colon spasms

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foxbat7
foxbat7 Member Posts: 6
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been battling colon spasms following surgery to restore my "plumbing". These spasms trigger an urge to move bowels and often last 8-14 hours a day. I'm told this is because the area that received radiation treatment is not getting enough blood flow. Does anyone have any experience with managing something like this?

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  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #2
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    Hi,

    I'm sorry to see another new "face" but glad you found us. I'm sure there are some here that can answer your question. Did you ask the doc about a temp colostomy bag until they have this under control? HUGS and someone should answer you soon.

    Lisa F.
  • pepperdog
    pepperdog Member Posts: 96
    #3
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    My husband suffered horribly from similar symptoms during his radiation treatments. Trips to the bathroom were frequent, extremely painful and usually nonproductive. It was torture hearing him; it sounded like he was trying to have a baby. We were told it was 'proctitis' and was caused by the radiation. The surgeon & oncologist recommended immodium for relief.

    Was the surgery a reconstruction after a temporary colostomy or ileostomy? If so, I'd be interested in hearing from you. My husband has a temporary ileostomy and hopes to have it reversed after chemo is finished.
    Pepperdog
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
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    I know, I'm about to suggest something wierd....

    WATER, lots of it....without it, my bowel does VERY wierd things....even almost 1.5 years after surgery.....

    I try to drink 2 quarts of the clear stuff a day...if I don't WATCH OUT!!!!!
    Hummmmmm, better go get some NOW...didn't finish today's.

    Hugs, kathi
  • foxbat7
    foxbat7 Member Posts: 6
    #5
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    lfondots63 said:

    Hi,

    I'm sorry to see another new "face" but glad you found us. I'm sure there are some here that can answer your question. Did you ask the doc about a temp colostomy bag until they have this under control? HUGS and someone should answer you soon.

    Lisa F.

    Hi Lisa,
    Sorry this reply took so long.
    I had a temp ostomy. The spasms began following the surgery to take that down.
  • foxbat7
    foxbat7 Member Posts: 6
    #6
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    pepperdog said:

    My husband suffered horribly from similar symptoms during his radiation treatments. Trips to the bathroom were frequent, extremely painful and usually nonproductive. It was torture hearing him; it sounded like he was trying to have a baby. We were told it was 'proctitis' and was caused by the radiation. The surgeon & oncologist recommended immodium for relief.

    Was the surgery a reconstruction after a temporary colostomy or ileostomy? If so, I'd be interested in hearing from you. My husband has a temporary ileostomy and hopes to have it reversed after chemo is finished.
    Pepperdog

    Hi,

    Sorry this reply took so long.
    Yes, I had a temporary ileostomy. The spasms began following the surgery to take that down. I was told prior to the surgery that I'd be back on the volleyball court in 3-4 weeks. I'm not in my fourth month of hell.

    GI says spasms are from radiation. Radiology oncologist says spasms are a problem resulting from the surgery. Immodium is not really a solution to the problem. It'll plug you up for a few hours, but it doesn't solve anything. I'm told the more you use it, the more you need to be effective. My search is to restore myself to the person I was. Currently trying acupuncture, homeopathy, guided imagery and biofeedback.
  • foxbat7
    foxbat7 Member Posts: 6
    #7
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    KathiM said:

    I know, I'm about to suggest something wierd....

    WATER, lots of it....without it, my bowel does VERY wierd things....even almost 1.5 years after surgery.....

    I try to drink 2 quarts of the clear stuff a day...if I don't WATCH OUT!!!!!
    Hummmmmm, better go get some NOW...didn't finish today's.

    Hugs, kathi

    That's not weird at all. In fact, I've noticed a few days when I did hydrate sufficiently (purely by accident) that things improved. It doesn't help with controlling the BMs, but it does seem to reduce the urgent frequency.
    Thanks soooo much for the reinforcement!

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