Small bowel resection---any input??

Keep us posted and I would be interested in knowing if your GI plans on keeping you on Humira or what meds you are on after surgery.

Immediate post-op was absolutely miserable (nearly intolerable) for me.  I happen to be one of those that ALWAYS has nausea and vomiting after surgeries---must be either from the anesthesia or the narcotic pain meds, OR a combo of both.  So, for the first NINETEEN HOURS I had severe nausea, dry heaving, and finally vomiting.  The abdominal pain from dry heaving was some of the worst pain I've ever experienced.

The GOOD news is that once the N&V was under control, I made rapid progress and was only in the hospital 3 days & went home on the 4th day!  I have reduced my pain meds, and am making some progress daily.  I see the surgeon for a follow-up visit on 8/17. 

I'll be contacting my GI doc in a week or so to find out when he wants me to go back on Humira.  Since it's quite common for Crohn's to recur, my GI said it's important to stay on medication to hopefully slow down the process.

Have any of you experience that horrible nausea & vomiting post-op?  Any suggestions?

Thank you so much for your support---you're so sweet!  Hey--I'm hoping for a lifelong remission!  Am I asking for too much?? :)

You asked me to keep you updated, so here goes!  As you know, I had my small bowel resection on 7/30.  I was making some progress each day, but then seemed to stay at the tender abdominal stage for awhile and it didn't seem to be getting any better.  But then something MIRACULOUS happened.  On 8/30 I started up my Humira again, per my GI's recommendation, and a couple of days later, my abdominal tenderness suddenly subsided!!  Could be that the Humira quieted down all the inflammation!?

Since my stricture area has been removed, I am now allowed to branch out food-wise, but am supposed to take it slowly, and only small amounts at first.  I can tell you that this has been a very slow process.  One day my bowels are fine, and then another day I'm having D all day.  I'm actually having MORE bowel issues than before surgery, but I think it's because my intestines and body are trying to adjust to the changes. 

Thanks again for caring, and for all your feedback!

Hi Mike!

Ahhhh, yes, baby steps!  How soon we forget---thanks for the reminder.

Hope you, your wife, and Abigail are all doing great!

Take care,

Cheryl

Hi Mike,

Glad you and family are doing great!

Thanks for your clarification of 6 months (vs. 6 weeks).  I will be patient.

Cheryl