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Nausea after Colectomy

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Posted 3/11/2017 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am 12 days post op after a colectomy, this was a brutal surgery and recovering. I'm having severe nausea and not sure why. My blood work is good and my out put is good but I feel like my intestines are always full which makes me sick, also bad cramps. My surgeon was a remarkable surgeon but he or hospital could careless about helping me with meds or feeling better. That's another story. I am without pain meds and the zofran for nausea doesn't always work.
Any info would Be greatly appreciated!
Thank you
Suzi
Posted 3/12/2017 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
I would continue to bug your Surgeon for help, maybe speak directly to his nurse until something can be done. Do you have a regular GI doc? You'll be under your Surgeon's care for some time, they should be on top of things like you're dealing with. If you're in pain they need to address it. You can also request a different nausea med to try, just tell them Zofran isn't working for you. What is your diet like? Are you having issues with gas at all?
Posted 3/12/2017 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
12 days is still really early. Your body had a big surgery and it traumatizes the intestines. If you aren't throwing up and output is good I wouldn't worry too much. It took my intestines a few weeks to feel like they were finally waking up. I had nausea or feeling full and couldn't eat much for at least 3 weeks post op. I never threw up and my output was ok so my Dr said he thought I had a mild ileus. Stuff was moving really slow and my intestines weren't quite back to normal.

about a 3-4 weeks postop the nausea went away but I still had to eat small amounts several times a day for a bit longer.

If you are throwing up or become unable to eat I would definitely contact your Dr.

Taking ginger capsules or ginger root tea really helped my nausea and digestion.
Posted 3/12/2017 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
You could try MJ. What about your GI? Surgeon's don't usually manage symptoms outside of cutting.
Posted 3/13/2017 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Are you still in the hospital? Are you on a full diet?

Could be an Ileus...I think many IBDers have experienced at least one after a surgery. It takes time for your intestine to wake up.

Clear liquids/foods could help.
Posted 3/14/2017 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Suzie,

I had an ileostomy February 2nd. I was released from the hospital in 3 days (too soon) but ended up in the ER the next day with severe dehydration, pain and vomiting... sent home. That night the vomiting came back with a vengeance (even with Zofran), sent back to the ER. That time they readmitted me and I was there for another 12 days... YES, it was an Ileus. I was miserable!!! They tried to get things to move through the stoma to no avail. I ended up with an NT tube for a few days which was horrible BUT the relief from vomiting was immediate. They also put transderm discs behind my ear for nausea. On top of everything else, I got a nurse that refused to give pain medication - if I wasn't so darn weak I would have smacked her upside the head! I was without nutrients along with dehydration so when I finally got relief and could hold something down I was anxious to get home for further recovery. My surgeon ended up being so kind understanding and took care of everything with a sense of urgency.

I don't know where you live but if at all possible, go to the emergency room or whatever you need to get some attention. My heart goes out to you... sending you lots of good healing energy for the rest of your recovery. It does get better, but I'm sure it seems pretty bleak right now.

Now I've been home 3.5 weeks and finally feeling like I've got this! Do you have Home Health nurses visiting yet? They have been an amazing support. They told me their job is to be my success coach and it's true!!!

It does take time for everything to wake up, it's true. I'm still having experiences with change AND have had some distressing accidents, blow-outs (my term) and overall anxiety. I also wasn't expecting the depression to take such a hold on me. Lots of tears and I have to admit, I haven't been the most delightful person to be around at times. I do see the light at the end of the tunnel now, and I'm happy to say it's NOT on the front of a freight train!

You've got this Suzie! Don't hesitate to tell doctors you need help. Please keep us posted... I would love to hear how you're doing along the way.

Keep going, one step forward and enjoy the Cha-cha!

Vicki
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