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diarrhea post resection..

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Posted 8/11/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
So I posted a while ago about how I was suppose to get operated but it was this big mess...

Well I finally got my resection done in my small intestine on June 14(long story) but now I'm having lots of D. It FRUSTRATES me because its been like this since June and at first it was because I caught C. Difficle while on strong antibitotics at the hospital but now it's suppose to have passed and I'm still going up to 5x a day. Just last week out of no where everytime I would eat I was running to the bathroom and went 6x on thursday, 7x Friday, 6x saturday.... what gives?? I never had time type of problem of running to the bathroom with diarrhea 5x a day before my surgery, even when I was at my worst, so why now? I do no that because of the surgery they removed the valve that controls the water or something but how long do I have to go through this. This operation was suppose to help me, not make my life more complicated. Things that I was eating 3 weeks after my surgery like cheesecake (mmmmm) I can now not eat! On top of it, school starts in 23 days!!! I cannot keep getting up during class to go to the bathroom, not to mention I'm also a little bathroom shy in public places ughhhhhh!! I just needed to vent and also reach out to those of you who have had a bowel resection surgery....please tell me this will stop! :(

Posted 8/11/2010 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Are you on any probiotics at all or any other meds? Have you talked to your doctor about this? I don't blame you for being frustrated. After surgery, you want to be fixed~! Sorry you got c-diff. That's a tough infection. Did they give you any specific instructions on your diet for post surgery? You may have to take it easy with low residue, and easy to digest foods for a while. I hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 8/11/2010 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
thx jeannaeac, I didn't get a specific diet to follow, the dietician and my doctor both said to eat anything I want.. including McDonalds...
As for medications, I'm only taking entocort once a day and iron 2 times a day. I was on Vancomiocin for the C.Diff but I stop that a while ago. I've been wanting to try probiotics but I still haven't asked my doctor but I will on the 25th of this month.
Posted 8/11/2010 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you're still having problems! Maybe the c-diff is causing it? I had surgery last September, and my ileocecal valve was removed. I mostly have formed stools, but when I do get D, it's just once a day. So missing the valve doesn't mean a lifetime of D!
Posted 8/11/2010 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
cat_eyes,
I had a SB resection also followed by the lovely C-diff afterwards>:(It will take awhile for things to calm down. Especially since you just got off (or still on?) heavy antibiodicts for C-diff. After my surgery I no longer have pain, or obstruction....but, I do have urgency. Honestly, there are many days I go 4-6 times a day. Dr. said it's because the valves were removed. Probiodicts helps some. Check them out. I just buy mine at Walgreens. Good Luck!
Posted 8/11/2010 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
spookyhurst, thats good news! but did you go through a couple of months with D like me?
Posted 8/11/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Flowery, how long ago was your operation? We are in the same boat, everything you just wrote is what I'm going through too.
Posted 8/11/2010 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Cat_eyes...my re-section was in 06'
It came apart 7 hours after surgery and they had to go in again and take more SB off. I'll tell you having a re-section is the best thing I did because I can eat more things..not all things but more and I'm not in tons of pain anymore! But, I don't work anymore:( Going to the bathroom so many times a day it's just to difficult. It's hard for me to get nutrition so I have to supplement. I take alot of potassium and have had kidney stones due to all "D". I've had C-diff two times since that first time. Everytime I go to the hospital I get it! sigh!
I think your probably alot younger than me and I'd be hopeful that you hea better than me...I'm 42.
Also, don't let this discourage you going to school... nothing should stand in your way of an education. Even if you have to do it on-line...do it!
Posted 8/11/2010 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
No, I never had urgency or constant D after surgery. For the first 3 months, I'd have probably 3 formed BMs per day, but then it tapered off to usually just once a day. Occasionally I'll have a day where I have D (usually just once), and then the next day, I'll have no BM (the D must clean me out pretty good).

I follow the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), so no McDonald's for me ;-). But just recently I discovered a pattern. If I have a muffin or cracker made with nut flour, I will have a firmer BM the next day. If I don't have nut flour, my BM will be still be formed, but softer. I would recommend starting a food diary to see if you can come up with some patterns on what foods might make your D better or worse.
Posted 8/12/2010 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to chime in and say this is exactly how I was after my resection, it's totally normal. I don't remember how long it lasted but a few months, I'm sure.
Posted 8/12/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Did they take your terminal illium? If they did, you will most likely always have D. No one really told me this. I take Colestid to combat the D. Give your gut time to calm down and don't be afraid to talk to your GI.
Posted 8/12/2010 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone for commenting, it really helps hearing from others and comparing stories. No one else I know has Crohns so it's nice to know I'm not alone.
Spookyhurst, I'm 22. I think maybe its that I'm so darn nervous! I get nervous for just about anything and that could also be a reason why I get the runs of D also, combined with the surgery and all. I'm really dedicated to finishing off my last year in university but I'm a little scared because I'm not 100% healed yet. I don't want the stress of school to damper my chances of healing well.

Vadreamer1, I got 40cm of small bowl removed at the ilieum along with the valve in that area, I'm not sure if thats the same thing as what you mentioned. No one told me anything about side effects or what I might experience after surgery.
Posted 8/12/2010 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Removal of 40 cm of terminal ileum is enough to give you what they call "short gut syndrome"--which means that you run the risk of permanent D. It's very rare for a doctor to tell you about the possibility before you have the surgery. Wait a few months to see if your digestive tract calms down, which it very well may. If it doesn't, there are meds you can take to help control the runs--a whole variety of different things to try. People in this group can tell you what they've tried, and one or more of the remedies may work for you. In the meantime, eat mild, simple foods and limit your fiber intake--and stay away from seeds, nuts, husks, corn, popcorn, peels/skins, and too many raw fruits and veggies. Caffeine and alcohol can make the D worse, too. Hang in! Things will improve with time.
Posted 8/12/2010 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
cat-eyes, ask your GI about taking Questran. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholestyramine:

"Cholestyramine (or Questran) is also used to prevent diarrhea in Crohn's disease patients who have undergone post-ileal resection. The terminal portion of the small bowel (ileum) is where bile acids are reabsorbed. When this section is removed, the bile acids pass into the large bowel and attract water due to their osmotic effect, causing diarrhea. Cholestyramine prevents this increase in water by making the bile acids insoluble and osmotically inactive."

This could be just the thing to help you get through classes. You can also contact your school's disability services. I've read that people with crohn's can get permission to sit by the door so they can slip out to go to the bathroom (and leave a tape recorder to get the lecture your missing), as well as many other helpful accomodations.
Posted 8/12/2010 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cat Eyes,

I agree with spookyhurst - Cholestyramine is something which may put an end to your D. I had similar surgery with ileocecal valve removed & the D seemed to be the same as before surgery. A short while after taking Cholestyramine/ Questran the D began to die down. It was like a miracle for me. It's something you may have to take for the rest of your life but believe me it's worth it. I take 1 sachet per day and it keeps things under control. Definitely ask your doc about this.

Best of luck...
Lila
Posted 8/12/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I take Questran daily and have done ever since my surgery and I don't get D very often now. I highly recommend it.
Posted 8/12/2010 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
I must add that I hated it at first and said to my Dr that I preferred the D"!

It is a powder and you add it to a liquid so it took a few trys to get used to and cranberry juice makes it taste ok :-)

Posted 8/12/2010 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
After my resections (last one in 2005) I would have D 5-7 times a day. Once I started probiotics its down to 2-3 stools a day. Give the probiotics a chance. You can go to your local health food store and find the probiotics. I take Primadolphilus Fortify by Natures Way. You can find it in the refrigerated section.

Many take Probiotics such as Align, Culterelle, VSL#3, or other brands such as I do. Good luck and welcome!
Posted 8/12/2010 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
After my resections (last one in 2005) I would have D 5-7 times a day. Once I started probiotics its down to 2-3 stools a day. Give the probiotics a chance. You can go to your local health food store and find the probiotics. I take Primadolphilus Fortify by Natures Way. You can find it in the refrigerated section.

Many take Probiotics such as Align, Culterelle, VSL#3, or other brands such as I do. Good luck and welcome!
Posted 8/13/2010 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
thank you all for helping me out. I'm definately going to look into Questran and ask my doctor about it. I've been wanting to start probitotics but I was gonna wait to talk about it with my doctor before I buy them. I have just 2 question: does the Questran cause constipation? and can I eat stuff that might give me D while on it, or do I still have to avoid them? I gotta have my cheesecake!
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