1. < Digestive Health

Severe pain 1 yr after colon resection

Posted by kets @kets, Dec 12, 2021

My husband has Severe pain 1 year after 4 inches of colon removed because of diverticulitis. He Feels fine sleeping but when upright and going throughout the day, pain returns. When he eats, pain. When he goes to the restroom, pain. Nothing helps. He has had multiple CT scans with and without contrast. Nothing reported. Blood work shows elevation in neutrophils but everything else is normal. What could this be? He is becoming more and more discouraged.

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jcotler26 | @jcotler26 | Jul 5, 2023
In reply to @tjm2112 "Hi, in 2007 I had the same surgery (8") and I felt pain in my stomach..." + (show)
@tjm2112

Hi, in 2007 I had the same surgery (8") and I felt pain in my stomach that went away after ~1 year or more. I recently (October 2020) had a bit more of my colon removed because of another problem. I still have pain from the second surgery in the same general area of my abdomen. I thought it was another hernia, but CT showed nothing. It hurts when I cough, sneeze, and get in and out of bed. Bottom line: I was told that it may be scar tissue. It went away the last time and I hope it will again (12.17.21).

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Literally me to a T.

11/22/22 partial colectomy 8" of the sigmoid colon.
Infection had to heal inside out.

02/27
Hernia repair

still have pain at hernia site with mesh, swelling up I was told scar tissue. IBD and UC

I have an appointment on the 11th to schedule my gallbladder removal and second colonoscopy first one post surgery because I'm having pain at the site and now flat poop and what seems a mechanical blockage.

07.05.23
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timt293 | @timt293 | Jul 18, 2023

Hi,

I am new here and not sure the best way to post. I came looking for advice about colostomy reversal pain years after surgery.

I am 74 years old and went "on the bag" in July of 2021 for abscess from diverticulitis. In November of 2021, I was "reversed". They removed all the diverticula and said I had NO polyps and NO cancer. The diverticula were an issue however.

I had no real compilations from either surgery -- until recently -- and it has been almost 2 years!

For about 3 months now I have terrible sciatica pain that shoots down my legs. I'm pretty sure it is neurological, maybe caused by some adhesions, because it is not continuous. It stops late in the evening before bed, but next morning, it is back again. I am prone to sciatica anyway from a fall down a flight of stairs many years ago.

I called my surgeon and he says everyone heals differently -- and while 2 years out is a long time, it still could be healing. He said to eat whatever I like, take colace to soften stools, and try not to worry. If I have further questions, talk to my PCP who can prescribe pain relivers if necessary.

My BMs vary in quality from constipated (and really hard to move) to normal, to diarrhea from time to time.

I am awakened by the sciatic pain, and I am developing queasiness and nausea at times.

I have read that only additional surgery might help if there are adhesions. Additional surgery?? NO! Please!

I am getting very disheartened and feeling hopeless.

Any suggestions? Anything for nausea other than Pepto? I have tried peppermint and Chamomile teas. Nothing.

Also, If I posted in the wrong place, sorry -- I'm a newbie.

Thanks!

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hlucas | @hlucas | Nov 26, 2023
In reply to @sunny1971 "Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I..." + (show)
@sunny1971

Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I am 69 years old and six years ago. I started getting severe pain at night on the left side where the sigmoid was removed pain and I couldn’t even take stabbing so like someone was digging a knife in my side every single night I got the same pain almost the same time sometimes during the day, so I got another CAT scan. They didn’t say anything and my doctor in Georgia now, I was notified, and I spoke with him and he said it probably was scar tissue forming I had to watch my diet and watch what I eat. Mainly drink a lot of water so much water that all I did was get up and have to pee check with your surgeon. There must be something going on that would be Noticeable..

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I had a Colon resection January, 17-2023 I have had bout of severe stomach pains while trying to eat food. I’ve been told I have or had inflammation in my colon. I was advised to have the resection. I’m back to square one. I’m back to daily pain with diarrhea. Except now I also have the constipation and use enemas almost daily. Even after having a day of loose stool the next day I have constipation. I can’t go out to eat. Some days I can’t leave the house. During thanksgiving dinner I hardly ate. Bite after just one bite I doubled over. I’ve lost 15 lbs In A months. I’m tired of scans and colonoscopies without results.
Can anyone, anyone possible help me?

REPLY
1 reply
llcc8800 | @llcc8800 | Nov 27, 2023

I’m not a doctor but I have experience with a colon resection and small bowel resection. In my opinion and experience, pain after a surgery is adhesions/scar tissue. I have severe bowel and pelvic adhesions from multiple previous surgeries and from endometriosis and I’m in horrible abdominal pain literally 24/7.

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hlucas | @hlucas | Dec 1, 2023
In reply to @sunny1971 "Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I..." + (show)
@sunny1971

Hi I had a partial resectiion of my sigmoid, in 2006 it is now 2023. I am 69 years old and six years ago. I started getting severe pain at night on the left side where the sigmoid was removed pain and I couldn’t even take stabbing so like someone was digging a knife in my side every single night I got the same pain almost the same time sometimes during the day, so I got another CAT scan. They didn’t say anything and my doctor in Georgia now, I was notified, and I spoke with him and he said it probably was scar tissue forming I had to watch my diet and watch what I eat. Mainly drink a lot of water so much water that all I did was get up and have to pee check with your surgeon. There must be something going on that would be Noticeable..

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I’m just tired of these doctors. I have decided to treat myself by drink lots and lots of water as you mentioned. I’m eliminating a lot of foods as well. Spicy, Carbs (no breads). One thing I found is that medication before bedtime is a no no. I now take medication one hour before I lay down. And honestly I’ve been feeling better. Now if I can get the constipation under control I can live with this. But I also realized now. All the inflammation I had in my colon prompting a resection was completely unnecessary. I firmly believe it was night time medicine sitting in my body with no place to go because I would go right to sleep.

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resilience | @resilience | Dec 8, 2023
In reply to @hlucas "I had a Colon resection January, 17-2023 I have had bout of severe stomach pains while..." + (show)
@hlucas

I had a Colon resection January, 17-2023 I have had bout of severe stomach pains while trying to eat food. I’ve been told I have or had inflammation in my colon. I was advised to have the resection. I’m back to square one. I’m back to daily pain with diarrhea. Except now I also have the constipation and use enemas almost daily. Even after having a day of loose stool the next day I have constipation. I can’t go out to eat. Some days I can’t leave the house. During thanksgiving dinner I hardly ate. Bite after just one bite I doubled over. I’ve lost 15 lbs In A months. I’m tired of scans and colonoscopies without results.
Can anyone, anyone possible help me?

Jump to this post

Due to severe adhesions, I was told by my new gastro to take Miralax every day and to modify the dosage to smaller quantities depending on my constipation symptoms. It’s working! And my primary doctor told me it’s safe, and there are no side effects whatsoever.

REPLY
hlucas | @hlucas | Dec 8, 2023

Thank you 🙏 for sharing. I will give it a try.

REPLY
1 reply
resilience | @resilience | Dec 8, 2023
In reply to @hlucas "Thank you 🙏 for sharing. I will give it a try." + (show)
@hlucas

Thank you 🙏 for sharing. I will give it a try.

Jump to this post

If I knew this a decade ago, I most likely could have avoided adhesion lysis surgery after 2 prior surgeries and numerous blockage hospitalizations and dozens of painful threats. Important to drink a lot of water- it’s osmotic. Try getting a Nutribullet and make nutritious smoothies for breakfast. I add in a few tablespoons of Metamucil along with yogurts fruit etc. Keep fermented and probiotics up. Good luck!

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