Post stoma reversal

Hello Stuart

I am George, one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Cancer support line. I'm happy to read that your Stoma reversal procedure was successful and that your wounds are healing well with no pain. However, I'm sorry to read that you are now facing new health issues after the reversal, which are significantly affecting your quality of life due to the fear of needing the toilet urgently at very short notice. Bowel recovery can vary for each person, and the effects of the surgery may cause these challenges, but I hope I can offer further assistance with the information below.

Your body is still recovering from the bowel surgery, and the bowel may now be shorter than before the surgery. The bowel's response to surgery can be slow, and it is normal for it to take time to return to its normal function, which should improve over time.

It's great that you're following the dietary advice, as not doing so can worsen things. Discussing your situation further with your healthcare team or the Cancer Nurse Specialist might be helpful. You can contact the consultant's secretary to see if you can have an earlier appointment to address these concerns, as they significantly impact your quality of life. Different approaches can be discussed to help you return to a new normal and improve your quality of life.

Some medications can be discussed with your specialist to help manage your symptoms. Some medicines can slow down bowel movements and make them more formed. For example, loperamide might be prescribed. Other medications can reduce the sensitivity of the nerves in the bowel to lessen the sudden urges and cramps that cause frequent toilet visits. However, these medications must be carefully balanced to avoid causing constipation. Please do not take new medicines without discussing them with your specialist team or GP.

Despite feeling counterintuitive, gentle exercise and movement can help retrain the bowel and nerves, reducing the frequency and urgency of needing the toilet over time. This can also help reduce anxiety and stress, encouraging relaxation and reducing bowel hyperactivity. Seeking support for relaxation techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), can be helpful. If needed, you can discuss with your GP the possibility of a referral to a specialist incontinence clinic for additional help and support with bowel retraining exercises.

In the meantime, you can obtain a Radar Key and a Just Can't Wait card from the Bladder & Bowel Community. Additionally, you can request a toilet card from Macmillan by calling the support line or ordering it online. The Great British Public Toilet Map is a free website to locate public restrooms near you.

We recommend speaking to your GP or specialist Team if these symptoms persist, worsen, or if new symptoms arise.

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. 

Best wishes,

George

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

REF  GHi/KA

Hi George thanks so much for your ultra informative reply,it's just what I needed and is helping me greatly to move forward 

Regards 

Stuart