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Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?
Three months after colon resection I had a severe stomach cramp this morning and have not had a bowel movement yet. This is the first time this has happened. So far things have been good.
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@hawkeye1976, like Teresa, I’m grateful that you returned to share that the pain was ultimately short-lived (although I’m sure the week felt long). This gives others hope and better understanding of the recovery process.
You’re about 3.5 months out from caecum surgery if I’ve calculated correctly. You said you’re feeling good again. Did your surgeon caution you about the amount or level of weight lifting and exercise you should do or how to gradually and safely get back into it?
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2 Reactions@hawkeye1976
I'm so pleased to hear that the problems you were having were short-term. It is good that you are feeling better now. Take care!
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2 ReactionsHi All, sorry for the late reply. The pain I was experiencing lasted about a week then suddenly disappeared. I'm wondering if it was even related to my surgery. I went down to see my surgeon and he said everything looked ok. No sign of a leak or hernia. So, not sure. I'm back to feeling good. Hopefully, it was just a blip in my recovery. Thanks all for the support.
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2 ReactionsDon’t worry. I was told that all colorectal surgeons say it takes at least a year to get back to normal after a colon resection, even a laparoscopic robotic one like mine. I was in extreme pain off and on for several months, especially on the right side where the robot arms went in to go to the left to perform the surgery. I would also have explosive bowel movements without warning. Both those issues have passed and it is now just over a year since my surgery. What remains are frequent bowel movements, ranging from 4 to 7 times over a 24 period, which are sometimes pencil thin or small clumps. I will be seeing my gastroenterologist soon but hesitate to have yet another CT Scan. Too much radiation.
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2 ReactionsI just read your comment. It has been just over a year since my laparoscopic robotic colon resection and I still have 4-7 bowel movements over a 24 hour period. I was told it would take about a year to go back to normal but I am not normal and am frustrated. I no longer have the urgent, diarrhea explosions of before but sometimes my stool is thin, pencil thin strips or small clumps. Other times, it is fairly normal in size and consistency. Wish I could say away from doctors but am making an appt with my gastroenterologist.
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1 ReactionHi @michaelfromfl,
I'm sure you are looking for some answers to this pain. This has been going on for a long time and you certainly need some answers. Adhesions, or scar tissue, can certainly be a problem after colon surgery. I would like to invite @thull to this conversation. She has had multiple colon surgeries. She may be able to offer some suggestions.
It certainly is your right to get a second opinion. If it were me, I would go to a multi-discplinary health care center like a university medical center or a facility like Mayo Clinic. These centers are also research-oriented and have lots of research behind their work.
Can you find a facility like this nearby for a second opinion?
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2 ReactionsWelcome @michaelfromfl. You'll notice that I moved your message to this ongoing discussion about colon resection surgery.
- Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/three-months-after-colon-surgery/
I did this so you can connect with fellow members like @john2871 @hawkeye1976 @robinmacdonald @louiel @hopeful33250 @shelfitz @fourof5zs and others.
@john2871 asks a good question. "What type of physician should I see? Should I start with an internist, gastro-interologist, the original resection surgeon?
I can imagine that you're both getting tired of chasing down the problem. I'd like to hear what others think, but my first suggest would be to get a second opinion at a large medical facility where specialists from different disciplines work together as a team to problem-solve.
Coleen,
After another episode, I'm writing to ask what type of physician should I see to begin diagnosing my issue. It definitely is a result of lifting so I suspect a hernia or a failed hernia repair (I've had several). Should I start with an internist, gastro-interologist, the original resection surgeon? Getting tired of chasing this thing down. Thanks in advance.
John Salacain
Hello,
I had a colon resection surgery for diverticulitis in August of 2020 and I am experiencing some pretty severe abdominal pain and digestive issues.
I was completely fine until about 6 months later. I woke up one morning with really bad abdominal pain and decided to get a colonoscopy, endoscopy, ct scan, the whole works.
One day, the pain went away and everything went back to normal. Fast forward 6 months and the pain came back in full force - I have tried several diets, been diagnosed with SIBO, Candida, Dysbiosis, Leaky Gut and even mold poisoning but my main problem is so much abdominal pain, especially in the colon with highly altered bowel movements (constipation, watery stools, hard lumpy stools).
I have also had a HIDA scan, CT scan for bowel obstruction, CT scan for adhesions which all came back normal.
However, when this problem started, I noticed these little 'knots' all over my gut which were very painful to the touch and I went to a place called Clear Passage twice and did intensive manual therapy for these adhesions and now they are gone but a big part of me wonders if there is some sort of adhesions or stricture that hasn't been detected by CT scan.
Just recently, I have been getting colon "attacks" where it feels like a knife or a gun shot wound to my sigmoid colon that lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.
I've tried a wide array of different diets including fasting and intermittent fasting, supplements, natural and prescription prokinetics.
Now my doctor is trying to convince me to get a permanent nerve block but that seems absolutely insane to me with everything that is transpiring and this gradual worsening of symptoms.
Sorry for the long post but I am very very desperate at this point and looking for any possible answers I can find as I am in pain almost 24/7
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1 ReactionHello @hawkeye1976
I would like to join, @colleenyoung in welcoming you to Connect. We have another member, @thull, who has had multiple colon surgeries and she may be able to add some thoughts about diet and activities following surgery.
You say that you have barely eaten in five days. Have you tried any nutritional drinks like Atkins, Ensure, Boost, etc.?