HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

TOTAL COLECTOMY PART 36

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic locked
12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/9/2010 8:15 AM (GMT 0)
hey gals, just thought i would open it. Rosemary, good to have you back, glad you had fun! Jenise, happy to hear your bowels have finally woke up. havn't talked to my boss yet, i'm supposed to see him sometime during this week. will see. uncabull, hello and welcome to our board. i had a total colectomy due to colonic inertia as well on Aug 2009. about 2-3 months post op i was starting to be so constipated again and could eat only soft-liquid diet, that seemed to help, but at 6 months post op even that didn't help and i couldn't have a spotenous bm, so i'm now with an ileostomy and i love it. but to your question, as far as abdominal pain, the colectomy is not supposed to cause any abd pain. i guess her other health issues are causing her symptoms. i hope her drs can help her with that and she finds relief soon. have a great monday everyone!
Posted 8/9/2010 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for starting a new post for us Hodaya.  Just wondering if there is an update regarding your work situation. 

Myself, I am going to work today - 12 days post op.  I may not last the entire day but if I start by working 1/2 days I'll be happy.

Rosemary - Welcome home!  Was it a good trip?

Uncabull - Welcome!

Jenise - I'm really glad that your bowels are waking up finally.  Please continue to take it easy so that you will heal properly.  I was given lifting restrictions but the amount I could lift was not stated.  Is that dumb or what?

Posted 8/9/2010 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Val, girl, i cannot believe you're going back to work only 12 days post op...... trust me when i tell you this, you're the first to go back to work this early. i spent 18 days at the hosp alone, and was in no shape to go back before it was 5 weeks post op. if you feel ready and can't stand staying at home resting (as should), so just please promise me you'll be careful and don't over do it! you must take care of your self hon! i'm not getting back to work yet, and even if i feel ready, i'm not sure i'm going back to the same place. will see how my meeting with my boss goes.
Posted 8/9/2010 5:04 PM (GMT 0)

Val,

Good luck at work.  I agree with Hodaya, don't push yourself!!

I have a question..has anyone had rectal spasms since surgery?  I've had them just a few times, but last night, after eating alot of junk (Dairy Queen Blizzard and then fritos!) I felt like I needed to go, but couldn't.  I used an enema, and about 20 minutes later I had the worst rectall spasms...took a hot bath, then a cold bath, was able to expel some stool, but it took 2 hours and a glass of prune juice to make me feel better.  The spasms are so painful!  Has anyone else had them?  We leave for a short weekend cruise next week and I'm hoping I'll be able to eat without alot of problems.

Jenise,

Even though 8 feet of colon is gone, I still feel like my tummy is bloated alot of times.  I'm not skinny, but not fat either, but I do have a pouch on me that is hard to hold in.  I don't feel like my stomach is ever skinny, darn it!!

Hodaya,

Hi sweetie!  Glad you love your ileostomy....so good to know:)

Janie


Post Edited (Janiepain) : 8/9/2010 1:45:59 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/9/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Val,

Yeah, trip was fabulous. Am catching up on bills and resting today. Exhausted. Good luck at work. Go real easy. 12 days out is not very much.

Hodaya,

Good luck with the work situation and Tracy, good luck with that too.
WIll post more when I "wake up." Going down for a nap. Rosemary
Posted 8/9/2010 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
Janie, you know, i completely forgot about it, but now that i think of it, i remember having rectal spasms few months post STARR, it was really aweful, it was hard to sit, stand, move. it went on for about more than 6 months, it was just so painful! when i went to biofeedback, that PT did some manual work on me, it was VERY uncomfortable, but ever since then, i never had the spasms again and am so grateful for it. maybe you should look into it, i mean the manual treatment the PT do, it could help you.
Posted 8/9/2010 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Janie, ugh, I hate rectal spasms....YUCK...I have had them off and on for 10 years. I even had the dreaded rectal spasms when I used an enema since this surgery to get rid of the bloody mucous that had accumulated in my rectum. OUCH That was a few weeks back and I am hoping I don't have to go through that again. But, supposedly, the colon continues to produce mucous that needs to come out periodically! Well, I am just hoping I only have to deal with rectal mucous expulsion every 3 months or so....I am unsure how often it is for most people???? Does anybody know?

My stomach also looks FAT! EWWWW I hate it and it seems even worse since this surgery. The lower part hangs even worse since I had to get another bikini cut with this surgery...

Val, wow...you are already going back to work? Just take it easy and don't push yourself too hard. How is your pooping?

Rosemary, glad you made it home.

I spoke with Lizzie and she is in tremendous pain...please continue to pray for her....

I am doing great. I am getting more used to wearing the bag and have found myself even forgetting about it as I go about my day. Today, me and my husband went to run some errands and of course, STOMEE started acting up and farting and gurgling as loud as ever...luckily he is so happy I can just poop and fart that he just laughs along with me....I am not the least bit embarrassed!

I go see my doctor Thursday and we will discuss when I will return to work. I think it will be best if I go back Sept 7th, which is only 2 more weeks from August 16th....With me being a bus driver and being responsible for 70 kids at a time, I feel I need to be 100% to return to work....I am about 90% right now.

I had a little scare Saturday when we went shopping...I got dizzy, hot, and nauseas....it was dehydration because I didn't drink enough and we were walking around and it was hot and I didn't have a drink with me....So, lesson learned....I need to always carry a drink with me. I think I need a bigger purse to carry all of the crap that I need now.
Posted 8/9/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Tracy,

welcome to my world of dehydration. glad you are better. that colon mucous keeps getting produced.

Today I had to spend all day working on passing it. I think prior to my 3 month Africa trip I will go for a suctioning. then it takes a long time for it to build up. the more colon ileostomates have, the more mucous gets produced. As we both have our whole colon, we produce a lot. We also have disuse colitis. Just the state of friable insides of colon; that is what makes the mucous enema so painful and bloody. A suctioning is REALLY painful and I actually pass blood rectally afterwards for that night, but it's quick and gets rid of a ton of mucous. I really should do it prior to Africa which is Oct. 12-Jan 5. Praying I stay OK.

PRaying for Lizzie. WHen is her surgery to make the ileostomy? Is it AUg. 12 or 21? Rosemary

P.S. I loved visiting Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and England because they are COOOOOOL countries. No dehydration issues there.
Posted 8/9/2010 11:06 PM (GMT 0)

I am having a D&C and ablation this Friday.  I was just thinking does anyone know or think that my small intestine could seriously slow down by being put under and having gas pumped into my uterus?  All of the sudden I started worrying about a possible ileus occurring.

Jen

October 26, 2009 Total Colectomy with Ileorectal anastomosis

November 17, 2009 emergency exploratory surgery for infection

Numerous hospital stays after for dehydration and slow motility in the small intestine

Posted 8/10/2010 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! My name is Quinn and I've only posted a couple of times, but I read and keep up with you all regularly.

Last time I posted, I had gone through some tests and knew my problem (colonic inertia) and was asking for suggestions of next steps since my gastroenterologist wasn't helping. Someone recommended I go to Cleveland Clinic...and I did. I had a colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis on July 23, 2010. I have been doing really great so far. I can go for walks and live normally already. So far, it's the best I've ever felt. I've never woken up for so many days in a row and felt the same (normal) everyday. That never happened before the surgery. When I eat, I don't feel those horrible effects and pains immediately, which is great. The nurse said she couldn't believe I was feeling this well already, so that's encouraging.

So far, bowel movements haven't been uncontrollable at all. It's been very easy to control, but I could still tell I had to go. At first (and it's only been a couple weeks so far), when I would eat, I would go right away. Then, as things have settled, I started going a few hours after I would eat. Today is the first day I'm feeling a little full. I haven't yet had to take anything to go (like Miralax). I know a lot of people on the forum seem to use it after surgery. I read a couple posts from the past where people said they notice they have to take more and more to go as time goes on. Has anyone else experienced this? Or are there any other opinions? I didn't think Miralax caused a dependency, and I certainly don't want to take it if others experience this.

I also have another question. After surgery so far, I've had to push pretty hard to have a BM. It started right away in the hospital. I don't know if it's abnormal or not since I didn't have many natural bowel movements with my colon, so I don't have much to compare it to. Is there a possibility that I could have a rectocele? It wasn't mentioned in the defecography results or anything before surgery. I know there isn't any way for anyone to tell from what I've told you, but can anyone shed any light on what it would feel like?

Thank you for any input. It's been great to be able to read all of your posts and gain knowledge and encouragement from you all.
Posted 8/10/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Quinnleigh, glad to hear that things went well. I know my surgery was different than yours, but I have found that when I have that full feeling, walking helps ALOT! You may want to be careful about eating foods that are too rich this soon out also. A low residue/low fiber diet was recommended to me for 6 weeks.

Has anyone heard from Jacoby? I just thought about her today and remembered she had severe constipation after her total colectomy....hmmm, wonder what her doctor did about that?

Rosemary, I think they moved Lizzie's surgery to September 3rd.....

Jen, even though I had the uterine ablation, I am unsure if it can cause an ileus since this was done several years back....I do know it was performed outpatient and I cramped the day of the procedure, and was totally fine the next day....overall it was a breeze and I did not even have to take a pain pill afterwards...Good luck!
Posted 8/10/2010 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
QuinnLeigh-

You may have some form of pelvic floor dysfunction (if your stool isn't rock hard). The muscles that hold everything together "down there" may be weak from trying to push all the time. It most likely is actually squeezing back together instead of releasing when you push.

Talk to your doctor about it.

Rosemary -

SO JEALOUS! I am going on an Alaskan cruise next month and I don't think I've been so excited for a trip in a long time. I hate this 50+ days of over 90F heat here in Atlanta. My electric bill is horrible shocked !
Posted 8/10/2010 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
ouch!!!! this morning i'm having HORRIBLE abdominal pain, but i think i know the reason.... i dared and ate some cheese, which i must stay away from. now i'm cramping bad. took couple of pain pills, so i'm hoping it'll pass. not nauseated yet, so that's good. Tracy and Rosemary, i have only 20 cm of rectum + 10 cm of small intestine that are beneath the stoma. i'm 1 month post op and i already feel pressure in my lower abd, esp in the mornings. it just feels like lots of stuff (probably mucus and maybe even some stools?) is stuck in there, it's very uncomfortable. but you girls have most of your colons there, so i can't even imagine how much mucus builds up for you. Rosemary, what does your dr think about the bleeding you're having after the suctions? is it bright or dark blood? so sorry to hear about that. oh i'm cramping so bad now, it's a blockage like pain. but there were couple times that i had it, took pain pills and it passed, so i'm hoping it will this time too. i also drank my pear juice, so my bag is starting to fill, but even so there's output, i'm still cramping :( LOL Tracy, i'm glad your hubby is so cool with your loud stomee :) :) he sounds like a sweet guy. but is it loud often for you? it was for me too, but only in the first 2 weeks post op, now its really quiet. maybe it's something you're eating? i'm glad you overcame the dehydration situation, but don't forget to drink drink drink ;)) oh thank goodness, the cramps are starting to fade, probably the combo of the pain pills and pear juice flushing everything out, phewwww.... i'm so relieved. Jen, good luck, i know nothing about that procedure, but i hope everything goes well. Quinn, welcome! glad your surgery went well and you feel so much better :) sounds like you have an outlet issue. a rectocele doesn't suppose to cause you to strain so much, ask your dr to check for anismus or intussusecption. the system slows down with time, but if you're still having bms, it should be ok. how many times a day do you go to the b/r? is it just a tiny bit or a significant amount? you should feel you're able to empty. also are you staying away from fiberous foods, like whole wheat, fresh fruits and vegies, beans, seeds, nuts and grains etc? you must eat low residue/low fiber diet. and if you feel you're really slowing down, then i can always offer you to try fresh squized pear juice :))) but it has to be fresh squized outta real pears, you know, like they do fresh carrot juice. i have a machine at home and i squiz my pears every morning. this thing is amazing, it really flushes the whole system and it's also a natural solution, compared to laxatives. i'd love to know if it helps other ppl. i feel so bad for Lizzie for being in so much pain now and no pain meds are allowed, and yes Tracy, you're right, her surgery is Sep 3rd, i don't know how she'll be able to hold on till then with the pain she's having, poor thing.
Posted 8/10/2010 11:30 AM (GMT 0)
Good morning!
Val, glad you are feeling so good! I’m actually amazed at how well I am doing this time. Each surgery has been so different in recovery.. weird. I’m 2 weeks post op and I almost feel like I didn’t have surgery! With all the major surgeries I have had in the last 15 months, it would seem that this one would have taken a toll on me. It has been by far the easiest, however the no lifting is driving me crazy! I go Thursday for my first post op appointment.

Things are improving in the poo area, but I do find it hard not to strain and I don’t feel like I’m getting empty. I’m sure it’s my rectocele plus pelvic floor decent, but I’m just not sure what if anything can be done.  Interesting to hear about all your tummies and not feeling skinner! I always have thought that my colon is so full and making me fatter! I know that these 3 abdominal surgeries have taking a toll… and my stomach is NOT the same as it was just ½ yrs ago – even though I weigh less and I’m in better shape. The open procedure really did the number on me.. it was not a bikini incision, but from belly button down to pubic bone.

Hodaya, I hope everything goes well with your boss, but if you’re not up to going back, don’t!. Keep us posted!

Rosemary, welcome home!! I think the hardest thing about coming back from vacation is catching up with things! Just the mail is overwhelming! I don’t know how you’re able to travel so much, but how exciting! I take it that you are fully retired too.

Janie, I think I may be having some of those spasms.. not sure, but I DO feel a bit of pain and discomfort in my rectum. I feel it most after I have a BM, or try and have one. I do plan on mentioning this pain and almost a heaviness feeling to my dr on Thursday. Where are you heading on your cruise!? We go on a 7 day cruise to the Virgin Islands the end of October. I never seem to have a problem eating. (just get constipated)

Tracy, so glad you are doing good, and what a blessing to be able to poo now without hours on the toilet! Glad your hubby is fine with everything too, I know mine would be.. but hoping I never have to go there! I wish I had a bikini incision too, that’s where my 2 other c-sections and tummy tuck scars are, but my colon surgeon went and made a brand new scar – right down the center! I hate how my stomach looks now, just hate it!

Welcome Quinn, glad you’re doing well! A rectocele can cause you to strain because the stool gets stuck. You feel it but it can’t come out. You’ll probably need to have some tests done for a diagnose. Keep us posted!

Jen, best wishes on Friday. I TOTALLY understand your fear of post op ileus, I have had it all three times with my last surgery. I would think though, you’ll be fine with this surgery. You’ll probably have a twilight anesthesia and they are not actually going into your pelvic, abdominal cavity.. and when I had mine done, I was fine – just lots of cramping.
Posted 8/10/2010 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
Val - I hope your return to work went well.

Uncabull - Welcome to the board

Janie - Sorry you've had such a bad time of it, recently. We know how painful rectal spasms can be.

Hodaya - Glad Biofeedback sorted out the spasms. I hope it does for me, too.

Tracy - Great that you're feeling so well, and thanks for the update on Lizzie. Still praying for her.

Jenise - Good to hear that you're feeling better.

Jen - All the best for Friday. Praying for you.

Rosemary - Welcome home. Glad you enjoyed your time away.

Quinn - Welcome. So pleased your surgery went well and you are feeling a lot better. I agree with what the others have said about the possibility of pelvic floor problems and the need to get some tests done.
Posted 8/10/2010 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
hey Jenise, so good to hear you're ok and feel like yourself again and you're happily pooping too :)) as to the pelvic issues, unfortunately those can't be perfectly repaired, but as long as you manage, then that's great. so sorry about all you scars. Janie, have fun on your vacation! cookie, when are you starting the biofeedback?
Posted 8/10/2010 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hodaya - I haven't got a date, at the moment. Still waiting for the nerve study tests and another appointment with my surgeon. Summer holidays mean things are taking even longer.
Posted 8/10/2010 4:33 PM (GMT 0)

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

 

Here is a recap on Lizzie...so much has happened that a little review is probably needed! First of all, however, Lizzie sends all of her love and thanks each of you for your support and prayers!! It really does mean the world to her, so thank you all so much!

 

Lizzie was at her home hospital. From there, they transferred her to LTACH (long-term acute care hospital) for the remaining time before her surgery. Things did not go well there. Doctors were not understanding, wanted to drastically cut her pain meds, etc. In the middle of her stay at LTACH, she was taken back to the ER with an obstruction. Colorectal admitted her for a couple days and things went really well. After that, however, they had to take her back to LTACH. After an inappropriate and unprofessional (and frankly, inexcusable) outburst from one of the doctors (cutting pain meds, questioning the meds Cleveland had put her on, etc.), Lizzie's family decided to bring her home. The additional stress brought on by LTACH was certainly not needed. When she left, they pulled her PICC line, TPN, and pain meds. Pain meds have to be weaned down, and TPN is the same way. Stopping either of those cold-turkey sends patients into withdrawal.

 

Lizzie has been home since last Wednesday (8/3), and she felt pretty good that first day. Thursday was not a good day, as the withdrawal symptoms really kicked up. On Friday, she saw a specialist for medication to counteract the withdrawal symptoms. The medication did a great job of knocking out the withdrawal symptoms, but of course, it comes with its own set of side effects- nausea, stomach pain, and decreased appetite. She definitely doesn't need any of those, so pray for that! This medication also has a bit of an analgesic effect. So far, it hasn't done much in that area, so pray that it starts relieving her pain as well.

 

Her surgery day has been moved to September 3rd. Her surgeon needs for her to be off the opiates for a month before surgery. If they were to keep her on pain meds until surgery, the meds would not work for the surgical pain. Lizzie is trying the best she can to manage the pain, but it is severe. On Saturday and Sunday, there were times with the stabbing pain doubled her over and brought her to the ground. Yesterday (Monday) was better, but she didn't move around much, and sitting still for almost a month is going to be very difficult.

 

Eating is hard. She gets full very quickly, and eating triggers nausea and pain. She is doing a great job of forcing food in, but it is really not a fun process. She is no longer on TPN, so getting calories in is completely up to her. Pray that eating would be easier, and that the pain and nausea would greatly decrease so that she can give her body what it needs to be ready for surgery.

 

Keep praying everyone! Pray for a smooth surgery and recovery, and that both would be free from any and all complications!!! Again, Lizzie sends her love and thanks for your support and prayers.

 

Many, many thanks, and love to you all!

 

Allie

Posted 8/10/2010 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! Have not been on here forever. I have been extremly busy this summer and have recently got a new puppy on top of everything else. This summer has been an extremly hard one. I have had friends who have lost children and husbands in various accident and it has been so draining. Just try to be there for them all the best I can. Just yesterday one passed in a boating accident and she has three young children. Cant even imagine what it would be like to go through such a tragedy. Been through losing a brother, but a spouse or child would just be heart wrenching.

Anyhow, so such luck on diagnosing my issue with my joints. So used to hearing, we dont know what it is, so kinda betted on it. Oh well!!

Janie, yes I get those extreme rectal cramps also. And also when I eat crap. The worst time was in the car in the middle of nowhere. I thought I was going to die from the pain. Not real sure why this happens. But so painful.

Praying as always for Lizzie. Think of her and all of you everyday. You have been here for me in so many ways.

Hope you all are having a great summer!
Posted 8/11/2010 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have my 5 biofeedback session tomorrow. The therapist said we might be able to get the insurance to cover it since I've had 2 BM's without "assistance." Looks like I won't have one this week.. it hasn't really helped at all other than those two times. Boooo.

Rosemary - when you board the ships - do they x-ray all your stuff?

Sorry to hear about all the crap that is going on with you Marisa :(
Posted 8/11/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Allie,

GOOOD LORD!!!!!!!! Thanks for the update on Lizzie. That girl and I HAVE TO COLLABORATE ON A BOOK about the treatment of patients in trouble. This is allllllll inexcusable. I totally agree with you as I'm sure others will.

All Cleveland needs to do is give her an indwelling epidural that would be put in prior to surgery, stay in and monitored during and for a few days after surgery. By a few days after surgery, she would be far enough out of the surgical pain so that likely she would only need Motrin. I am beside myself that a place like CC has not thought of this. Is there anyway you can run this idea by her so that she can ask her doc at CC? This pain management protocol is used all the time. So that way she would not need to quit the needed painkillers prior to her surgery. Sept. 3rd is a long way off.

To answer others' questions on a quick scan of the board since my return,

Yes, I'm fully retired. My school system retired me when I was so severely injured by my original 2006 surgery which later was found out to be unneeded, misdiagnosis, etc. By the time I'd gotten fixed the best that could be done with the lysis of small bowel adhesions and ileostomy in 2007, it had been 12 months and all my teacher certifications had expired.

All my travel is FUN :-) But I must admit, I am filling a "bucket list" so to speak, just incase I have relapse into small bowel adhesion obstruction. So far so good, and I may certainly remain OK as luckily I have been so far since the lysis and ileostomy surgery in 2007, but I believe in not wasting a minute.

After my planned Africa cruise Oct. 12-Jan. 5th my "bucket list" will be done, then I need to slow on the spending. I had just saved a bunch through working many years and have no kids, house paid for, etc. So, hence the travel $.

When I board the ships they do xray my luggage. I have a whole suit case of ostomy supplies complete with scissors to cut the wafer and it's never an issue. I don't fly anymore because I worry that air pressure changes may trigger a small bowel issue. I had an sbo in the air coming back from Mayo CLinic but that was before the adhesions were lysed at Lahey and the ileostomy done. BUT, I figure why tamper with success, therefore all the ship, train, bus travel at sea level.

Welcome all newbies. I must admit I have a lot of reading to do to catch up with everyone. Last night I got adventurous and ate well cooked mashed summer squash with the seeds strained out and it was SOOOO good to eat "real food." Scrambled eggs and the diet I limit myself to gets old. Gotta try a few new things. But so far blood work is great, and I've held on my weight, so menu variety is a choice and something I can try in time. Love that Show me the Whey protein powder, great in yogurt. 18 grams in a scoop.

We GOTTA get LIZZIE her ileo and I would imagine by now she may need adhesion lysis, then we can all get together and WRITE OUR BOOK. I've made a few starts, but a book is something that would be a very informative group project. I think collectively we all hold more knowledge than many docs and certainly more than the average person on the street.

Good to be home. Rosemary
Posted 8/11/2010 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
So I went to my pre-op appointment today for my outpatient procedure Friday. The anesthesiolgist was reviewing all my past surgeries. He of course asks me why I had my colon taken out, and I tell him. He gives me this uhhhhhh....what look. I tell him I have an ileorectal anastomosis and he says so I guess you have a bag. I look at him like he is crazy and tell him that nooooo my small intestine is hooked to my rectum. He then says but you have some of your colon right.......uhhh nooooo...as I said before I had a TOTAL colectomy with an ileorectal anastomosis. Why is it so hard for doctors to understand for one thing colonic inertia and two what an ileorectal anastomosis is....grrrrr...irritates me to death.

Jen
Posted 8/11/2010 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
i KNOW!!!! i hate explainin anything to drs, nurses or any body, they just don't understand... and when they ask, i tell them that i'm having hard time with this question, cuz every time i try to answer, nobody understands.. well but then i answer anyway and i hate it.
Posted 8/11/2010 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I am getting tired of telling friends I have an ileostomy because they say, oh yeah, a colostomy bag...and they then think I have a bag attached to my body and I can't get it off. I tell them, NO, I have a small piece of small intestine sticking out and this is called my stoma....I then attach the bag and change it as needed. They then say, TOO MUCH INFORMATION, I didn't need to hear all of that. GRRRR

Anyway, these people need to grow up and get a grip....everybody poops, right? I am considering wearing a bikini this summer to show off my stoma and educate a bunch of dumb asses. Better yet, I may start wearing the bag hanging out of my shorts so the tail hangs out the bottom of my shirt...then when they say, What is that? I can say, oops sorry, I forgot to put my bag away....
Posted 8/11/2010 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all!

I recently had 2 SitzMark tests done. One came back inconclusive, the second one not only had I retained all the markers from the current test, but several from the last test. My surgeon has given me 2 options: Stay the way I've been and risk possible problems in the future (pelvic floor dysfunction, incontinence, etc.) or have a subtotal colectomy. After everything I've gone through, EGD's, colonoscopies, 5 different kinds of medications that haven't worked and feeling sick on a daily basis, I'm leaning towards the surgery. However, at my age (21) I'm scared about the long term effects. I've been told that it will be easier to heal because I'm young, and that my body will adjust as I get older. I'm tired of being sick all the time, but do my risks outweigh my benefits?

Thanks in advance :)
✚ New Topic locked
123456789