I had the operation nine weeks ago and still have diarrhoea most days. I thought it would have settled into a normal stool by now. I don't have the confidence to go out much as I have had a couple of accidents and don't want it happening again. Can I take Imodium every day. My husband has booked a much needed holiday but I am just stressing about toilets.
Hi Aem74,
Thanks for getting in touch. My name is Jo and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line.
I’m sorry to hear that you continue to have diarrhoea most days following your bowel resection surgery and that this is impacting on your confidence to go out. This sounds like a difficult time.
I wonder whether you have spoken to your hospital team about your concerns. If not, then it would be advisable to do so. They are in the best place to offer specific advice about your diarrhoea, including assessing the possible cause if needed, as they are familiar with your cancer diagnosis and have access to your medical records. This way the most suitable treatment can be recommended.
If you have the contact number for a nurse specialist within the team, then you could give them a call in the first instance.
Here is some further information about regaining bowel control after treatment for bowel cancer that you might find helpful.
Planning ahead may also help to alleviate some of your stresses about toilets when you are out. Hopefully this information on using public toilets, which includes a link to a digital toilet card, will assist with this.
It is normal to experience lots of different emotions when you’ve had a cancer diagnosis, there is no right or wrong way to feel. It’s important that you don’t feel alone in dealing with these. There are a number of ways that we here at Macmillan can offer emotional help so please do get back in touch.
I see that you have joined the bowel (colon and rectum) cancer forum on our online community and hope you are finding this supportive. There is further information and support available through the charity Bowel Cancer UK.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get back in touch. You can speak with the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us.
I hope this information is helpful and that you and your husband can go away and enjoy a much-needed holiday.
Best wishes,
Jo
Cancer Information Nurse Specialist
Ref: JD/PW
