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total colectomy

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Posted 5/15/2006 9:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I am 19 years old and had a total colectomy 2 weeks ago because I suffered from severe constipation I now have my small intestine joined up to my rectum i always have the runs but i have to strain alot has anybody else had this problem. Also i have to avoid eating corn, seeds, raw vegies, peels on fruit and nuts is there any other type of food that i should avoid because i keep having bad stomach cramps and bad pain underneath my rib cage i take mintec capsules but they are not working
Posted 5/15/2006 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
I think it takes your body a while to adjust to the way things are now. Your large intestine used to absorb a lot of water and now your small intestine has to adapt and get used to absorbing some of it. I haven't had a reversal yet but I do have an ileostomy and it took a good month before my stools started to thicken up. Stay on a soft food diet and avoid fibrous foods and raw vegetables for a good month, maybe even two. Then start introducing those goods one at a time to see how your body reacts to them. things will get better for you and if they don't make sure you keep your doctor(s) informed about how you are feeling. they will tell you whether it is normal or not.

earthgirl
Posted 5/18/2006 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I had a total colectomy almost 1 year ago and I know it can be very rough for the first few months but it does get better. I really regreted having it done for a while because I had diarehha so bad but I don't anymore. I go now about 4 times a day. I only take medicine at night in order to be able to sleep through the night without getting up. I was taking medicine before every meal after my surgery and it didn't work great then. I must say I no longer regret the surgery because my pain is gone and I don't feel sick all the time. I had cronic constipation for 8 years. The first surgery I had done was a partial colectomy where they only took out 2 feet. Then not even a year later I started having problems again and then they decided to do the total colectomy. All I have left is my small intenstine connected right to my rectum also. Believe your not alone on this and it will take time for your body to adjust. There are still some foods that bother my stomache but I know what they are now so I know what I'm in for if I choose to eat them. My big one is dairy, and I love icecream.

Well, I hope this helps and if you have any questions just ask!!

Melissa
Posted 5/25/2006 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi loz,

I'm 20 years old and just had an ileostomy reversal 4 months ago. I had my ileostomy for 20 years (since i was a week old). My small intestine is now conected to my rectum as well. I am still going about 10-15 times a day but if I really follow good diet I can have a day that I only go 8 or so. The best diet to follow is to stay away from fibre, this would be fruits and veggies for sure. Because I can't eat these i'm taking 'one a day's' for my vitamin intake. Also stay away from very sugary foods, eating a lot of sugar will cause you to go more I have noticed. Great things to eat are white bread (definately not whole wheat anything), peanut butter, bananas, tapioca pudding (which I don't like and dont eat it but I hear it helps). Also try to stay away from greesy deep fried foods, a lot of greese or oily food can just push things right through you.

Even though i'm still going 10-15 times a day, this is actualy great for me because right after surgery i was going over 30 times and getting about a half an hour of sleep at night..so compared to that i'm in heaven! I'm told that it can take 6 months to a year for things to completely slow down to normal which can still be 5-7 times a day..but honestly 5-7 sounds great to me!! The stools will never be solid without the colon to absorb all the water, but once the small bowel learns to absorb more water the stools will get to like a thick paste at its best, which is also ok because it's easier to hold that consistancy of stools in, but it isnt too hard to push it out!

Hope I helped, please let me know how things go.

Ashley
Posted 5/25/2006 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Ashley,

It does get better after time. I was going constantly after my surgery and I couldn't hold it at all. I wore pads for 3 weeks just to make sure I didn't have any accidents. It has almost been a year for me now and I can hold it so much better and I don't go nearly as much (depending on what I eat). Well, I hope everyone is well.

Melissa
Posted 6/24/2006 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ashley

your post helped me alot. I too have had a total colectomy 7 years ago and I am still learning what to eat, and so forth. DO you have any other tips. thanks so much

rose
Posted 6/24/2006 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
When I had my total colectomy, I experienced stomach cramping as well but mine were only in the morning. That went on for about 3 weeks and went away. I just think your small intestine is in shock of taking on extra responsibilities. Hang in there it'll get better. The only additional thing I would recommend you try to stay away from that doesn't work for me is dairy. I still eat it but it gives me the runs. You need to learn your body all over again and when you have the takedown you'll have to relearn it again. It's difficult having the "bag" but it beats having the disease. I'm starting to feel partially normal again and I haven't felt normal in years. Good luck to you.
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