terminal ileum resection

I'm sorry this has happened to you! I haven't had a resection, so I don't really have any advice. My one question is have you tried to use less cholestrymine to see if that makes a difference?

Hi metoo50,

I've lived through three bowel resections, with the last one being the worst (slowest recovery - about six months). I know well what diarrhea is all about - not fun.

It's conceivable that the drug they've given you for diarrhea is causing some of the pain. It might be best to stick to the lighter drugs, like bismuтh (Peptol Bismol, Kaopectate) and imodium. Taking both is OK. It should give you at least some relief.

Other drugs to take - something anti-inflammatory. Perhaps Asacol (mesalamine). Try to avoid steroids if possible.

You didn't give us any info about what you're eating. After my surgeries, it had to be pretty bland soft stuff, like overcooked rice (the consistency of porridge) with an egg and salt. Perhaps some very well-mashed up tuna fish in the rice in small amounts. Well-cooked cereal (cream of wheat or rice). Milk is OK only if lactose-free, otherwise soy milk. No fruits, nuts or vegetables. No caffeine (coffee, tea or cola). Avoid grease.

You may not feel much like exercising, but just walking around the yard will help the bowels heal and prevent adhesions from forming, which could cause you yet another surgery.

This is pretty general stuff and maybe you've heard it all already.

best regards,
Roberto

Post Edited (ozonehole) : 10/23/2012 7:17:29 AM (GMT-6)

I just had a second small bowel resection in may.  The first one in 2008 my terminal ileum was removed.  Didn't really have that much of a difference since i was having at least 10 bm's a day anyways.  Stayed the same.  This second one, I had a resection at the reconnection site and a resection at the colon/small intestine junction.  That valve was removed.  Now i have 20+ bm's a day, pure liquid mostly or when it wants to be fun small particles of food.  I sometimes even go throughout the night.  Sometimes I do not make it.  I have had multiple accidents.  I do eat fast food on occassion but it's rare.  I eat at home and if I'm going out I don't eat or drink.  Even water will give me diareah.  This disease is so not fun.  Maybe you should speak to your dr. about adding a biologic like remicade, humira, or cimzia.  I'm currently on remicade and while it doesn't "cure" me by any means, it does reduce the frequency of bm's after the infusion.  I get an infusion every 6 weeks and I also get a higher dose.  The week before the infusion I flare hardcore and usually end up losing about 5-7lbs depending on how it feels like flaring.  My doc actually wants to add 6mp to the remicade but I am actively trying to get pregnant so I won't be doing that.  My dr. has suggested I take that powdery sandy stuff.  I tried it once and it tasted like I was drinking beach sand.  No thank you.  Any over the counter drug like immodium won't work unless I take more than the recommended dose and then i get to deal with the fun consequences like bloating and painful gas and can't go to the bathroom for an entire day.  I'd rather go all day.  You can't win.  I hope you and your dr. figure something out b/c I know exactly how you feel.  We just have to think it WILL get better.  Good luck to you. 

I remember when i first started Quaestran.. I was have cramps and bloating with gas.
It took sometime before the problems went away.. I'm now 3 years post surgery and am doing very well. I Had a scope 6 months after surgery and was told the disease was back. Went onHumira and scoped a year later and was told I had a very healthy disease free colon.
It takes time and in my case the disease came back and I needed stronger meds.
I would go back to the doctor and get checked out.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Two months ago I made a car accident and the surgeons have removed 1.5 m terminal ileum. Now I still have diarrhea 2-3 times a day. Can I ever be normal fungsion? If so, how long do? Thanks in advance