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Rectal pain and diet post right hemicolectomy

Posted by lillyann @lillyann, Jun 3, 2021

I had a right hemicolectomy in mid March not due to cancer but rather a negative outcome of a colonoscopy. I was in perfect health pre this and needless to say it has been traumatic. (I hope it is ok to be in this group.) Because I have no assigned doctor for followup (emergency surgery) I am struggling to get info. The GI specialist that did the procedure called once, changed my diet and set my digestion in a tail spin. He told me to follow the FodMap diet which was so restrictive, I ended up starting to lose weight and have not recovered from this. (I was not being treated for irritable bowel before). I have consulted a dietician, and although not her specialty, we have a rapport. Questions
PREOP I had pelvic pressure and painful internal and external hemorrhoids after a lifting incident. POSTOP I have rectal burning ongoing. It makes life so unpleasant. I was told I had a fissure a few weeks ago but I am not convinced. I was ordered a cream to relax the rectum for the fissure but d/c it as it burns so badly. 1. How can I get through the rectal burning pain: It's been three months of distress? Any ideas? I sitz bath, use breathing exercises etc.
2. Also I have had to take a laxative twice (restoralax) twice in the last two weeks for constipation and sticky stool that seems to sit in rectum. My dietician has has me taking cold milled ground flax daily. I am now at one tablespoon. Is the flax a problem? (I drink an abundance of water daily)

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durelle | @durelle | Dec 18, 2021

One other question, I was told adhesions caused the small bowel obstruction last December but after the colonoscopy was done in May, no adhesions were found. I have asked 2 doctors if I don't have adhesions what caused the small bowel obstruction? The answer is we don't know what is on the outside of the bowel. Why can't I get resolution? I read high fiber foods can swell up and block the bowels. I am scared to eat anything that may cause another blockage. I've learned since that anything with oatmeal in it causes extreme pain. I tried just a lettuce salad and stomach cramps started the following day. Black olives caused diarrhea and cramps. I passed olives for 3 days. I have eaten small amounts of potatoes, yams and chicken with no problems. Sometimes I can eat eggs and avocados with no issues. I think the fresh fruit salad that I ate at Thanksgiving is what caused the pain in my intestines for days after. Any insight would be great.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Dec 22, 2021
In reply to @durelle "One other question, I was told adhesions caused the small bowel obstruction last December but after..." + (show)
@durelle

One other question, I was told adhesions caused the small bowel obstruction last December but after the colonoscopy was done in May, no adhesions were found. I have asked 2 doctors if I don't have adhesions what caused the small bowel obstruction? The answer is we don't know what is on the outside of the bowel. Why can't I get resolution? I read high fiber foods can swell up and block the bowels. I am scared to eat anything that may cause another blockage. I've learned since that anything with oatmeal in it causes extreme pain. I tried just a lettuce salad and stomach cramps started the following day. Black olives caused diarrhea and cramps. I passed olives for 3 days. I have eaten small amounts of potatoes, yams and chicken with no problems. Sometimes I can eat eggs and avocados with no issues. I think the fresh fruit salad that I ate at Thanksgiving is what caused the pain in my intestines for days after. Any insight would be great.

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Hi Durelle, it sounds like a real trial and error to find what foods work and which ones cause problems. You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- What is a good diet after colon surgery? Are probiotics good? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-after-total-colectomy/

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katytexas | @katytexas | Mar 28, 2022

My thought on constipation despite the use of flax or bran - if there is unknown gluten intolerance, the bran can cause a real flare up, with constipation and pain and gas.

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