Difficulties post-ileostomy reversal

steved
steved Member Posts: 834 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
As many will kow I had my ileostomy reversed three weeks ago and things are generally going well. Frequency of motions is slowing and scar is healing well.
I have however had a couple of bouts of crampy abdominal pains lasting a day or two and on a couple o foccasions some vomiting. It feel s a bit like things get obstructed and back up when this happen and it may be related to trying to reintroduce fibre.I am a bit worried it is a stricture or adhesions but it is not presistent and after a night of vomiting a feel okay today.

Has anyone else had this problem or something similar and how did they deal with it. Due to see the surgeon in a couple of weeks and have talked to the colorectal nurse (with little benefit). Any advise is welcomed.

Sorry for not having been very active on this site lately but been busy recuperating. Will make more of an effort.

Thanks fo the help,
Steve

Comments

  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #2
    Steve -

    Good to hear from you again - sorry you're having problems. I can't really help you with any advice. I can, however, tell you you have been missed here on the site - especially by scouty. She was just telling me the other day she needed someone to throw-down with! (just kidding... ?)

    Hopefully what you're experiencing is just a normal healing process and it will go away. What does your doc say? What does Stacy have to say? I know she had a similar reversal.

    Get well and stay that way, Steve.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #3
    spongebob said:

    Steve -

    Good to hear from you again - sorry you're having problems. I can't really help you with any advice. I can, however, tell you you have been missed here on the site - especially by scouty. She was just telling me the other day she needed someone to throw-down with! (just kidding... ?)

    Hopefully what you're experiencing is just a normal healing process and it will go away. What does your doc say? What does Stacy have to say? I know she had a similar reversal.

    Get well and stay that way, Steve.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob

    Yoh...good to see yu back Steve. I was commenting the other day how you must be related to my "convict" Welsh ancestors coming from Wales.
    Hope things improve mate.
    By the way Sponger is talking you n me might haf ta fight over "my gal" , Scouty!!! lol!
    cheers buddy, Ross n Jen
  • Shandle
    Shandle Member Posts: 204
    #4
    Hi steve! Sorry I can't help you with the reversal thing, but I did miss you! Glad to see you back on the site, but get rest too. I hope you feel better soon. Maybe too much fiber?? Take it easy and check back with the Dr. Huggs ~

    Wanda .. ala xcw
  • oneagleswings
    oneagleswings Member Posts: 425 Member
    #5
    Hi Steve:
    My husband had an ileostomy reversal and he ran into a couple of blockage issues from a small kink in the bowel where they "plopped it back in"- he was given a drug called Maxeran and it seemed to do the trick- not sure if that would be right for you but see what your Doc says.
    Bev
  • RunnerZ
    RunnerZ Member Posts: 185
    #6
    Steve, I did not have an ileostomy, but after my surgery for rectal cancer I did have bouts of the symptoms that you are describing. In fact, one time it landed me back in the hospital. They did a CT scan, but the symptoms were ameliorated by drinking the CT prep...which cleared me out. I believe it is just your system trying to regain peristolsis...the parts have lost their coordination, and you can get a blockage, even just temporary, and the pain that goes with it. Those bouts stopped after a month or so, but I was really careful with my diet for awhile, and lived o Cream of Wheat for a week or so. Excercise used to help keep things moving too. I won't kid you, recovery was a pain in term of bowel function, but now 6 years later it works pretty well. From speaking with fellow survivors, I feel better that I am not the only one who struggled at times with a balky system after cancer surgery. Glad to hear that you are doing well...and you certianly are. Drink plenty of water and be healthy!
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #7
    Hi Steve,
    I have been thinking about you recently, and hoping all was going well with the reversal.
    I haven't had a reversal (I have a permanent colostomy) but the symptoms you describe reminded me of the early weeks after my surgery. One time I ended up at the hospital for suspected blockage -- which wasn't really blockage. I think you are probably right that it might be your system getting used to increased fibre....my problems were probably when I was reintroducing a higher fibre diet. I wish I could tell you what helped me -- but I think it was just Time.....
    Good luck,
    Tara
  • rejoyous
    rejoyous Member Posts: 259
    #8
    Hi Steve,

    I'm glad to hear from others that what you are describing sounds very much in the norm. I'm just writing to wish you continued good healing. Are you able to exercise at all? (Walking, you know, is what I swear by for getting the bowels to even out, though I haven't had a reversal.)

    I can't believe you're apologizing for being away from the site--you've had a lot to contend with. But I'm glad you're back. It's always great to hear from you.
  • FRANTIC
    FRANTIC Member Posts: 106
    #9
    HI STEVE. GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU. I HAVEN'T POSTED IN A LONG TIME, BUT HAVE BEEN READING THE MESSAGES. I HAVE AN ILLEOSTOMY STILL AND ALSO PART OF THE DESCENDING COLON WHICH IS DISCONNECTED. I AM STILL WAITING TO GET THIS REVERSAL AS IT IS GOING TO BE A BRUTAL OPERATION. THEY WOULD HAVE TO RE-CONNECT IN TWO PLACES. THE SMALL INTESTINE TO THE TRANSVERSE COLON AND THE DESCENDING COLON TO THE RECTUM. IN REFERENCE TO YOUR QUESTION, YOU MIGHT WANT TO GO ON "SHAZ'S OSTOMY SUPPORT GROUP". THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE ON THAT NETWORK WHO HAVE HAD REVERSALS. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

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