Lack of motility after colectomy

She has lived with basically an inactive colon for 20 or more years - has not been able to have a bowel movement for all of that time, no meds or foods worked, relied on enemas 3-4 times a week to clean out bowels. This all probably due to an ongoing eating disorder and some laxative abuse very early in the game.

She had a total colectomy (4/5 of colon removed, but that is what they called it) a few weeks ago, laparascopically. She was supposed to be out of the hospital in 3-7 days, was in 2 weeks. Very few bowle sounds, and 2 small episodes of diarrhea after ingesting fluids for a GI test. No blockages or other internal problems were noted, but she continues to be very sick after attempting to eat anything, and the cramping and pains are terrible. One day she had several bowel movements (very watery), the next day none. Still had pain and such after eating and even when she had not eaten for a while. In the hospital, she had TPN for a few days, but they took her off of it when she went home mid-last week.

We do not understand why she has not had some normal bowel function restored at this point, and why she is still in so much pain. She was on narcotics in the hospital, but finally got off of those a few days before she left, as they could also impair motility.

Is this OK/normal/acceptable? Any similar stories or ideas that I might pass along to her? Or referrals to where I might get more information? (All of the studies I have looked up refer to restoration of bowel activity within 3-10 days. It's been almost 20 for her.)

Many thanks.

Nonna,

I have you trried adding a handful of dried prunes to your diet?  I find that if I eat a handful a couple times a day with 8 oz of water, I have more BMs.

I hope your sister is doing better since your orig post 11/13/05.  My experience is quite similiar to your sister. I also experienced colonic inertia for many, many yrs.  But no one wanted to treat me for it.  Years of laxatives over the counter and prescribed (Mirilax), and daily enemas killed my colon even more.  Finally, a cancer colectoral surgeon heard about my case from one of his colon cancer patients & set up an appt to see me & hear my story.  After extensive testing for approximately five mos, he told me he could make my life 95 percent better than what I have been going through. I had my laparascopic subtotal colectomy on 09/20/05 which ended up being the longest surgery he ever had (9 1/2 hrs).  Of course, I had to be the one with major complications, internal bleeding, blood transfusions, and emergency surgery the second day which ended up with open surgery after all.  To add to it, a hopefully temporary ileostomy.  Inaddition, TPN from 10/31/05 to the day of my reversal ileostomy 12/20/05.  Yes, my bms were also foamy mostly liquidity like diarrhea for months no matter what I ate or drank.  I had 10 bms a day and believe me with constant diarrhea resulting in a burning bum w/hemmorhoids it was painful.  I cannot eat everything like I used to or drink what I used to.  I am now lactose intolerant and all I can drink is Propel with calcium water like six 16 oz bottles a day.  Carbonated beverages burn my bum just like milk products.  I am a vegeterian not a strict one, I eat broiled, grilled, baked fish, salmon, lobster, shrimp, crab legs nothing with butter or creamy sauces.  I started to eat Butterball Turkey Breast with a little Smart Balance Light products such as Mayo, Butter, and Peanut Butter.  The key is to watch what you eat.  Start a daily journal note what works and what doesn't work.  Then go back to what didn't work three or four weeks later.  I also took lomotil six times a day.  Now I don't take anything for diarrhea.  My BMS are beginning to get normal.  There are some days, if I don't have a BM, I get nervous, upset, stress myself out & say to my husband after all that I have been through, why should I have to give myself an enema.  Tell your sister to keep her body fully hydrated.  It certainly helps.  Just the other people in this forum said everyones body reacts differently & some heal faster than others and like us it may take a good year or more to get back to feeling 95 percent better.  Keep us posted on your sister's progress.  Best of luck to both of you!

Angel

Sara,

Because our symptoms are so similar, I had to check and make sure that the post was from you and not previously from myself.  My Dr looks at me like I am crazy when I tell her that my stomach gets distended after I drink water.  By the end of the night, I am wearing my hubby's shorts because my tummy is so bloated.  My diet is very small..5 prunes for breakfast, 1/2 cup gluten-free pasta (made from brown rice) with prune juice for lunch, and 1pc fish for dinner.  I still bloat and I have gained 5 pounds.  I run about 4-5 miles a day and I am 8 weeks post surgery.  My Dr started me on Reglan for motility but the side effects are awful - I feel loopy and dizzy.  Can you please email me the site you use at [email protected]? I do not mind eating the same boring foods everyday; I just cannot handle the bloating.  Have you had any side effects or weight gain?

Thanks,A