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Newbie with colectomy questions & concerns

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Posted 10/6/2014 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All!

I had a total colectomy 3 weeks ago for colonic inertia and it seemed like things were doing fine. Now for the past 2 days I've had some things going on - I'm wondering if this sounds normal to any of you...

Abdominal pain is back! It's dull and crampy, seems to come in waves. Stool has been brownish red - sometimes with red globs of ? mixed in (sorry!). Last thing is that when I touch my abdomen, right above my belly button/incision, I can feel my heart beat really, really strong - like pounding. It's weird.

The only red or orange thing that I've ingested in over 5 days has been Colace gel caps because I'm now having to strain to go again.

Thanks in advance! I really appreciate anyone who can give me a little insight here.
Posted 10/11/2014 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mosaic. Sorry you didn't get any replies from us folks here. Maybe if you titled your post more specifically, like "Red Stools" or "Heartbeat in Belly Button" some people might jump in. Personally I didn't experience the things you mention but I'm betting others did.
Good luck,
Mike
Posted 10/11/2014 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Have you contacted your surgeon or GI? I haven't experienced this either and agree to try using a more specific title to get more people to look at your thread. I hope you can figure this out soon.
Posted 10/11/2014 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am not qualified to answer, but three weeks out seems a long time to still have brown stool. I'd call the surgeon too. When is your follow up appt? Ours was 2 weeks out and brought great relief...just to know what was"normal" is comforting. Are you still on pain meds?
Posted 10/18/2014 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Couple confusion things I wanna ask questions about: you have to "strain to go"?
do you mean you are having Tenesmus (which i like to call Dry Heaves of the @$$...??

It was about 3 weeks after surgery that I started to have UC like symptoms again.
Mucous out my butt. It has increased in frequency and amount over the last two months. It is now a darker color and includes blood.

Another thing is a few weeks ago I started feeling my heart beat in my left middle abdominal area. I told my surgeon this at my appointment about removing my remaining guts. She immediately suggested pain medication as feeling the heartbeat in that area with my pain in my lower left/middle abdominal/pelvic area was probably my UC coming back and attacking. As well as my body in general being unwell.

If you could take a picture of the redish glob in your output and email them to me (listed) i would love to try to help you further.
I know how scary every little thing is after having this procedure done. I'm only 3 months out!

But i've documented a lot so I can try to be of use to others!


Please feel free to contact me. Hope you are still feeling well. :)
Posted 10/23/2014 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hey guys,

I have also recently had an illeostomy and was so glad when I found your post - my surgery was emergency due to blood loss. It was 2 months ago and I too still get black sticky old blood from the bottom end which is liquid brown sometimes. This gives me cramps in my lower bowels - I've spoken with lots of docs about it and they say that it could mean I've still got inflammation in my lower bowels and that they will still continue to contract hence the liquid as long as it's not red blood.
I also get that sensation at my belly the docs have told me it's because I lost so much weight in hospital but it's interesting to know that you have it as well.
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