Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I haven’t experienced what you have , but I did have the sigmoid resection also . They also took 18 inches of my colon out because of diverticulitis. It really took me a long time to get over it because I had scar tissue which is extremely painful . I really hope you get better soon ...just take one day at a time and get through it . Maybe someone else can relate better than I . Still wish you the best !

Hi everyone, I came across this site by accident. I had a sigmoid resection December 3, 2020. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis with a bladder fistula. Four months post op. I have since developed urinary, fissures and a hemorrhoid. The burning pain that I am experiencing is just awful. My urologist said have a glass of wine and live your life. General surgery told me I am healed. Went to my GP she put me on estrogen cream to easy the virginal pain along with anusol for the rector discomfort. Using estrogen about 6 weeks seems to help a little. The anusol has only been one week. After surgery I was told 4-6 weeks and I should be good a new. Well if this is the new me, I would like the old me back. I am an active 68 year old female. This has put me into such a state of depression and anxiety. It really is just wearing me out. I do have regular bowel movements. Try to eat a lot more fiber rich foods. Has anyone experienced what I am going through? If so, any advice?

Thanks for responding to my post. Yes. I feel it is all trial and error with my digestive system. It really has impacted my life and ability to eat the things I once loved. Hoping it gets better as the months go on. Enjoy your day and stay well.

I have to stay away from salads, chocolate, and carbonated beverages. I eat about 8 times per day and eat the same things. Pasta, rice, breads are great. I eat a lot of carbs or bulkier items.

@ron7614, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to a study article with your message. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe. Clearly the link you wanted to post are not spam, so allow me to post it here.

– The Use of Antidepressants in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other Functional GI Disorders https://www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/2017/10/IBS-and-Antidepressants.pdf

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.