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Surgery disappointment - advice please

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/12/2010 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Its been a while since I posted as I had a resection early in September and have had nothing but trouble since.  The op went fine, strictures removed and active Crohns according to my surgeon.  Spent 6 days in hospital and was ok when discharged.  Twelve days later I was readmitted with bad low pelvic pain which turned out to be an infection which meant a load of antibiotics and had to have a drain put in, another 6 days in hospital.  I was discharged with the drain in, which was removed (painfully) as an outpatient.  three days later I was back in hospital with chest pains and trouble breathing.  My heart rate was racing and blood pressure in my boots. Once they ruled out a heart attack and blood clot they did a heart scan and said I had Pericarditus (inflamation of the lining of the heart).  Bad luck and nothing to do with the op, go home and take paracetamol for the pain which I did.  I then developed a really bad cough and couldn't talk without coughing myself sick, I was having trouble getting up the stairs as I got so out of breath.  Went to the GP who took one look at me and phoned the hospital and told them to expect me. Must admit I thought he was being a bit over the top but I was feeling pretty rough and went straight there.  Once there I was put on an ECG machine, again my heart rate was through the roof (higher than before) and I was rushed through to resuss. That was scarey.  Anyway after tests and horrid drugs I was found to have pneumonia and spent another 7 days being treated with loads of antibiotics and drugs to get my heart rate down.  i have been home for 3 weeks now and am just getting a little energy back, I have lost quite a bit of weight and am beginning to get an appetite.  The problem is that I am still having to run to the loo several times a day, food seems to go through very quickly.  I was having a lot of probs while I was taking so many antibiotics but I had hoped that once I stopped taking them I would have more stable bowels.  Having so many problems and feeling ill for so long has been bad enough but this is making me feel like it was a waste of time having the op if I am no better. SorryI sound so negative, am I expecting too much too soon ?  I am supossed to go back to work after Xmas but am dreading it, partly cos I am still so tired and partly cos I can't spend all the time in the loo.  My GI saw me just after the op and said he would see me in about 6 months - does that seem a long time ?  Any advice would be really welcome     
Posted 12/12/2010 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like you had quite a few complications from surgery. Sorry to hear that! ((((You've had a tough go of it)))) Pericarditis and pneumonia are pretty serious and really take a toll on energy. Pneumonia is a complication of surgery because of the pain meds and anesthesia, we don't breathe as deeply as we should. At the hospital, they had me use a breathing thing that I had to blow in to make sure I was breathing deeply enough. I still had some congestion and asthma symptoms for a while afterwards. I have asthma in the winter anyway, so I guess it was time for it to start.

I think antibiotics can be really tough on some of us. There is a list that I cannot take or they will send me to the bathroom with cramps and diarrhea in just a few hours. I refuse to take certain kinds now.

If it makes you feel any better, I had night sweats and fevers after my surgery and a UTI. I go back to work tomorrow.

Have you tried any probiotics at all? It may help with the diarrhea. A lot of people like culturelle. I take VSL #3, it is expensive. The antibiotics can really take a toll on the good bacteria in your GI system.

Don't hesitate to contact your docs even if they told you they'd see you in 6 months-:) If you aren't feeling well, they need to know it and you need relief. Are you on any maintenance meds for your crohn's? Good luck and god bless. Maybe some of the seasoned crohn's folks will have some more info for you soon. These are just some things I learned from my recent surgery experience. I am very lucky that my colitis is gone (hope, pray) and in remission.
Posted 12/12/2010 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
I agree get on some good probiotics, they will help some with the diarrhea. I am wondering if you should do a stool test to see if you developed a CDiff infection from all the antibiotics. Hugs and hope you feel better!
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