New here- had stoma take down 4 mo ago- Have questions

Hi I am new here and I have a few questions about issues that I am having post resection.  I had my first bowel resection in June 2010, a stoma revision in July and the stoma take down in August of 2010.  I was just wondering how long it took to get back to "normal" if there is such a thing with Crohn's.  I had a small bowel series done and it showed a little bit of narrowing and still an abnormal bowel pattern back in November.  Since surgery I have had bouts of runny watery stool with occasional somewhat solid stool. Is this all normal?  My GI said that the narrowing can still be post surgical considering all that I went through.  I have also recently have had some bright blood in my stool post constant D and stomach cramping.  I feel like I am going crazy with fear of a flare this soon and the fear of ever having to go through another surgery. I am on remicade and methotrexate.  Has anyone else had this happen or is it common post surgery and for how long.  Thank you

Most have the explosive D for a few weeks after surgery, but some folks can end up with D for good. You can ask your doc for something like Questran to help bulk up your stools.

Some narrowing after surgery is normal, as the reconnection site heals it tends to narrow a little. After a year after my resection, my GI told me this was common. But I am now 5 years out from my 2nd one and back into remission.

Also it can take a full year to fully recover from surgery. So you will have some issues to adjust to. Since my surgery I have much softer stools. Not so much diarrhea but more like soft formed stools.

Are you on probiotics at all? After surgery we tend to have an inbalance of bacteria and the probiotics will help to even out the bacteria field. I take Primadolphilus Reuteri by Natures Way and it works great for me.

Also, how is your diet? I know after my resections my diet changed alot. I recommend you keeping a food diary of which foods bother you and those that agree. I personally have followed a low residue diet since my resections, and it works best for me. Hope I have helped a little.

Hugs!

Well the second surgery was because a now fired GI told me after my first emergency resection that I no longer needed to take maintenance meds, so I didn't. Well I ended up having to have another only 3 years later. So now I am a good girl and ALWAYS take my maintenance med Asacol.

Thru personal experience and many others have experienced the same thing, it is important to treat this disease at all times. I personally consider diet and medications as complimentary of eachother in treating Crohns. Having the emergency surgery the first time was very traumatic for me then having another only 3 years later has taught me to take better care of myself and just like you it drove home just how bad this disease can get if not treated. Hugs!