Post-op colonoscopy

I just had my 1st post-op colonoscopy since my resection in February. It was the first colonoscopy that has been completely normal since I was diagnosed 12 years ago, so I'm very excited about that. But, I'm also disappointed that my new base line includes pain and bile salt diarrhea. I know I should just be happy about the disease being in remission but I was kind of hoping that the diarrhea and pain would be related to a flare that we could treat and not something permanent. My GI was visibly happy going over the results with my husband and I and I think I rained on his parade a bit with my lack of excitement. Anyway, I just needed to share with people who may understand and I guess it will take some time and messing with some meds to adjust to my new normal.

Hi Caia,
I think I am having very similar issues. Prior to the resection surgery, the GI was saying I had a shot at a 10 year remission. I was imagining feeling "normal," as in no D, no pain, and eating whatever I wanted. My surgery was in May, and this has not been at all true yet. We are messing around with antibiotics for one week a month on the suspicion that it is bacterial overgrowth, but it isn't really helping yet. I haven't had my follow up colonoscopy yet, but I suspect that I do not have active disease. I am still having to significantly alter my life and plans around my stupid gut, and although I am better than prior to surgery, I'm still disappointed. I have no useful advice, but I just wanted to chime in and let you know I get why you are not doing a happy dance!

Hey caia...you note you tried questran. I take the generic cholestyramine in packets. Was wondering if you can up the amount you take a day? I play with the amount I take depending on if my stricturing area is acting up or not. Also, did you try different times of the day for taking it. I find it works best first thing in the morning even though my GI was pushing that most folks take at night. I totally understand that bile salt acid on the tushy feeling.

My scopes all show normal too and I ahve nasty joint pain. Turns out some of it was from water retention, but I know it is also very CD related. And I don't take any biologics. Still looking into how to fix it and am considering azulfidine as another poster recommends.

Hope you are feeling more spry soon!

Oh caia I thought you had the opposite problem...that the questran wasn't stopping the D enough.  Yeah I am down to a teaspoon a day of the cholestyramine.  Hoping you can get a balance on the welchol!