HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Cramps and leakage. Updated

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/10/2011 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
Update- I'm still having cramps but I'm learning to deal with them, but how ever I'm visiting the restroom 9-17 times a day. I asked my doctor about the meds to slow it down a bit but he said no because it could go off track? Idk. I learned how to wash clothes because I still go threw 3-5 things of underwear a day, I wish it could slow down by now, I haven't been getting as many rashes down there lately so that's good umm I've been passing gas "have to sit on toilet because well.. Yeah.

I try walking atleast 10 mins a day but I'm not allowed outside due to the coldness lol I wouldn't really want to risk getting sick. But yeah that's my update if Nyone has any questions ask away.



I've had alot of long nights just like tonight, I notice at night I'm having minor leakage and having to take a shower around 1-4am. I usually go through 2-3 things of underwear during the day depending what I'm doing. I've try not eating drinking after 7pm yet I still have leakages.

Cramps----
Feel like im back to square one because cramps through out the day but mostly at night. I talked to my surgeons and doctors they say it will pass and stop after a while but Asides from the cramps they said how I am now is how I'll be rest if my life. I don't want to feel this way rest of my life it sucks.

I'm gonna try and wait a few months 3-8 and if nothing improves I'm going to request to get my ostomy back. I talked to my therapist she says I'm depressed but anti depressants might make me feel worse. All I can do is wait. My parents know I hate life at the moment "trying to make the best with what I can." but they just keep saying it'll get better.

Can anyone explain a little on costs to keep an ostomy? Supply's etc.. Im covered on my parents medical care "military" until I'm 26 I would think by then I'd have a fair job that has benefits but yeah.. Not to sure. the only reason I didn't keep my ostomy was because I wouldn't know if I could buy supply's etc.. Plus I didn't want to let my parents down.

-Adam

Post Edited (David-M) : 1/17/2011 8:24:45 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/10/2011 12:53 PM (GMT 0)

The cramps should go away with time.  I know that mine did but it did take awhile (months - not days or weeks) but they did decrease as the months went on.  Now I only have cramps when I have bad gas or I really have to go to the bathroom (just like pre-UC when I could hold it for longer than I should have). 

With regards to the leaking, have you tried ARD (or similar pads) or a large size cotton round (from the beauty aisle)?  I used these in the beginning so that I didn't have to change my underwear all the time as they absorb the leaks before they get to your underwear (also helps the skin).  I also discovered that I needed to continue doing my kegels post-takedown which helped reduce the frequency of leaking and now I don't leak at all during the day and it's a rare occurance at night (usually means I need to do kegels).  I always snack and drink right before bed but I also sleep on my stomach which I think might make a difference (harder to leak).  The frequency of leaking also decreased as my output thickened up so when I eat certain foods it thins out my output and I'm more likely to have a leak if I haven't done my kegels that week (I only do them approx 1x/week now).  Hang in there.  It should get better for you as time goes on (I'm sure you're tired of hearing that by now but it is true).  Remember that you're recovering from surgery.  Even though it felt like the easy one I think it's actually the one that requires the most adjustment.

Posted 1/15/2011 4:47 AM (GMT 0)
Adam....

am I right in remembering that your surgery was in early December??...if so that really is not that long ago. I am sure that the cramps will get better. Make sure that you are getting lots of exercise!!...easy for me to say..lol!

Are you taking immodium or metamucil? Have your docs said that you can take those yet? Dillon found that they really helped but his docs did not want him taking them for (as I remember) about six weeks after surgery. Maybe it would help with the leakage. I do not agree with your doc saying that, except for the cramps, how you are now is how you will stay. We were told that you would keep on improving for about 6 months and then by about a year it would be about as good as it was going to get. That is pretty much what Dillon has found. He progressed a lot over the first 6 months and then slowly over the next 6.

I know it is so hard but hang in there....gets lots of exercise and keep busy and soon things will be better!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply