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← Return to 2-years post bowel resection
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I had cervical cancer 32yrs ago. Radiation for 6wks & also 2 radium implants. Had total hysterectomy 8wks later. Problem is I have always suffered bowel urgency every 20mins approx since radiation. Was told this is normal. But the last 3 yrs have been hell. My Gastroenterologist has found severe bowel strictures in lower part of bowel in pelvis. No one wants to do surgery as saying it's too risky! Apparently this is caused from the large amounts of radiation I had & can take 20 to 30yrs to appear as strictures. On a basic very strict diet of mainly liquids so only weigh 40kgs. So depressed. Is there anyone been through this or have had advice on next step. No quality of life as I am constantly in the toilet with severe gut spasms or diarrhea. Any advice would be appreciated. I live in Australia.
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Like you I also had cervical cancer 16 yrs ago and had both radiation and chemo. 6 months later I started vomiting every day & lost 33 lbs in 6 months (this brought me down to 90 lbs.) My gastroenterologist said my bowel was damaged by the radiation & I had to have a bowel resection. Ever since by bm's have been diarrhea. Not ideal but I just lived with it. Lately I have started have extremely painful gas & bloating. I started taking a probiotic which has helped the gas & bloating a lot, however I am basically noxious all the time and the diarrhea has gotten worse. So I definitely feel your discomfort and frustration. You might try a probiotic at least for the gut pain and spasms. My dr told me there may be some scar tissue adding to the issue but that I should continue with the probiotic and that it maybe something I just have to live with. Encouraging right!!!