1. < Colorectal Cancer

Problems months after colon resection surgery: What Helps?

Posted by joyce1 @joyce1, Feb 25, 2017

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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gsh | @gsh | Apr 12, 2022
In reply to @shelfitz "Still in extreme pain 9 months post sigmoid resection My wife had her sigmoid removed in..." + (show)
@shelfitz

Still in extreme pain 9 months post sigmoid resection

My wife had her sigmoid removed in March 2021 due to chronic diverticulitis. She got infected which required antibiotics and ultimately ended up back in the hospital with C-Diff. She has not recovered since and has lost over 40 pounds in 9 months. She has rectal pain and pressure which prevents her from sitting normally. And lately, she is feeling a strong burning sensation in her lower abdomen. We've gone to more than one specialist, but they don't seem concerned even after we plead with them for help. Her latest CT scan in October showed some fat stranding in the anastomosis area so everyone say she's fine. We're both completely deflated over the lack of concern and she has little belief that she is going to get better.
Has anyone else had these symptoms (mainly the rectal pressure and lower abdominal burning)? If so, how did you treat? We are desperate to find her some relief. Any guidance would be so greatly appreciated.

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Hello, so sorry to hear of your pain and ongoing problem. I too had my sigmoid removed almost 11 months ago. I am currently under the care of another surgeon for an extra set of eyes on me. I have not been able to learn why I still have ongoing lower abdominal pain in the resected section. I too experience a burning pain most everyday. If I learn anything new on how to help our situation I will share it. I have had CT, MRI and no answers. All my best!

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gsh | @gsh | Apr 12, 2022
In reply to @jodiepage "It has been two months since I had the robotic surgery to remove the sigmoid colon/resection...." + (show)
@jodiepage

It has been two months since I had the robotic surgery to remove the sigmoid colon/resection. I don't think I realized this was going to affect everything in a new normal. I get more answers here than I ever received from medical. When does the lump on the left side go down and when does all the flatulence subside? Am I going to have to live with the side effects for the rest of my life and time any social or activities as the diarrhea and gas are constant?

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Hello, I too have had the worst luck getting answers from medical professionals. It has been almost 11 months since I had my surgery and I still experience flatulence on occasion. I did not have this problem pre-surgery. I am still experiencing burning like pain on my lower abdomen. I believe it takes a lot longer to heal than was explained. I am going to see another doctor for another set of eyes on my condition and I will share what I learn if anything. I pray you heal a lot faster. Thank you for sharing your story.

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1 reply
kathyoung | @kathyoung | Apr 13, 2022
In reply to @gsh "Hello, I too have had the worst luck getting answers from medical professionals. It has been..." + (show)
@gsh

Hello, I too have had the worst luck getting answers from medical professionals. It has been almost 11 months since I had my surgery and I still experience flatulence on occasion. I did not have this problem pre-surgery. I am still experiencing burning like pain on my lower abdomen. I believe it takes a lot longer to heal than was explained. I am going to see another doctor for another set of eyes on my condition and I will share what I learn if anything. I pray you heal a lot faster. Thank you for sharing your story.

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I’m sorry you are experiencing so many side effects. I had a sigmoid colon resection 18 months ago. I experience more flatulence than before the surgery and still get minor pain in the lower left quadrant. Other than that it has improved my quality of life.
I am 74 and just retired prior to the surgery. Being at home a lot makes things so much easier. My hat goes off to those of you who are in the work force and raising your family through all this.

I do have a question: my son is 50 and considering have the same surgery. He has had many bouts of diverticulitis. My question is, would anyone reading this that has had the surgery do it again? I have difficulty answering that for him as I had it relatively easy whereas I know many of you have had difficulties.

So any input would be appreciated. I will pass your wisdom on to him.

Thank you! I really hope everyone is feeling a bit better!

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2 replies
gsh | @gsh | Apr 14, 2022
In reply to @kathyoung "I’m sorry you are experiencing so many side effects. I had a sigmoid colon resection 18..." + (show)
@kathyoung

I’m sorry you are experiencing so many side effects. I had a sigmoid colon resection 18 months ago. I experience more flatulence than before the surgery and still get minor pain in the lower left quadrant. Other than that it has improved my quality of life.
I am 74 and just retired prior to the surgery. Being at home a lot makes things so much easier. My hat goes off to those of you who are in the work force and raising your family through all this.

I do have a question: my son is 50 and considering have the same surgery. He has had many bouts of diverticulitis. My question is, would anyone reading this that has had the surgery do it again? I have difficulty answering that for him as I had it relatively easy whereas I know many of you have had difficulties.

So any input would be appreciated. I will pass your wisdom on to him.

Thank you! I really hope everyone is feeling a bit better!

Jump to this post

Hello, my short answer to your son is no to surgery. If I had to do it again I would have explored more holistic options to heal the gut. Also, I have recently explored more meditation/Ti chi classes to send healthy energy to my gut and wish I had done this prior. Attached is some information I found recently. I hope this helps. Thanks for your reply

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shelfitz | @shelfitz | Apr 14, 2022
In reply to @jodiepage "It has been two months since I had the robotic surgery to remove the sigmoid colon/resection...." + (show)
@jodiepage

It has been two months since I had the robotic surgery to remove the sigmoid colon/resection. I don't think I realized this was going to affect everything in a new normal. I get more answers here than I ever received from medical. When does the lump on the left side go down and when does all the flatulence subside? Am I going to have to live with the side effects for the rest of my life and time any social or activities as the diarrhea and gas are constant?

Jump to this post

I'm so sorry that you're still having issues. My wife had a sigmoid resection due to diverticulitis 13 months ago and is in worse shape than before. We've been to all the major hospitals in the Philadelphia area until one doctor cared enough. It turns out that she has a stricture at the anastomosis which is preventing stool from traveling normally to the rectum. She is also very low on B12. Next month, she will undergo a procedure to dialate the stricture. I can tell you then if its been successful. But at least she finally has some hope. Unfortunately, its getting worse worse over time. She can't even sit normally or drive anymore. A day out for her is to go to the doctor.
I hope you feel better soon.

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1 reply
kathyoung | @kathyoung | Apr 15, 2022

Thank you so much for replying. I will pass it along to son. Looking forward to reading the alternative!
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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monicaeve | @monicaeve | Apr 15, 2022
In reply to @kathyoung "I’m sorry you are experiencing so many side effects. I had a sigmoid colon resection 18..." + (show)
@kathyoung

I’m sorry you are experiencing so many side effects. I had a sigmoid colon resection 18 months ago. I experience more flatulence than before the surgery and still get minor pain in the lower left quadrant. Other than that it has improved my quality of life.
I am 74 and just retired prior to the surgery. Being at home a lot makes things so much easier. My hat goes off to those of you who are in the work force and raising your family through all this.

I do have a question: my son is 50 and considering have the same surgery. He has had many bouts of diverticulitis. My question is, would anyone reading this that has had the surgery do it again? I have difficulty answering that for him as I had it relatively easy whereas I know many of you have had difficulties.

So any input would be appreciated. I will pass your wisdom on to him.

Thank you! I really hope everyone is feeling a bit better!

Jump to this post

It’s tough to answer. I had the surgery 1 1/2 yrs ago. I still have pain, food issues, bowel issues, gas - I’m always shocked when I realize the day has gone by with no pain. with that being said - the pain isn’t as severe as diverticulitis and I haven’t had an infection in the last year. I do wish I had tried other options before it got so bad but once antibiotics stop working - you don’t really have a choice. I’m 46 as an fyi.

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1 reply
gsh | @gsh | Apr 16, 2022

Thanks for your feedback. Always appreciated. I did learn from a GI doctor that helping the colon from being distended may help with pain and gas issues. She advised me to alternate MiroLax with Metamucil should help keep soft movement of the bowels. All the best

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snowboardinc | @snowboardinc | Apr 16, 2022
In reply to @brian77 "Hello, I had this surgery on my sigmoid colon on July 21st 2020. After, that, and..." + (show)
@brian77

Hello, I had this surgery on my sigmoid colon on July 21st 2020. After, that, and 6 months of chemo I am coming upon a year. I have just about given up feeling normal again with all the bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, etc. Some of your testimonies have made me at least feel like I'm not alone. I know one of you said after two years you now feel normal. I don't know if I have another 13 months left in me. I'm 44, still out of work, off chemo just about 3 months. I don't know how to adjust to this with unpredictable embarrassing bowel issues that will certainly interfere with my work. I will say this is the first place where I have found others like me talking about this. Thank you.

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I too had surgery in 2020(August) and still have pain around the repaired site when digesting most meals. I am finally spending less time in the bathroom. The first year i was in there 6-10 times a day. Luckily I work from home. Hopefully, you will gain some regularity with time and learn to balance when to eat and to venture out. Hang in there!

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1 reply
kathyoung | @kathyoung | Apr 18, 2022
In reply to @monicaeve "It’s tough to answer. I had the surgery 1 1/2 yrs ago. I still have pain,..." + (show)
@monicaeve

It’s tough to answer. I had the surgery 1 1/2 yrs ago. I still have pain, food issues, bowel issues, gas - I’m always shocked when I realize the day has gone by with no pain. with that being said - the pain isn’t as severe as diverticulitis and I haven’t had an infection in the last year. I do wish I had tried other options before it got so bad but once antibiotics stop working - you don’t really have a choice. I’m 46 as an fyi.

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Thank you for your reply. As a mom it’s difficult to see your son have the same issues and have to go through the surgery. He has the same surgeon which gives me
confidence. I just hope he has the same outcome as I did.
Thanks again for taking the time to reply.

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