Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with use of the antidepressants for chronic pain following partial colectomy. I know that they use low doses of the tricycliclics like amitriptyline but given that I tend toward constipation and the TCA's can cause constipation, I have been considering a trial of duloxetine(Cymbalta) an SNRI which might be helpful. Has anyone had experience with this?

Thanks for your good wishes. It really does seem to be individualized although we seem to share a problem with red meat but not chicken or pork. I still have my gall bladder although I am awaiting the results of a HIDA scan done last week because of "sludge" seen in my gall bladder on a previous CT scan. My pain doesn't seem gall bladder-like though. I have been keeping a food diary and I also have to watch not to eat too much at once, try to drink more water.

I had almost two feet of my small intestine and almost one foot of my colon removed 5 years ago due to colon cancer. Over the years I have had different problems all impacting my quality life. I have learned that it is a matter if anatomy and cannot be controlled with food although that is the one thing I can control and I keep trying. I hope you are able to find a way to live a somewhat normal life despite your shortened digestive track. I am sorry about the accident that caused all this but I'm glad you survived.

Since my BO surgery last November my digestive system is gradually improving.

I am now ingesting chicken and pork better but not turkey, beef and shrimp. I don’t have a gall bladder and What has helped me with breaking down fats and meat is a supplement called Oxbile.

To build up the good gut bacteria I take a probiotic daily. I stay away from fiber laxatives as for me personally they cause gastric discomfort.

My doctor prescribed Linzess and a stool softener daily which has worked great in keeping the pipes running smoothly. 😁
Crazy thing though I still have occasional excess (painless thank Goddddd) gas/bloating buildup but Gas X helps during those times.

I am very careful to avoid eating overly fibrous veggies as they can cause blockage and with the excess scar tissue still in my stomach, I want to avoid another surgery.

Another regiment that is very beneficial to me is intermittent fasting and drinking plenty of water.

Now I can be a bad girl sometimes and eat a little to much taxing my digestive system. My tummy spanks me real good when I do.😢 But small spaced out meals really is the way to go to avoid relapse symptoms.

Trial and error is the only way that has help on the road to recovery to find a suitable eating regiment.

I can only suggest that you go slow and keep a food and supplements journal to formulate a eating plan that address your current stomach issues. 🙏🏾I pray God you get better soon.

I have had trouble with red meat like beef (more pain) although pork and chicken seem OK. I am currently following a gluten and lactose free diet (my wife is a celiac so we have had to be gluten free for many years) and I tend to limit dairy so I am not sure if adding lactose free is making a difference but I do eat some yogurt, ice cream and drink some milk without significant problems. I had pain when I tried adding Benefiber so I just started trying Citrucel which is insoluble fiber. I'll see how that goes.

I had a total colectomy (laprascopic) almost 4 months ago due to motility issues. For about 10-15 years I had been having issues and have been to several doctors and surgeons for insight. I was using full half-gallon enemas, 3-4 times every other day or so for over four years to get anything to come out. I finally found an awesome surgeon at UCI Orange and after a variety of tests, decided on the surgery. It has been a struggle, but I'm learning some things that work very well for me and if i stray from them I have difficulties with pain, loose stool, difficult to get out and shooting pain above my main incision. Now things are going a lot better. I take metamucil (only 1 tablespoon with about a half cup of water to bulk up the stool) Before each meal along with 1 capsule of Loperamide 2MG (immodium to slow down and curb the diarrhea). Recently for the pain above my main incision which feels like its nerve pain and happens when I'm a bit gassy or after eating. So I'm now taking Gabapentin 300MG to stop the nerve pain. I took my first capsule last night before bed. I think it will take awhile to feel the effects but I'm hopeful. Good Luck, I hope you are able to find some relief.

Hi @pennye1 and @ron7614, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Both of you have had partial bowel re-sectioning and have had some pretty significant symptoms following the surgery.
@ron7614, you will see that I moved your comment to the ongoing discussion about the same issue. I did this so you can connect with others that are going through similar situations and you can get their take the experience.

I love that one of you have a nutritionist and the other is keeping a food diary.

Is there one thing specifically that you can't have anymore that you know to stay away from?

Hi! In early December, I underwent a laparoscopic partial colectomy for colonic inertia following failed trials of diet, Miralax, Linzess, Trulance, Amitiza and Motegrity. I had significant pain and basically no bowel movements unless I used magnesium citrate for 2 days which I would do after 2 weeks.
The surgery was complicated by an ileus which developed, although it seemed to resolve after 10 days in the hospital.
Since the surgery I have been experiencing daily abdominal pain in a band just below my navel with aching and cramping components, some gas. It tends to be less in the AM and worse in late afternoon and evening. My bowel movements tend to be small, soft and formed and occur in 2-4 very small amounts daily and require some straining. I have had repeat CT scans which appear normal except for some gall bladder "sludge". I have just had a gall bladder scan although the pain is not characteristically gall bladder like - awaiting results. My surgeon also did a "short" colonoscopy which appeared normal. I have been keeping a food diary but there is not a strong correlation with particular foods. I have been taking Colace twice daily. We retried Trulance two months after the surgery but it produced severe diarrhea for several hours so didn't continue it. Benefiber increased pain but I am thinking of trying an insoluble fiber like Citrucel. Also considering a retrial of Miralax but worried about gas or cramping as a side-effect. I have been drinking a lot of water, tried exercising but not a lot of help so far. I also use a heating pad which helps some. Trying to avoid use of pain medications or antispasmodics because of their constipating effects. Although I do not have diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or excessive amounts of gas, I did raise the possibility of SIBO with my gastroenterologist but he is not doing breath testing for SIBO right now because of COVID. Since it has now been over three months since the surgery, I feel worn down and discouraged by the daily pain. I would appreciate any thoughts anyone might have or shared experiences with this. Thank you!

My bowel resectioning was due to a car accident on November 1. The seat belt went into me at the time of impact. I lost 47 1/2 inches of my small intestine and part of my colon. It is now going on 5 months. At first my stools were runny and I needed to be close to the bathroom at all times. I take 1 Fibercon at night to make my bowel movements bulkier if that makes sense. It was very hard at first. My incision hurt and still feels tender to the touch at times. It healed nicely and did not have any issues. Now I eat small meals and never eat until I am full otherwise I may have more bowel movements. My digestive system is very touchy and I am not able to have raw veggies or salads, chocolate, caffeine, or carbonated beverages. Protein drinks go right through me and I only wish I could drink a protein shake. I was 112 lbs at time of accident and now I about 100 lbs. Not the kind of weight loss you want. I also became lactose intolerant due to the trauma. I have a nutritionist and have started to add more fiber into my diet. One thing I have experienced in the last couple of months is more gas. It can really make my lower abdomen sore and lower back. I tried the peppermint tea and GasX but am wondering if others have experienced this. Also, if others have experienced horrible smelling bowel movements due to it not staying in the small intestine long enough. Just wondering. I can empathize with you all that this truly changed my life.

Yeah I hope so too trimebutine canadian pharmacy can ship to you it’s working for me I feel so much better. Good luck to you.