Poo, Poo, Damn you, Poo!

tkd3g
tkd3g Member Posts: 767
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everyone. OK, we all have some sort of poo issues. I'm just about ready to pull my hair out and I need advice.

I am a 5.5 year stage 3 rectal cancer survivor. 95% of rectum removed along with 18 or so inches of colon and an assortment of various female parts while he was at it :-).

So, I figured the first year or so things would be weird and my "bowel" habits would be "not so normal". I dealt with that. Here I am at 5.5 yrs out and I am still having issues. Seems that I have to think about what I eat and drink, when and how much EVERY FREAKIN MINUTE OF MY LIFE!!! I have had to cancel numerous invitations to outings, shopping, dinners, parties... Do you sense the "itsy bitsy" frustration in my voice?

I have tried: No sugar, no crap food, no alcohol, no coffee, lots of protein, fresh fruits and veggies, no fruit or veggies, fiber, no fiber, water, lots of water, vitamins, exercise...
to no avail.

I did see a thread about probotics. So that is what I started last night. Udo's 8 strain vegetarian probotics.

If anyone has ANY advice, I would surely love to hear it. Thanks. I'll let you know how the probotics work out.

- Barb ( aka pool girl )

Comments

  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #2
    Ever thought of an ostomy....
    Just food for thought, I am sure you have had it cross your mind..
  • PGLGreg
    PGLGreg Member Posts: 731
    #3
    yogurt
    I think the probiotics might help. After an LAR for rectal cancer four years ago, my problems have been very mild, but for me, Activia yogurt seems to have reduced rectal gas somewhat and helped with occasional loose stools or diarrhea.

    --Greg
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #4
    Digestive Advantage
    I'll make this short, since my last, longer reply didn't show. Digestive Advantage IBS has helped me a lot. Try it!

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #5
    I used to be like that
    Barb,

    How are you GF? It's been a long time. The picture of me here is holding your relay banner.

    I was like you for about 18 mos. I thought I was going insane. I was back working but afraid to do anything else.

    I can eat anything I want. I love popcorn. I can go anywhere--beach, shopping, movies, etc. without worrying if I will make it to the bathroom.

    It has been 6 1/2 years since my diagnosis of stage 3 rectal cancer. Life will never be the same. I had all of my rectal tissue removed and after the ileostomy reversal I felt like I was living in the bathroom. I had constant anal pain from all the traffic. Life is good now.

    Email me if you want to chat.

    Maureen
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #6
    I have to add to my post-----
    Barb,

    My above post didn't post until several tries later, so I had to keep redoing it. As you know I had an ostomy done 18 mos. after my ileostomy surgery. If you want to chat email me,Maureen

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