Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

I'm a 44 yo female and 2.5 months post sigmoidectomy from complicated diverticulitis, where I had an incomplete fistula and adhesions to my bladder and a perforated colon with abscess. I was in the hospital twice prior to this to since January, for 3-5 days each time , working to eradicate it with antibiotics.

Unfortunately, I have a metabolization issue with opioids, which means I don't experience any pain relief with them, but get incredibly sick when I take them (all of the bad but none of the good). So my pain post surgery was managed only with tylonal and ibuprofin - the most incredible pain of my life - like the final stage of childbirth with no breaks between contractions for days on end. I was wracked with pain, and wasn't able to move the surgical gas out even until something like day 5, despite hour long "shuffles" (hanging over a walker) around the ward. I mention this, because I wonder if this has caused some of the difficulty in recovering that I've experienced? When I left the hospital 7 days post surgery, it was against the OTs advice, as I wasn't able to walk more than 100 feet, and certainly not without a stroller. But I needed out, as I needed to be able to be in pain in private and was not receiving any help fr being in the hospital at all (The right decision, as at home I felt a little better by that evening).

So, rough time immediately post surgery. Along with that, I had a "tuck", like a couch cushion button, on the opposite side of my abdomen, in the upper right corner. It was *extremely* painful from day one after surgery (it felt like my guts were caught somehow and couldn't move where they needed to go). No explanation on what it was, but about 5-6 (?) weeks post surgery, it tore/released, which stopped the "caught" feeling and reduced the pain substantially. (More on that spot in a moment)

The recovery I have experienced doesn't look anything like what is expected in the literature they give you, nor anywhere online. Today, while I can walk about a mile at a rate of a 25 minute mile a few times a week, hills are really, really hard, and I am still very weak (have been doing physical therapy for a few weeks, which is limited to largely stretching still). My upper right stomach is hurting nearly as bad, if not as bad as right after surgery (just more focused), and as others have mentioned, feels like a hard ball that gets in the way if I bend, and has a stinging, sharp, crampy pain signature. BMs are fine, but several per day, and I when I have to pee, I have to pee right then!

I have to say, I have been extremely disheartened to have this recovery last so long, but have everything online sound like you are up and back to normal in 6 weeks. If I had better expectations set, I wouldn't have felt so bad about the recovery period. The (general) surgeon was not helpful in this regard - I can't help but think he doesn't actually talk to patients much during the actual recovery? My GP has no idea what to expect - I feel like I am blazing new ground on the recovery - surely someone could give a better roadmap? It's hard to know what is a serious issue, and what is just normal recovery, when there is nothing online and no resources to follow that match.

I guess my big question is - what did those of you who had the upper right pain (possibly "gallbladder" type pain?) experience in terms of recovery? How long did it last? What helped or didn't help? What was the cause for you?

Ironically, the actual connection point of my colon feels like it is healing as I would expect, and all of my external wounds healed at about 8 weeks (long because I was a little low on iron at 30 ug, after getting tested because my hair was falling out and I struggled to move easily at 7 weeks) - after a week and a half of iron supplements, I started feeling much better and my surgical wounds finally healed. I have about a 5-6" "zipper" over my belly button, 4 lap ports, and 2 drain ports (which was a hellish experience itself upon removal).

Am I alone in this crazy long healing experience, or are there others?

One thing I have discovered that has been amazing is silicone scar sheets - I've been using them for a few weeks now, and they are really reducing the external scarring it - visibly and tactically way better..

So, any advice to share?

@terrip, I'm sorry to hear that your husband is still experiencing constipation accompanied with cramps and sharp pain. Before taking any supplements, you may wish to consult of husband's doctor. Being that it is Sunday today, you could ask the pharmacist. You want to be sure.

@oumzaid, I'm only seeing your message today. Sorry for the delayed response. You've been through a lot. I can't imagine discovering bowel obstruction during pregnancy and coping with the loss of your newborn son too. I can imagine that you're now worried about a diagnosis, possibly of Crohn's or other digestive issue. I completely agree that your symptoms should be investigated. Have you had a colonoscopy in the meantime?

😔Your welcome. Forgot. The more yellow color best. Will be ready to eat and works great.

Bless you for the quick response! Of the list of things tried for the cramping due to constipation, Papaya is not one. After 3 days of not eating (as I cringe) to avoid the pain and impacts of earring. He is having eggs and I am off to find some papaya. Thank you so very much.

Hello
This 2 Items was the best for my Recovery 100%. Free Cramps and constipacion. Honestly My full Recovery started after 18 months ups and downs, Depending on what you eat and your Colon tolerate. The most important part I learning with this surgery wS, No let you be constipated because will be very anoyng. Papaya fruit works great for constipacion and healthy for your colon.

Hello. I came across this chat while researching for my husband. Had colon resection and removal of extensive adhesions. It has been 6 months and constipation is constant along with cramps and sharp pain. Have you received any news or feedback on your pain? Thank you.

Hi Collen, I've had a bowel obstruction emergency surgey( I had bowel obstruction symptoms for the first three months but I thought it was just pregnancy so I didn't check until it's gotten late and had to have a surgery) and had a ostomy on June 2019 (I was 8 months pregnant, my baby boy died 11 hours after he was born 😢). After they've taken the biopsy, it said possibility of Crohn's disease. However, I didn't believe it for I've had no symptoms. Now, it's almost a year after my bowel resection. Everything was perfect. Recently, I've started noticing some mucus in my stool and I somtimes feel pain in the resection area. I'm so worried I don't want it to be Crohn's. I think I'll do a colonoscopy and take a biopsy to check. What do you think???

@kathyoung, were you able to get some answers from your surgeon?

best of look ,,, have it all wrote down what you want to ask xx