an inflatable ring, like a pool ring? What has the medical team offered for her pain? Have you considered seeking a second opinion?

Hi everyone I’m 6 months post op. Some internal things can’t eat somethings - hamburger is rough! Some things give me diarrhea. I have a small hernia. I get gas anywhere, everywhere and at any time. It just slips out. Other than that I’m ok. I lost 15lbs wish it was more. My CEA level is 6.7. I had a ct scan of my abdomen all is well. I had a 6 month colonoscopy and my first endoscopy. My blood pressure was really low afterwards. Much love to all my Colon Caner warriors cause this sucks.

Op was 28th June 21. I still get diarrhoea several times a day. I do drink coffee which could be the culprit! A naturopath recommended protein, collagen powder and Kefir which I take still but need to go to toilet straight after. Really greasy food sets me off. I eat Fodmap food but not all the time like rice, apple juice, toast and bananas. There are many more foods that that. I drink wine, tequila, coffee and meat. I get gas when going to the toilet so it's diarrhoea really. Sometimes I don't make it to the toilet as there is no time from the urge and have many times ran to a shopping centre toilet terrified I won't make it. I use the disabled toilet as there is room to wash yourself in case. Doctor says it's all good though. Thought I might have a bacteria but no. I think it is the way it is for the rest of my life. I need to be grateful to be alive! I had perforation and obstruction from a rose twig and was very ill the first week in hospital. Do not ask how I swallowed a 10cm twig and not notice!

How horrible for both of you. Could it be diet-related? Maybe research healing foods and supplements. Advise going to a naturopath and other alternative healers. Also enrol in a pain management course probably provided by a hospital. It worked for my sister who thinks of something else when in pain. Good luck

I had emergency colostomy surgery in June 2017. Lost one foot of colon. Four moths later I had reattachment surgery that took about six inches more. A year later I needed five different hernias repaired, caused by previous surgeries. All recoveries were very straight forward, constipation being the recurring issue.
This past year, on four different occasions, I would get a pain (usually around 3am) in my lower left abdomen. This felt like gas or a blockage from constipation. The pain would radiate across the stomach throughout the day and by evening, nausea would come on and I vomit. This would be followed by diarrhea. The next day everything seemed normal except for residual aching.
Explained all this to my physician, who ordered xrays. Along with original surgeon, they found no blockage or adhesions.
So I'm writing today after fifth bout to see if anybody has experienced anything like this. Thanks for any help.

Welcome, John. This must be so frustrating to have this recurring pain 5 times in the past year, more than 3 years after surgery and that an x-ray showed nothing obstructive. Have you been able to recall any food you ate or activity you did the day before the painful episode in the night? Is there a common thread?