When will I stop pooping

Simbluej
Simbluej Member Posts: 13
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I know almost all of you have experienced a resection. I had mine about 5 months ago. I must say I'm getting a little frustrated with the healing process. I had a few setbacks which has made my healing time much longer but I just wanted to hear stories from other people on how their surgery went. I still go to the bathroom a lot, some days not at all (the chemo tends to mess it up as well), but the worst part is that I get cramps all the time...sometimes they wake me up in the middle of the night. My docs always tell me that the healing process is different for everyone and I just need to find what works for me but I havn't had much luck with that yet. I'm trying a really high fiber diet now. Are all these things normal? Does anyone have any advice on what worked for them? Even if it just needs more time I'm fine with that I would just feel better if I knew all of this is what I'm supposed to feel like and if there is ever really an end in sight. Thanks guys!!!!
Julia

Comments

  • FRANTIC
    FRANTIC Member Posts: 106
    Hi Julia. My name is Fran (Frantic). I just read your story. WOW. You will find this network very supportive. I still have an illesotomy and have not been re-connected. But to answer your question there is another site which might be of help. It is called Shaz's Ostomy support. There are many on there who have other medical issues and you can also post on that site. They are most helpful also. High Fiber diet might help. What about staying away from dairy products??
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    I had my resection (removal of rectum and sig colon...12 inches gone) May of 05. I was just starting to get control of my stool, when my second cancer came on board...3 months...chemo again. You are right, chemo REALLY messes it up! Try upping your water. I can tell when I don't drink enough....cramps....I drink about 2 quarts (64 oz) a day.
    Here it is, 1 year later...and I have almost complete control over my bowel. That said, I have changed to eating 4-6 smaller meals a day, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegies...low red meat, and very little fried stuff...you WILL see an improvement soon....5-6 months is pretty normal...I couldn't use meds for either constipation or runs...my bowel was just too sensitive...sigh...so it was the natural route for me. Salsa can still send me to the toilet. You will find the foods that work, just like a new baby with starting solid foods....
    Hang in there, dearheart!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    KathiM said:

    I had my resection (removal of rectum and sig colon...12 inches gone) May of 05. I was just starting to get control of my stool, when my second cancer came on board...3 months...chemo again. You are right, chemo REALLY messes it up! Try upping your water. I can tell when I don't drink enough....cramps....I drink about 2 quarts (64 oz) a day.
    Here it is, 1 year later...and I have almost complete control over my bowel. That said, I have changed to eating 4-6 smaller meals a day, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegies...low red meat, and very little fried stuff...you WILL see an improvement soon....5-6 months is pretty normal...I couldn't use meds for either constipation or runs...my bowel was just too sensitive...sigh...so it was the natural route for me. Salsa can still send me to the toilet. You will find the foods that work, just like a new baby with starting solid foods....
    Hang in there, dearheart!

    Hugs, Kathi

    Never, I hope...everynight I thank God for all my orfices ..a little Senna Vegetable laxitive from Wal Mart helps to smooth things out when the poop starts lookinglike little cannonballs, and fiber is good..and WATER WATER WATER 64 + OZ A DAY. Wally World sells good water too.. bud
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    Hi Julia,

    I wanted to say that I just stopped chemo 3 months ago and still trying to find a "normal". The cramps might be not enough water but also might be gas. Did you tell your onc about it? Chemo does mess things up. There are over the counter gas releif pills. I had immodium stashed anywhere I went. I carried some with me too because I never knew when it would hit when on the chemo. The senekot is also good for constipation because it is natural and won't make you have terrible cramps. Good luck and know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

    Lisa F.
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  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    nanuk said:

    Never, I hope...everynight I thank God for all my orfices ..a little Senna Vegetable laxitive from Wal Mart helps to smooth things out when the poop starts lookinglike little cannonballs, and fiber is good..and WATER WATER WATER 64 + OZ A DAY. Wally World sells good water too.. bud

    Bud, you crack me up!!!! Thanks for the laugh!
    Hugs, Kathi
  • steelerfan
    steelerfan Member Posts: 26 Member
    Hi Julia, I first found this site the first week of August/06. I have gotten more information from all of the wonderful people on here than from my doctors. For as much as the docs know--people who have gone through it are much more helpful. I was diagnosed in 09/04, had chemo and radiation, surgery in 01/05 followed by more chemo from 03/05 thru 07/05. By the time I found this site, I was at my wit's end. I was still going alot and the urgency was unbearable. I was afraid to leave my house. I was taking lomotil alot everyday. I ran out of my prescription and it was a few days until I could get out to get it but I had some imodium in the house so I figured I was O.K. Well I felt a different off the lomotil. Not as many bowel movements and definitly less urgency. I am completely amazed that stopping the medication has made me feel better. My Mother used to say I was bass-ackwards and I think I am! I am just happy that I stumbled upon this or I would have continued on the lomotil. There are some days now where I don't have a bowel movement at all and I still have some bad days but the imodium helps then. I really don't have a problem with cramping. And as far as the high fiber, it is a fine line between just right and too much. My doctors said to play around with the dosage and I am doing that currently. It's true what some of the others said that you have to find what works for you--it's like trial and error. I just wanted to pass this along in case you are taking lomotil--try stopping it for a few days. You are still really early in your recovery and time does help, but I know how you feel. You want to be happy that the beast is gone, but nobody wants to revolve their life around going to the bathroom! All I can tell you is keep your chin up and keep trying different tips that everyone gives you. You might want to keep a log of what you eat and how much you go to see if different foods affect you differently. Good luck. It will get better! Mary