Pain after colectomy

Hi guys, I had a sigmoid colectomy 9 weeks ago and have had ongoing constant pain since. Sometimes so bad I could scream! I have a redundant colon both left and right side. Surgeon removed the badly twisted left side. He was very chatty at first but lately he doesn't want to engage in conversation. Seems to be deliberately avoiding my questions. I'm getting so frustrated. Ignorance is not bliss!!

I have a constant burning pain around where the anastomosis is and when passing a stool sometimes the pain is so bad there I could pass out! I'm taking a cocktail of pain killers, targin, difine & lyrica but these only take the edge off. I'm worried about addiction or causing other damage. I've tried to reduce them but am always sorry when the pain kicks in with a serious vengeance! My surgeon took a look a few days ago and dilated the colon by 1/2 cm. it's made no difference. Stools are soft thin and frequent. Lots of gas also. This can be just as painful. I seem to have lost some sensation also. Don't know if its stool or gas passing.

I'm trying to carry on my life despite it but I'm in so much pain it's very difficult! I need answers and solutions but I'm not getting anywhere. Have any of you out there experienced any thing like this or have any clue what's going on? Sorry the post is so long but I'm going out of my mind!!

Hi vickie, thanks for the reply. How do I copy my post to the other forums u mentioned?
L

Jennifer,
I had an open abdominal colectomy for my colon cancer, I was in hospital for 6 days and in strong pain for easily as long as you are suffering (so sorry for you! )
For me, though, this was my 3rd open abdominal operation (multiple primary cancers), so not sure how much the previous ops contributed..

As to color/consistency/shape etc., of movements, in my case it was never "normal" again, only normal for me. However, what you describe sounds about right. It definitely takes some time to get used to your new "normal".

It is a learning process when it comes to what you can digest/eliminate best now. I had what I call "technical difficulties" with a lot of what you described. Have you got access to a nutritionist with experience dealing with folks who've had colectomies? That can be very helpful.

A lot of what you're going through is time related, but the pain sounds a bit too intense to be average, is there any other doctor you see that's involved in any of this aspect you can speak with comfortably? Perhaps a patient advocate at the hospital? Maybe some of these options aren't available for noncancer, I don't really know. So far all my surgeries have been cancer related, hopefully I'm not making option suggestions that aren't available to everyone (even though they should be).

I absolutely adore my surgeon(s), but they're not ideal for on-going issues that they can't cut to cure (lol). I wish I could be more help. Good luck & I hope things improve quickly for you.

Wishing you a speedy resolution to your pain.
Sincerely,
JanuaryGirl67 aka Kirsten
~~~~~~~~~~
DX:
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma, Stage IIb Dec. '06 (drop mets to cervix)
Cervical Adenocarcinoma, Stage IIb/c Dec. '06 (with background of sarcoma and a "cancer garden" their term, not mine!)
Colliod Colon Adenocarcinoma, Stage IIb Aug. '07 (mets to local organs)
Fibromyalgia '02
Severe Carpal Tunnel; Right wrist, 95%, Left wrist 76% '03
Complex Regional Pain disorder '07
Raynauds '02
Peripheral Neuropathy '13 (cause under investigation: ruled out vitamin deficiency, and maybe diabetes)
Moderate to Severe Degenerative Arthritis (OA); '05 (all small joints, most large joints & spine)
Bone on bone w/spurring; right knee '02
Lesion @ T6; unknown etiology (currently, present since at least '03)
Peripheral Edema (unknown etiology at present)

Hi Kirsten, thanks so much for the reply. I did speak to my GP and he confirmed what I thought to be the problem. Nerve damage. Said that nerves take much longer to heal than tissue and as my surgery was "'difficult and complicated" the nerves suffered more than normal. He advised me to just keeping taking the pain meds and the nerves will eventually heal. Can take up to 6 months tho! I'm taking movical and resolor for constipation. I did also speak to a nutritionalst but I found her advice too extreme and didn't follow through. I thought the surgery would resolve all my pain but it hasn't at all.

Oh! What did s/he say about the pain, though? Did they have any tips/advice/better meds for your pain? It sounds awful to be going through what you are. Bad enough recovery without complications...