My husband had a radical cysectomy at the beginning of September and we're having to adjust to the changes. His recovery appears to be going well, he's much stronger than when he came home from hospital, his appetite is increasing and the stoma is settling down. The main problems he has are with his bowels. The urge to go can be very strong but, when he gets to the toilet, it often turns out just to be wind. He can't distinguish between wind and a genuine movement. When he gets the urge to go, he can't afford any delay in case it isn't wind; indeed he's had a few small 'accidents'. Also, when he does pass a motion, it is usually followed by a second about 10 or 15 mins later and then a third after a further 10-15 mins. This means he can't go anywhere in the morning until he's sure that he's had his morning motions. The thought of being caught short whilst out of the house weighs on his mind.
All this bowel activity causes him discomfort and pain in his backside. He often finds it sore sitting down and will resort to lying on the sofa to take the weight off his sore rear end.
And then there's the flatulence . . . the smells this generates are particularly noxious. Mostly, this can be confined to the bathroom but the odours do creep out into the rest of the house which is very unpleasant. It bothers him at night in the bedroom when the atmosphere can become quite pungent. I've been sleeping in the spare room but hoping to get back in with him once he was feeling better but there is no way I could cope with the noxious fumes he generates at the moment.
Oh dear, that all sounds very plaintive. We are hugely grateful to the medical team who diagnosed and operated on my husband. Without the operation in September, he doubts whether he would have seen Christmas at the rate the bladder cancer was spreading. So we are keen to make the most of life now that he's been given this chance.
What I'd like to know is:,
Are these bladder and flatulence problems common after a radical cysectomy?
Will things settle down in time or will he have to learn to live with some level of discomfort?
Does anyone have any hints/tips/remedies for easing his discomfort and/or reducing the flatulence?
And finally, he will be starting a course of chemotherapy in November. Will this have any effect on his bladder problems?
I now have the image of a whirling dervish in my mind 
Hello Talisker
I had chemo before my cystectomy. It certainly was a period of highs and lows, one day like concrete, the next like water. I was taking Lactulose and Immodium regularly as the steroid pills we get to off set the nausea do play havoc with the bowel. It took about two years for the occasional bottom dribble to stop and can be quite distressing/damned annoying but he will get the hang of it in time. I noticed that red wine really did give me the sloppies so I've cut right back on that too (I drink white mostly now instead!)
The pressure of constipation and the rush of diarrhea gave me piles and passing anything felt like broken glass so I recommend Sudocrem for the sore anus but you may wish to allow him to apply to himself.
I recommend also that he drinks more water or weak juice as it helps to soften the stools, eat porridge as it binds the fecal matter, avoid too much root and cabbage related veg and fizzy drinks to tackle the gas - I was known to clear a room but it's ok now.
Here's a copy of the Bristol Stool Chart, always useful so you can describe accurately if asked by a medic.
If you'd like some tips about what to expect from the chemo, let me know.
CB.
I may appear to be listening but in my head I'm all at sea.
Sounds pretty much like my a**e in normal circumstances 
