Developed ileus 1 week post-op. Any advice on coping and recovering?

Hi FiM, so sorry to hear you have developed problems after your surgery. It is very early days so I'm hoping things will settle down so for you. Cystectomy is not my experience so can't offer any advice but there are many of our site members who have had a range of issues post surgery so hoping one will pop along soon to share what has happened to them. Sending you lots of love and hoping you will find as many ways to be kind to yourself and distract you from anxiety as possible. Big hugs Hxx

Hi Fiona,I’m sorry to hear you have Ileus and an infection.Ileus sadly is very common following cystectomy but hopefully it will settle soon and you will start feeling better.Sometimes if the vomiting is bad they give you a nasal gastric tube to help.If you are able to move about a bit out of bed that might help to get the bowels moving.I hope you feel better soon.Love Jane xx

Hi FiM,

I had ileus (and a nasal gastric tube as mentioned by Wickers) though mine started while in the ICU just after the op. It wasn't pleasant and I stopped eating  for a day or so  to let things settle down. As soon as I got to the ward on day 2 or 3 I didn't have it again.

I was in hospital for a few days extra while we sorted out my husband who had  become ill too and needed heart surgery (he had intended to be my carer though I ended up doing it for him when he left hospital a week or so later than me with help from  our daughter and her husband plus a paid carer at first).

As a result I ate whatever hospital food was on offer even if I didn't feel like it so I could start getting fitter quickly. I managed to increase the amount of food over time (not that it was particularly delicious, but I regarded it merely as fuel) and drank lots of water, especially as I also had to deal with the constipation that ensued after the ileus, before they would let me out.

All of this disturbance of bowel function is normal after having a urostomy created so nothing to worry about even though not very pleasant.

As soon as I got out of hospital I ate whatever I wanted (in increasing quantities of course, and treated the constipation with broccoli soup - it works.)

In fact sorting all of that out meant I had less time to stress over the stoma and bags and probably that did me no harm.

You'll soon be over this hump and getting on with life back home.

All the best,

Latestart

Hi Fiona, sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I’ve not experienced either ileus nor infection but hope you are getting the very best treatment. I’m finding the recovery difficult even without complications. It’s a slow old process. Hang on in there, the others assure us it will get better.

Best wishes, Jane (DorisDog)

Thank you yes 3 nurses tried to insert the NG tube yesterday but they couldn’t due to my nose they all think at one time I’ve had a broken nose I probably have my ex husband was abusive and I’m a black belt in taekwondo so I’ve had a few punches in my nose before but at least the vomiting stoped I had a large coffee ground vomit first then this bile green vomiting my temp spiked again tonight so had more iv paracetamol and antibiotics and I have IV fluids still running so hoping things settle soon thank you for saying it is very common after this it’s helping me know others get passed this 

Thank you so very much I’m so sorry to hear of your hard time I do feel the pain now is wind i had some clear soup today and I will try to eat more tomorrow I’ve never been off my food in my life but I will take on board your advice I’ve never tried broccoli soup but I will thank you 

How rotten for you.I had Ileus too.I hope these complications are over quickly.Your recovery can begin then and these bad experiences will be behind you.Take care love Jane xx

Don't worry, it all worked out ok and in fact stopped me thinking just about myself. It even hastened my recovery. No time to think about it meant I just got on with things. Not that I recommend helping someone after heart surgery as a counter balance to stoma surgery (particularly for family).

All the best,

Latestart