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Pains throughout abdomen 3 months after hemicolectomy: Blockage
Hello. I'm new to the group and trying to learn my way around. I had a right hemicolectomy in March. Surgery went well, but unfortunately I had an infection afterwards. After that healed things seemed to go well, although I had to get an iron infusion because my hemoglobin was so low! Unfortunately, this made me constipated, so I had to work through that. Probably about 2 months after surgery I started getting sharp pains on my right side that would come and go. They were really painful. I also had some nausea. Then last week I started having pains all over my abdomen, with the most pain being on my right side. They did a CT scan in the ED, and it showed an SIBO and a medium amount of stool in the colon. I was in the ED for about 18 hours before being transferred to the hospital where I had the surgery. Since my pain wasn't as bad as when I went into the ED (I hadn't eaten for a day, that probably had something to do with it), and my stomach wasn't distended, the surgeon didn't think it was a SIBO. I had the test done where you drink the nasty fluid Gastrografin, have intermittent x-rays done to see how long it takes for the fluid to make it through your colon. It took about 2 1/2 hours, so the doctors just chalked it up to constipation. Now, I've had bowel movements every single day, so I was confused. After getting cleaned out from the gastrografin, I felt better so they sent me home. Then 2 nights later I awoke with very painful cramps in my stomach--a wave would come over me, and my stomach would get tight, and then it would subside and the stomach felt normal again. I called the surgeon and he just said they don't know what's wrong with me and suggested the possibility of exploratory surgery to find out. My right side is in worse pain now than it's been since the surgery. I'm not sure where to go for help. I thought about calling my GI doc. Has anyone else had these issues?
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Hi @tina3, welcome. I'd like to connect you with members with similar experiences. For example, see these related discussions:
- Hemicolectomy: Experiencing spasms and muscle cramps, why https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/hemicolectomy
- Rectal pain and diet post right hemicolectomy https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/right-hemicolectomy-rectal-pain-and-diet/
- Recovering from right hemicolectomy, starting chemo https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/right-hemicolectomy/
Do any of these sounds similar to your experience? Did you have the hemicolectomy to remove cancer? Did you have SIBO before surgery?
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1 ReactionHi,
I want to post an update. I did indeed have a blockage. I got very sick in early July, extreme stomach cramps and vomiting and went to the ER. They did another CT scan and determined there was a blockage. My surgeon determined that I needed emergency surgery. After the surgery, I was informed that my anastomosis had a lot of scar tissue, hence the blockage. I just want to encourage everyone that if you think something is wrong, keep pressing the doctors. I had pains in my right side that felt like someone was kicking me there! It had to be the anastomosis, and indeed it was. I hope this can help someone. Blessings to you all.
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5 ReactionsI appreciate this update, Tina. Thank goodness you persisted. How was your recovery from the emergency surgery? How are you feeling now?
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1 ReactionHello @tina3
I've read your posts about your hemicolectomy and subsequent constipation and blockages. As I've had three surgeries of the upper digestive tract, I can understand the difficulties you've been experiencing.
Will you share more about the eating plan you are following in order to avoid constipation and pain? For example, have you tried the low FODMAP diet? Have you found any foods in particular that trigger pain or other problems?
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1 ReactionMy recovery was slow, but I'm doing well now. Thank you.
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2 ReactionsHi Teresa,
Well, to tell the truth I am not following an eating plan and so far so good. However, I take Miralax every day and that helps. I have a redundant colon as well, and have been taking Miralax for about 20 years now. I seem to be doing ok eating what I want, but I am nervous sometimes when I have some pains in my abdomen or am slightly constipated. I'm not sure that those fears will ever be gone!
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2 ReactionsHi @tina3,
Chronic constipation certain can cause anxiety, especially when abdominal pain is added to the picture. However, anxiety can also create more constipation problems.
Have you ever had a referral to a pelvic floor therapist? They can offer exercises, breathing techniques and eating plans that are quite helpful. The pelvic floor therapist I saw even provided some abdominal massage techniques which really helped.
Have you asked about this type of referral?
Hello I am joining this group to see if anyone that has has a semi hemicolectomy have experiences the same symptoms Im having. Im going on 2 years now but even a few months after the surgery I always felt like there was something stuck by the upper right quadrant - rib area. When I eat its uncomfortable and I don't dare eat until I'm full because then its pain. It's a dull cholichy type pain and feels like waves that come and go. Its after eating and at the end of the day I need to lay down and the pain usually goes away.
I was in the emergency room a week ago. They did a CT scan and they cant see anything wrong only that I am backed up. I do use the restroom daily but maybe my intestines are slower than normal now. I had a volvulus on the right side of my colon before the surgery and this is the the reason I had the hemicolectomy . It was not due to cancer.
I will again restart on Miralax as I think I will probably take this for ever and drink more water. I don't eat much so its hard to pin point if certain foods would be the cause. If its scarring in the anastomosis area what are the symptoms, complications. How can this be diagnosed? Any info will be helpful. Thank you.