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Posted 3/3/2008 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
I m not here to whine, but I want to know if anyone else is going thru the same things as I.

I had surgery for total colectomy and permanent illeostomy in april 2006. I spent 8 days in hospital after surgery than 2 days later had to return to hospital for 8 more days due to an infection. All is well with stoma and all. I am better off now than I was. Yet I struggle with my new lifestyle. I have quite a mound where my stoma is and it sticks out quite a ways even before it may fill with gas or stool, than it really sticks out. My energy level is at an all time low even tho I take vitamins. I take an antidepressant and yet I am still in a fog most days. I have been to doctors, counselors, psyhiatrist, etc. I did go back to work for a year than was let go because I was not the same person I had been the previous 10 yrs. I don't disagree with them either.

My sleeping pattern has not been the same as I wake up to check my bag quite often even tho I have not had any accidents in quite some time. I take sleeping pills to help me rest. Some days are good , most days are not good at all.

Again I am not a whiner nor a complainer. I just want to know if anyone else is going thru the same things as I.

I am 54 and a big guy 6 ft 290lbs and I just want to have my life back.

 

Posted 3/3/2008 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
Nash,

Have you had your B12 levels checked? Are you on B vitamins? Just curious...

Hope others have some good hints for you. It took me a while to adjust, but I finally did. I have blue days, but even normal people have down times too.

Keep your chin up. And stay active on this forum. We can be "fun" too!
Posted 3/3/2008 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Peggy, I cant say for sure about the B12 levels. I have had a complete check up with labs and all. All the tests came back normal. I have had blue days and the rest bad days. LOL
I still function well, just in short bursts.
Posted 3/3/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Please check with your doctor -- just ask them to send you a copy of your labs... that way you will know what you have had checked and will have a record for yourself.

Do you know if you have had any of your small intestine removed? Your ileum? As I understand, the ileum is where most of B12 is absorbed and if you do not have that any longer, it is hard for the body to absorb B12 from your foods no matter how well you may eat. B vitamins are essential for overall mental health. Deficiency can lead to confusion, irritability and depression.
Posted 3/3/2008 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Dear Nash:

I have suffered from depression pre and post ileostomy. Thee surgery is life changing and the emotional and psychological effects should not be taken lightly. Certainly, as Peggy wisely points out, nutrition plays a big part, but you may need to reassess the meds that you are taking to treat the depression. Their are many new meds out there with better efficacy and fewer side-effects.

I think it also helps to get out and move around. I'm far from an expert but I know I always feel better even if I just go for a walk.
I think its something about endorphines (sp?).

We are about the same age and I know that just regular aging is tough to deal with let alone having a special condition. But, life can still be good as is definately worth fighting for. We still should have a couple of good years ahead of us and I for one am going to do my best to enjoy them to the fullest.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing. We're pulling for you!

Richard
Posted 3/3/2008 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
I am also not the same person I was before surgery and now seven years later I realize who I am now is who I am going to be. I often think that a lot more than my colon and rectum were removed that actually some of my personality went with the body parts. I try to keep in mind that although I am now different at least I face it with excellent health. On occasion I miss the old me but I think I have come to accept the new me.

Sue
Posted 3/3/2008 7:59 PM (GMT 0)

Richard,

Walking is an excellent idea.  I agree with you about getting out and getting about. 

When the weather doesn't cooperate with your plans, check out your local indoor shopping malls.  They open our mall doors at 8:00 a.m. even though stores don't open til much later. 

I walked the malls one winter and thoroughly enjoyed myself --  even though I was probably 20 years younger than the majority of the folks there.  I met some really nice folks, and a lot of them were walking for therapy for knee replacements or hip replacements, some walked a very fast pace, so just were "window shopping", and it was amazing how many of them knew each other.  It would be a good excuse to get out a few times a week first thing in the morning to get your day started.  I've even participated in their Tai Chi class held right at the mall - again, I was the youngest one attending at the time... most people my age were working full time jobs during the day.  Loved Tai Chi!

Posted 3/3/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Nash!
I'm going through exactly the same symptoms as you, with anti-depressants and therapy not helping much.. I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and get out of the house as much as possibly. Walking my dog has been a release, do you have a dog? They help :)

That and going out for a few beers with my mates, it's good to hang out with people so you don't feel too isolated. :)

Hope you feel better x x
Posted 3/3/2008 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for replys I am going in Wednesday to have my B12 levels checked. I am confused irratible and all that. I do have a loving wife and 2 dogs, plus stray dogs and cats that stop by for visit. lol
I do workout on occasion in the house. I do have a gym. I need to use it more tho. It was 70 out today so I did go out a bit. I did switch anti depressants lately to see if I could get better results. We shall see.
Posted 3/4/2008 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
taking extra b-12 won't hurt, also some folic acid can help with fogginess.
anyway, i started taking b-12 because i was sooo tired, and it did help
as for being depressed, i am sometimes, but not because of my bag. Becuase my husband is very annoying, and we are very poor! anyway, one thing i find that helps me is to get in the car and drive and turn "angry" music up as loud as it will go! that doesn't actually mean like a song about being angry, just something that has a good bass level, right now my song is Finger Eleven, paralyzed, sometimes it's a Bush song, or sometimes it's someone else, just anybody i can sing too, really really loud, that's not a song like a slow ballad or a happy beat. There are older songs that work great too, expecially stuff from the late 60's early 70's.
Posted 3/4/2008 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
When I have one of those days at work when the Presbyterian Women are complaining about something stupid like their coffee not being hot enough... I'll come home, crank up the song "American Woman" and sing "Presbyterian Woman! Stay away from me-e-e!"

I agree, it really helps!! :-)

B-12 works great, too!
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