Hemicolectomy: Experiencing spasms and muscle cramps, why?

Posted by titigiti @titigiti, Feb 2, 2022

Hello everyone, I had a hemicolectomy a year and a half ago because I had a perforation and I now have a lot of muscle cramping when in certain seating positions. Can anyone tell me if these spasms and muscle cramps are common or what this could be? Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

@donnall

Thanks. Weight is still not good. I haven't mentioned the pain to the surgeon or any of my doctors yet. It is relatively new and I don't know if it's even an issue.

Jump to this post

I would mention it to your surgeon or trusted doctor so that they can rule out anything serious and offer solutions.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Welcome, @donnall. How is your weight now? Have you told your surgeon about the pain?

Jump to this post

Thanks. Weight is still not good. I haven't mentioned the pain to the surgeon or any of my doctors yet. It is relatively new and I don't know if it's even an issue.

REPLY

I think symptoms are different depending if one had left or right colectomy. Had mine (right) in August still have to take care and do get tired quickly too.

REPLY
@petjoy

I was in Hospital four days went homE and started normal diet more or less straight away being sensible of course. Constipation always a problem until my surgeon suggested Meta Mucil which I take twice a day. Problem solved. If I dont eat at normal mealtimes eg brekky lunch and dinner my tummy does tend to go haywire and discomfort follows. Wish you well.
.

Jump to this post

Thanks. Maybe I need to eat meals at more normal mealtimes. I've never had constipation my is diaherra so that's one reason I've been going slower to add back a lot of fiber

REPLY
@donnall

I can relate although my experience is a bit different. I had a right hemicolectomy 3 months ago. I was in the hospital 2 weeks and then I went to rehap for 3 weeks because I'm severely underweight they felt I needed to get strength back before going home. I stayed on the low fiber diet completely for 2 and half months. I have just started trying other things gradually. I never had pain in my right side before a few days ago. Now just at the waistline and below have a constant pain and then short quick spasms that feel like it's being tied into tight knots. Not sure why. I have completely loose bowels and usually have several a day. Don't know why I suddenly have this pain but it's there

Jump to this post

Welcome, @donnall. How is your weight now? Have you told your surgeon about the pain?

REPLY

I was in Hospital four days went homE and started normal diet more or less straight away being sensible of course. Constipation always a problem until my surgeon suggested Meta Mucil which I take twice a day. Problem solved. If I dont eat at normal mealtimes eg brekky lunch and dinner my tummy does tend to go haywire and discomfort follows. Wish you well.
.

REPLY
@donnall

I can relate although my experience is a bit different. I had a right hemicolectomy 3 months ago. I was in the hospital 2 weeks and then I went to rehap for 3 weeks because I'm severely underweight they felt I needed to get strength back before going home. I stayed on the low fiber diet completely for 2 and half months. I have just started trying other things gradually. I never had pain in my right side before a few days ago. Now just at the waistline and below have a constant pain and then short quick spasms that feel like it's being tied into tight knots. Not sure why. I have completely loose bowels and usually have several a day. Don't know why I suddenly have this pain but it's there

Jump to this post

Sorry pain is on the left side not the right.

REPLY
@petjoy

Isn’t it strange. I had right hemicolectomy and always was very uncomfortable on the right hand side. I am just seven weeks out but find I do get cramps pain if I sit for example in the theatre or movies. I find getting up and walking for five Minutes or so to help. Not always convenient though.

Jump to this post

I can relate although my experience is a bit different. I had a right hemicolectomy 3 months ago. I was in the hospital 2 weeks and then I went to rehap for 3 weeks because I'm severely underweight they felt I needed to get strength back before going home. I stayed on the low fiber diet completely for 2 and half months. I have just started trying other things gradually. I never had pain in my right side before a few days ago. Now just at the waistline and below have a constant pain and then short quick spasms that feel like it's being tied into tight knots. Not sure why. I have completely loose bowels and usually have several a day. Don't know why I suddenly have this pain but it's there

REPLY

Isn’t it strange. I had right hemicolectomy and always was very uncomfortable on the right hand side. I am just seven weeks out but find I do get cramps pain if I sit for example in the theatre or movies. I find getting up and walking for five Minutes or so to help. Not always convenient though.

REPLY

I can relate to the sharp pain and spasms. I understand. Sometimes it feels like pulled stitches and the spasms feel like labor pains. I am so sorry. I can usually tell what causes the pain by examining what I ate the day before. Oatmeal, pineapple, cabbage, olives and even lettuce cause severe pain for me. I recently tried steak twice and that didn't work for me. My diet mainly is yogurt, eggs, chicken, fruit smoothies with chia seeds, protein powder and almond milk. I've recently been having muscle spasms and bloodwork showed that I was low on sodium and electrolytes. I'm working on that now. It is a learning experience. I read as much as I could on right hemicolectomy and it sounds like the majority continue to have bowel issues without a diagnosis. Don't give up. Sounds like you have a good doctor.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.