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The changing face of CD. Is this normal?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/7/2008 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Well I have to admit that on a daily basis I feel MUCH worse after my bowel resection than I did before.

Prior to the resection I had dry infrequent stools. With the occasional obstruction.

Since the opperation I have had D non-stop on a daily basis. I have to be close to a restroom at all times. This has been a huge change for me!

Also the other thing that concerns me is that prednisone is not helping the "D". It did open me up post obstruction the the D continues to flow.

Does pred help with d or just the obstructions?

Posted 5/7/2008 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
I never had much D before my resection either, just pain from the stricture, bloating. After the resection I've had D almost daily. It's finally stopped, but it's taken over 6 months. From other posts I've read, its a pretty common thing. The resection was still worth it though, the pain is so much less.
Posted 5/7/2008 11:24 PM (GMT 0)
It will take some time for your bowel to settle down. I don't recall when you had your resection so am not sure if it is time to be concerned yet.

My other thought is about your resection. What part of your intestines did they remove? If you a resection that removed part of the terminal ileum, then your diarrhea could be due to another problem. I won't drone on about what it might be until I find out what part of your bowel they removed.
Posted 5/7/2008 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone will help with diarrhea, if your disease is active and is the cause of the D. If, however your diarrhea is for
another reason, such as if you resection was in the ileum area and included the cecal valve, then no, it really won't help.
How long ago was your surgery? I'm wondering if you just need time to heal properly...
Posted 5/7/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Redspot The pred as dunny said helps solid the stool . I don't have a huge problem with D .How are you doing for pain now I don't have any yet and hope I go along time without any. I did notice alot of people seem to be having D after there surgery. What kind of diet are you following now I stayed with low roughage.lol gail
Posted 5/7/2008 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
I had 63cm of the small bowel removed on feb 3rd. they were able to leave the last 15cm of the treminal illieum in place..

Thanks

Posted 5/8/2008 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
At the 3 month mark, it might be a tad soon to expect your intestines to have readjusted to the shock of the surgery. However, it would seem that the diarrhea should have slowed down and not be getting worse.

The lower end of the small bowel, the terminal ileum, is where bile salt is reabsorbed. The gall bladder releases small amounts of bile salt everytime you eat. This aids in digesting food. When the body cannot reabsorb the bile salts, it leaves the small bowel and goes into the colon. Bile salts acts like a laxative when it gets into the colon.

How does one know if bile salts are the culprit? Usually [though not always] bile salt diarrhea causes watery diarrhea and urgency shortly after eating. Sometines, a person even has to leave in the middle of a meal because of the diarrhea. Does this sound like what is happening to you?There is a medication that is very effective in helping bile salt diarrhea.
Posted 5/8/2008 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Ides, thats pretty right on....

What exactaly is the name of the condition and medication. Is there a specific stool test to be done for this?

Thank you!

Posted 5/8/2008 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Questran soaks up bile salts, a lot of people take it after surgery and also having their gallbladder removed. I have a lot of problems with bile salt diarrhea, and the Questran works like a dream!

Wouldn't hurt to talk to your doctor about it, see if it might be a good option for you!

Posted 5/8/2008 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Redspot - it is called bile salt diarrhea. It also sometimes occurs after someone has their gallbladder removed. Since the terminal ileum is where bile salts are reabsorbed, it can happen after a resection of that area. The medications that help contain an ingredient called cholestyramine. Most are in a powder mixed with a liquid. There is one called Colestid that is in a tablet form. If you think this might be your problem, no harm in talking to your GI about it. Good luck and let us know what he/she says.
Posted 5/8/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Did the Dr. remove your cecum??? it is at the end of small intestines, beginning of large intestines...this helps the stool be more formed and if it is removed may cause some of those problems. just a thought.
Posted 5/8/2008 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I had a bowel resection of the terminal ileum (10 inches removed), and my gallbladder removed on April 21, a little more than 2 weeks ago.

I have always had a problem with D and it is continuing now. I'm hoping that when the bowel has time to heal, the D will disappear. Don't remember what a normal bm is. Meanwhile, I'm continuing to follow a low residue diet. The dr has prescribed Colestid (the pill form of questran), and I'm hoping that will make a difference.

Don't really mind the D too much. Just wish the pain and terrible spasms would stop!
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