After colon resection surgery how long did you have periodic diarrhea?

For me, periodic diarrhea has occurred for the entire 39 years since my surgery and radiation therapy in 1986.
There is a good reason for this call Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS). You can search Artificial Intelligence on this to learn the likely medical reasons. A recent second opinion on treating this from a gastroenterologist gave me four corrective solutions to pursue: Diet/Nutrition including disciplined management of food intake, medication specifically Loperamide which stops diarrhea, pelvic floor therapy, and finally sacral nerve stimulation. I have had some success with the first two, but not a complete solution. I am currently pursuing the third and fourth options. The GI doctor also gave me a fifth option if none of the first four worked - permanent colostomy. Watching my stepfather manage a permanent colostomy for 30 years, that is not a direction I am head in. While I believe that diarrhea after rectal surgery and radiation can be managed, it may not be an easy road to pursue. Hope this helps

Thank you for your response. My primary doctor suggested a dietitian. I’m going to go that way to start. I don’t see my GI doctor for three more months. The only thing I do that I shouldn’t is coffee.

I’m 15 years out from surgery and if I don’t take Benefiber first thing in the morning, I’ll have bathroom issues all day long. Not good.

My cancer surgeon said I will need 3 tsp Benefiber mixed with my morning drink for the rest of my life. Sometimes I’ll take another 3 tsp in the afternoon. I mix it with my morning coffee…there’s no taste to it. Mix with anything but soda.

It’s worth a try. Easy to take daily and it works for me! My surgeon was spot on with his advice!

I’m not sure if I need more fiber. I don’t have a movement every day. On the second or third day I’ll have a solid movement. If I have a second one that day it’s followed within an hour with diarrhea until I’m empty. I think it’s time to see my surgeon. Thanks for your reply.

I have been using Metamucil fiber for the same purpose. 2 tablespoons mixed with orange juice in morning and evening. It has a benefit though I am not sure how much.

I have found Loperamide, 2 mg tablets to be effective in stopping diarrhea. Follow the directions. Over the counter with several brands available: Imodium, CVS anti diarrheal, etc.

I use Imodium. It doesn’t always help even if taken after the first occurrence. After reading comments,it sounds like a fiber issue.

Two years now, since colon resection (ascending). Still struggle with diarrhea. (At least in the mornings, 2-3 times.) It's interesting that my GI, did not seem to understand or believe it could be do to that resection... altho I read enough about this online to know how common it is. So did all the poop tests which were negative. Bottom line for me (only me) is that it was REALLY hard for me to introduce fiber back into diet, after being only able to eat soft foods for so long. I have started taking Metamucil Fiber Gummies (pretending like their candy)... but start slow with this... because can be definite gas 🙂 And not being afraid of fibrous stuff (still wary). It has definitely helped a bit, and while hope it gets better... have a sense will be something to deal with for perhaps forever. Immodium type of stuff also helps, although I really hate taking additional pills. I feel lucky that it doesn't mess up lifestyle too much except in a.m. Wishing you and all Good luck with yours!! You are not alone!!

Thanks for the response. I think the problem is with fiber. I’m going to try Metamucil. Can’t hurt!

My resection was rectum and part of sigmoid colon - the other end from yours. Wonder if that may make a difference. Immodium (Loperamide) allows you to go up to 16 mg per day. So, far I have been successful with one 2mg. But sometimes I need to renew it after a day and one half or two days. Have had reasonable results with Metamucil fiber, 2 table spoons twice daily which I mix with orange juice. I am looking forward to pelvic floor therapy, but that may not be appropriate for ascending colon resection. If that does not resolve my issues, I hope to be a candidate for sacral nerve stimulation. I first read about low anterior resection syndrome in an oncology medical description last year (again, not clear that LARS would apply to ascending). I believe it is a relatively recent find although it affects many.