Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Also did they do a sigmoidoscopy to look at where they connected you up? Having that end September.

Thank you so very much. I am definitely going to ask my doctor, and I very much appreciate your help and advice.

Have you tried a neuromodulator? My gastroenterologist prescribed amytriptiline a few years ago for this sensation. I thought that the sensation would be CURED by the surgery! Can’t use it now because it is constipatint. However there is also Celexa which is an SSRI and it has good non-constipating neuromodulating effects which basically target these kinds of sensations. It’s a nerve
related thing. I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist this week and will
ask for it. Maybe you
can too?

About 7 months for me and things were not good at all at four months. At three weeks it was horrible. Just because the surgeon declares you are better does not mean your life has better quality. I have the same sensation in the lower left, all the time, the surgeon told me that I could not be having pain there because he removed the Sigmond colon, and it was "sympathy pain reaction". SMH! In other words, my body thinks it hurts but the pain is not real.

I have days that are better than others. Things go along the new normal then there is a sudden regression in symptoms lasting days or a week. Never got an answer on why or what would make this happen other than use prune juice. Once the surgery and post-op appointment I was told I was "all fine with normal symptoms". Guess what? Your best solution is to see if you can get help from your primary care doctor...the surgeon must have a hold harmless clause, somehow.

Same here. Things started getting better but then suddenly stopped working. Laxatives make the sensation of blowing up and about to explode but won’t come out normally. Have to use enemas daily. It’s been SIX months post surgery. They are going to do scope to look at the connection. But have to wait 7 weeks for the appointment. Misery.

My surgeon recommended I tsp Metamucil with 8 oz water in am and 1 Tbsp with 8 oz water after dinner. Mix well. Must try for a few days before things start to solidify and bind up.

I have no idea why these surgeons give this kind of disinformation to their post surgical patients when the nurses in the floor have a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT tale to tell. The surgeon told me I’d be up and at ‘em in THREE weeks post colectomy! It took four months for me to start my daily walks and it is six months now and I still have horrific bowel dysregulation - one day the runs, the next stuck, and now an”balloon” sensation in my lower left where the surgery was.

May I ask a question about having a stool test done. Over many years and maybe due to radiation of pelvis (cervix) a long time ago I have frequent diarrhea; my souse also does now after about 6 yrs ago radiation, anal cancer; we eat a reasonably plain diet and have diarrhea many times thru the week and take IMODIUM/loperamide. Anyway lately it has been so often and 2018 I had C.diff from too many antibiotics for bladder infections, it was awful. Now with us both going so much and I see mucous in my stool and wondering if we should both have fecal test for bugs, c.diff, Giardia???
QUESTION is though i have read not to take anti-dirrhea meds for TEN DAYS before stool test which is almost impossible.... what can we do??? I already have had 7 bms with only one IMODIUM ... if we stop taking imodium for ten days I dont know how to stop the diarrhea etc. Any suggestions please??

I am eight weeks out from having a sigmoidectomy. No cancer. It was due to having a smoldering area of diverticulitis.
I am trying to venture out and eat more fibrous meals. I don’t think the doctors really understand how it feels to be restricted in your diet and then have to get back into eating normal again.
It’s definitely a one thing at a time and one day at a time thing.
Things taste so good when you’re eating them but sometimes your G.I. tract and colon doesn’t always agree afterwards. So this is where I am. Just trial and error. Looking forward to getting back to eating whatever normal is. After not having nuts or seeds are popcorn for the last 12 years even with my Sigmoid: removed I don’t believe I will ever try to go back to eating any of those. I have been conditioned.
I have been trying to eat salads and dad has been nice. Very nice in fact. A little nervous trying broccoli for the first time. Don’t feel like being gassy. Might put that off for a few more weeks. Hugs to all on here. I’m sure you wouldn’t be on here unless you were seeking answers.