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Posted 9/28/2015 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I am 3 months out from a proctocolectomy. It has been essentially uneventful until the last two weeks. I took a one week vacation to NYC, flying in from San Francisco. The night before I left I experienced chills, though it was very hot out. I kept going the entire week, walking 35 miles total. Kept track on my Iphone. But I was nauseous off and on for the entire week. When I would eat, I feel the need to burp and then experience mild nausea. Output was much more frequent. I have since returned home, still nauseous with decreased appetite. If I drink a lot of liquid my output really increases and is liquid. If I drink less fluid, output a bit thicker. Two weeks ago, I was dealing with pancaking. Stomach bug is going around the community. Doctors are not concerned about blockage (no stoma pressure). I have lost weight and feel tired.

Any thoughts; is this the flu or is my gut healing in some weird way? Any ideas for nausea? Eating a BRAT diet. Boring.
Posted 9/28/2015 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Usually a stomach bug doesn't last two weeks. But it could have been a bug and since you're still in the early stages of recovering from surgery.....perhaps it's just taking a long time to leave your system. Peppermint tea usually helps me when my stomach is queasy. Hope you feel better soon....there's a stomach bug going around where I live too.
Posted 9/28/2015 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with you that a stomach bug does not usually last two weeks, but let just hope the docs are right. I was going gangbusters until two weeks ago. On the other hand, my GI track is still trying to heal and figure things out. It is possible that the effects of a virus could linger.

Hope I am not developing gastroparesis. Probably not, as my output is pretty regular. Just thinking outloud.
Posted 9/28/2015 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Marinmom
I am sorry this is happening. I have no idea but just wanted to write to tell you that I'm in awe that after 3 months you took such a trip.
I'm still dealing with fatigue and leaks at 10 weeks. I could never imagine walking around NY or anywhere at this point. Hope you feel better soon and I would love your secret.
Posted 9/29/2015 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
Marinmom, I took a trip to Disneyland Paris for a week when I was 3 months out, and I found that around that time my digestive system still wasn't 100%. It doesn't sound exactly like what you're experiencing, but I couldn't eat normal sized portions without feeling sick & getting pains in my stomach (which would pass in a couple of hours), my output wasn't as predictable as it is now either.
The losing weight & tiredness could be attributed to your trip either? If you were that much more active than you have been for the 3 months since surgery, it's possible you lost weight? I was very tired after my trip too.
For me, it took a long time before my digestive system settled to what it is now (which I would consider to be as normal as it's going to be!). It really doesn't like being handled, and you may be getting scar tissue forming inside still. If you are worried though, contact your surgeon/GI/stoma nurse for more advice though!
Posted 9/29/2015 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Superblanks, my grandparents are from Cork; maybe it is in the genes; but I think you nailed it. I just overdid it. It takes me very little to get full since I returned from my grand adventure. I am very tired and yes, I lost the weight I put on after surgery. darn! I have contacted by doc and stoma nurse. They maintain I have a virus and/or I simply overdid it. The good news is that you recovered so there is hope for me.

Also, please note the difference between you and me. I am 61 and you are 26! I need to take advantage of time while I have it; but I am readjusting my limits for the next six months or so.

Susan 53, hope you have a good stoma nurse. Also, I swear by convex one piece appliances and Eakin seals. I have never had a leak even with my latest increase in liquid output. The couple times I used a moldable flat wafer even with a seal, I leaked. My stoma is about an inch out from its base, but I have also had three kids and the convex appliance prevents my stoma from being swallowed up by that "baby" belly.

My secret to why I was recuperating at a fairly fast pace until I went on "Mr Toad's Wild Ride"? Exercise, mainly yoga and walking. I was in a preoperative exercise program at University of California SF which trains patients before surgery. Made a big difference. At 10 weeks, if you have not already done so, get moving but at a reasonable pace. Wish I had listened to my own advice!
Posted 9/30/2015 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
Marinmom - I think that's most likely the case, not a virus! To be honest, it took me probably about 6 months before I felt 100% with everything, eating what I wanted, not feeling tired, predictable output, etc...
I went for a long weekend to London about 7 months post-op, which was a very full-on trip, and I was completely fine then. So I do think it takes that long to recover - even though we obviously feel a million times better at 3 months than pre-op!!
Posted 9/30/2015 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
SuperBlanks, I have been following your posts on this site for the past few months; you are wise beyond your years. I am coming to the same conclusion that you suggested. The whole issue could be "functional." It makes perfect sense that time is necessary for the body to adapt to a shortened GI track. For instance, today, I was able to get down a smoothie and some cheese toast. Felt a little queasy, then burped and felt much better (never have been a burper; this is new). Yoga stretches are also helping. Additionally, sitting in a plane 6 plus hours with the added air compression could have traumatized the gut.

That said, I had a glorious time in NYC; no worries about finding bathrooms; sleeping through the night; for the first time in 5 years, didn't bring a heating pad on a trip..............there were a lot of positives post op! Looking forward to that 7 month milestone.
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