Any input appreciated!

[KimchiiFiend]

I had surgery in late November to have all my colon removed due to 4 major strictures. My rectum was spared and so they attached the ileum to it to create a small reservoir. Granted it's only been two months since surgery but all this D is affecting me and bringing me down. I heard of people needing 6 mo. to a year before their bowel habits feel "normal again."

I wonder if I was wrong in not opting to get the ileostomy since I had a choice to do on or the other...Have anyone experienced this and eventually went the ileostomy route?

Thanks for your time :shifty-t:

 

[Terriernut]

I take it that you were diagnosed with UC?

I am wondering why they didnt give you a temp illeostomy until things got under control. What did the GI and surgeon say?

I can bet all the big D is getting you down!!

 

[KimchiiFiend]

Terriernut, actually I've been diagnosed with Crohns. You know I also kind of wondered why I wasn't left with a temp ileostomy because I read stories of many people who had a similar surgery with one. I can only assume maybe it has to do with the way they sutured,stapled, attached the ileum and rectum together.

After many tests and several consultations with the surgeon he recommended total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Ultimately he said because I was still young he would rather do that than an ileostomy.

Some good has come so far since the surg, the obstruction signs are gone and I've stopped losing weight, (although gaining is another problem lol), but now that I've been reading some literature on this operation for Crohns I've really wondering if I've gone and done the right thing.

Crap. I ought to move this thread. Thanks for listening tho.

 

[Terriernut]

I know that Dusty's kids have had a lot of luck with psyllum husks with the big D. I am going to try them myself. I would almost kill someone to have a poo that 'plopped'. Perhaps thats my and your problem...we havent sacrificed enough to the poo gods? :ylol2: I'm personally willing to sacrifice my very obnoxious next door neighbour!

I can only hope they expect you to return to 'almost normal' even with crohns through medication and diet. Careful what you wish for with gaining weight, next thing you know you'll be on 40mg of pred and looking like a fat chipmunk. But then again, that isnt a bad thing in our cases is it.

Oh...I wish you well my sweet!!!
:kiss:

 

[KimchiiFiend]

Funny you mention the psyllum husks, I bought some and have been taking about half the recommended dose to begin with. Guess I'll have to bump it up since it's not working. By the way, you had me rolling with laughter with you "poo that plopped" comment! Haha thanks I needed that!

 

[Rain]

I am glad you have posted this! I currently have an ileostomy but I'm going to get reconnected in two weeks. I really want to get reconnected. Have you been working or going to school? Have you had accidents? You don't have to answer these questions of course, but I am scared! I hope you get better soon!! Do you think eating cheese would help make it firmer?

 

[KimchiiFiend]

Hi Rain! I'll try to answer your Q's the best of my ability.

I am currently not working. As for accidents, I've had many many close calls! For about the first month post op , I was using the bathroom almost every other hour. I would wake up in the middle of the night several times having to go. There was one time where I did sleep through the night and woke up to an unfortunate mess :blush:. I recommend a pad for your bed that first month! I'm only 2 months post op, so please don't be discouraged by that first paragraph though! Your ability to hold in your urges will get better with practice and time!

As for cheese firming up the stool, I would say maybe. I've been told to avoid dairy due to the lactose while recovering ; hard cheeses have low amounts of lactose, so I guess eating a block might plug me up? In the mean time though, I have been following BRAT, banana, rice, apple (no skin) and toast, to hopefully firm up my stool. Also Dr recently recommended Psyllium Husk fiber supplements. It's still early for me to tell but hopefully they will work so I can get back to some exercise and running errands without constantly thinking about going. Whew!

There were many studies on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ that indicated in the long run people had pretty good success with this operation, so I'm going to pray and hope that you and I will be one of those percentages!

I wish you luck and please keep up posted on your future operation!

 

[Rain]

I will post again when I have my surgery. Thank you so much, it means A LOT to me to get support from someone who has been there.

 

[Rain]

keep me posted on your progress as well! you can email me if you want to at [email protected]..I hope you get back on your feet fully..SOON!!

 

[Rain]

I'm now on my second day post surgery. I haven't had any gas or bm's yet. I've been given a blue pill to help get my bowels moving again. I'm sore all over of course and cannot get up or shower just yet. I'm ready to get this catheter out and these ted hose as well. Until then I will be stuck in bed. How soon after operation did you have gas and bowel movement?