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Post by camille on Aug 31, 2007 9:19:40 GMT -5
I didn't have anywhere near what you had done, Cass, but I did have a lot of endo removed from my bowel in addition to adhesions removed from my colon/ovary/abdominal wall. This was done May 18. I still have loose BM's. I haven't experienced "emergency" diarrhea but I tend toward that rather than the opposite. I have never tried Psyllium so I can't speak on that, nor do I use Immodium (though I probably would in your situation). I have noticed that too much fiber - including too many fruits and veggies - is not good. I haven't been able to control my BM but it doesn't hurt quite so much if I watch the fiber intake. Our bodies can have "traumatic responses" to surgery - especially major surgery. Both my doctor and my Body Psychotherapist explained that I am someone who "processes life" through my intestines so I also have to always check my stress levels - especially those that I was previously unaware of because it manifested in the way of my stomach rather than my head or my heart. Something I have added is the homeopathic remedy - Arnica Montana - for muscle bruising and soreness. I think it is really helping my heal from surgery. I think a lot of my BM pain etc is just simply because the area is inflamed and "damaged" so to speak. Lastly, I do gentle massage on my belly - small clockwise circular motions with my finger tips starting in my lower right quadrant working my way up, clockwise, over, and down to my colon. It helps everything to relax. Don't despair - you had major surgery. Your body just needs time and care.
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Post by ouchy on Aug 31, 2007 9:56:20 GMT -5
Yayyy! Good luck w/ the psyllium. Make sure the immodium is OUT of your system first!
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Post by eo on Sept 1, 2007 17:22:36 GMT -5
Re: Does diet really help! « Reply #61 on Today at 5:21pm »
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I had bowel resection surgery for diverticultis and several infected abcesses in November 05. They removed 8 inches of my large intestine, 2 inches of my small, my appendix and a baseball size infected abcess in my large intestine.
I then had another minor laproscopic surgery in April 06 to remove scar tissue from the lower areas.
then just this past July 07 I had laproscopic removal of my left ovary and my tubes, Finding Endo behind it all.
digesting and 'going' are still issues with me, especially at the spots where they removed parts of my intestine.
I have had numerous obstructions where i have needed to go into hosp. get GI tube in nose, down throat and into stomach to empty, then resting with no food or water for days to let it open on its own, luckily every time it has, and i haven't needed MORE surgery.
still no appetite and still hard to find items to eat with no problems...
learning to live and deal with the pain as well, breathing, yoga ball....
althought also taking pain medicine still...
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Post by eosteckles on Sept 1, 2007 18:28:44 GMT -5
I took 7 weeks total off of work, but really needed about 8-9 weeks off, including the week in the hospital after the surgery.
When you can walk without too much discomfort, walk walk, walk, whether its even around your house in circles and back again or up your drive, street and back...the more you walk, the quicker you'll recover...
its not only the pain from the incision, but its muscle weakness and loss due to a week in hospital not doing much...
its a foggy weak head while the anesthesia wears off(takes awhile for all to wear off)
getting in a car and driving again, must be more alert, much slower with no meds even.
eating and digesting and finding food that works
going to the bathroom will be painful, even after the surgery, they may give you a stool softener...
an overall feeling of anxiety for many weeks for me...maybe due to expecting pain and not sure when or where it would hit, but it will hit hard once meds are worn off or just a general weakness that mimics anxiety...
one hint i can give is bring lip gloss, or soft chapstick to hosp. your lips will get very dry and bring gum, gum wakes up your intestines quicker after surgery(anesthesia)
they will want you to pass gas and eliminate before you are allowed to leave, which is why its nicer to speed that up a bit...
good luck
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Post by eosteckles on Sept 1, 2007 18:30:02 GMT -5
Ha! just saw that you posted the question in 2006.
Well I am observant. I hope all went well and you are not having many more issues.
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Post by cass on Sept 6, 2007 8:54:31 GMT -5
thanks for the hints eosteckles they are only 3mo$tnhs too late hehehe. I have chronic diarrhea as a result of my surgery and would love to hear from anyone who is suffering from this as a side effect of having a bowel resection. I have been told it should settle down in time - how long well nobody knows so until then i guess i have to continue sprinting to the bathroom and carrying 3 changes of clothes wherever i go until it calms down, IF it calms down. I didnt make it to the toilet at work today and i have never been more humiliated.. im not going to work tomorrow im going to stay home and rest as the diarrhea and constant crying as completely exhausted me.
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Post by minnie on Sept 6, 2007 10:25:12 GMT -5
Cass - big hugs to you. I know that it is humiliating for you but you colleague's must be aware and sensitive to your situation. If not then they are a load of old losers! Try not to worry about it, however embarrassing it is. The moment will pass and just rest up and home and do some things you enjoy. Lots of love to you xxx
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Post by isit5yet on Oct 17, 2007 10:45:59 GMT -5
cass,
so sorry to hear about your chronic diarrhea as a result of the resection. i have surgery in 2 days (intro on pg 1... i'm new). although i'm not, as of yet, having a resection, this thread is very important to me and lots of others i'm sure. i do have endo on my intestines. my fertility specialist said that he does not like to touch the bowel, if possible, because he finds that it often creates more problems. but i'm not sure what else someone in your situation would have done... seems like you had to do it.
before i knew i had all this mess, just several months ago, i was having bowel issues. i had an accident at work, too. i was so embarrased! i know it just bites! it just came out of nowhere for me. now i'm always worried that it will happen again out in public. this is a very personal question so don't answer if you don't want to... do you wear any protection? like depends? i thought about it but i've only had a couple of accidents in the last year. i'm constantly trying to prepare myself for anything these days!
i hope things have been easier for you. anything good come out of the surgery??
xoxo
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Post by AussieBird on Oct 17, 2007 20:32:43 GMT -5
Depends have a range of different products, not just full briefs: www.depend.com/products/products_female.aspFor anyone who is worried about accidents at work, who doesn't want to have to wear Depends every day, here are some ideas, for what they're worth: * Bring a cushion from home for your chair at work. Everyone will think you just like to be comfortable, but it will mean you will not be left with the problem of a messed up work chair. You can whisk the cushion away if the worst happens. * Bring a cardigan or whatever you'd like to call it, every day even if you don't need it for weather reasons. In the event of an accident you can tie it around your waist on the way to the bathroom. * Leave a scent spray in your desk incase you need to cover up any nasty odours. * Gravitate towards wearing dark colours below the waist. * Of course, keep a change of clothes handy. It's my hope that after having done such things for a while, you can realise you no longer need them and the anxiety will be gone.
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Post by isit5yet on Oct 17, 2007 23:28:07 GMT -5
thanks so much for such great ideas aussiebird
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Post by cass on Oct 18, 2007 1:11:50 GMT -5
hi there! sorry i didnt realise you had posted me a question until now! i completely understand how you feel with your bowel issues. To make it worse working at the same time that you are expereincing them. I was really embarassed and cried the entire afternoon. I was used to the accidents after surgery at home as i was literally fecal incontinent after surger for atleast 2 months.
Whereever I go now I take a change of clothes regardless of how i am feeling. I make sure i have imodium on hand as well ( i dont leave home without taking one!)
I wear a thicker more super pad when i have to in order to alleviate some of the mess if i have an accident outside of home.
Most importantly its important not to get too emotional. i cried and cried and got completely out of control when i was going through it initlaly. I found it only makes things worse and the minut i dealt with it rationally and would talk myself through it i would feel better.
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Post by lassy74 on May 14, 2008 9:31:52 GMT -5
Hi Cass,
I noticed in one of your past posts, you had mentioned you might do a day to day journal of your experience with your bowel resection. If you did, I would love to see it so I know just what I might be in for.
I know you have heard this before, but I don't know how you do it. Are you still struggling with the bowel symptoms, and is it a daily issue for you?
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Post by ouchy on May 14, 2008 13:00:36 GMT -5
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Post by cass on May 16, 2008 4:36:14 GMT -5
yeah i have a journal on here i havent updated it for ages though but it kinda gives a little insight into the nightmare i faced after surgery. yeah everyday is a battle but you just do it. i dont complain things could be much better but hey this is my life and i got to make the most of it regardles of how crap my bowels are. every day is different though. i had non stop diarrhea for about 6 months straight. started controlling it with anti diarrhea tablets but u have to be careful with them. i suffer from severe rectal pain, diarrhea and stomach pain. cant exercise as it hurts in the sensitive tum! i did go into hospital for 1 week 5 months after surgery (november 07) with a bowel obstruction which was excuciating! by far one of the worst pain experiences ever! yeah id like things to be better but i went back to work FT 3 monhts after surgery i have my moments but you got to focus ont he positives
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eht
New Member
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Post by eht on Apr 29, 2009 22:42:31 GMT -5
The after effects of your surgery sound much like mine. I had emergency surgery in August, 2008. I was totally clueless that my insides were in the mess they were in. I had severe pain which ended up being endometriosis had attacked my appendix. They did an emerg. lapro, but couldn't get the instruments in my body because as the doctor said, "Your abdomen is a field of kudzu." Think of a field of fast growing intertwined vines and that's what a kudzu field is. Anyway, my one hour surgery turned into 4. Appendix was removed, a large cyst off one ovary, several inches of small intestine and a section of my colon. Five months later in January, 2009 I went back in for a total hysterectomy. Everything was taken.....some of it with great difficulty due to the endo. My uterus was plastered to a length of my intestine. I've had loose stool and downright sprinting for the restroom on a weekly basis since September. I've been told it takes time, it will get better, and eventually my body will fix itself. I'm frustrated. I see no end to this. I left the classroom two years ago...my insurance was extended for 18 months, but has recently run out. The company will not accept my application for re-coverage because...duh....I've had surgery within the last year. HELP!
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