Question about long term effects of right hemicolectomy - can these be changeable even a year later?

Hi I’m sorry to hear about your problems. I know exactly what you mean about post treatment being harder than treatment - there’s nobody to quickly run it past and you don’t feel like you want to be nagging your consultant all the time and all the worry and anxiety just makes the problem worse? Having said that - you are the person that knows your body best. It could well be scar tissue and your return to work is pulling on areas that haven’t been used as much since the op. The scan and colonoscopy results are reassuring. Perhaps you could give the nurses in here a ring and see what they advise? The number is 

0808 808 00 00

Hope things start to improve for you

Take care

Karen x

Thanks,  Karen! I will give the nurses a ring. It’s exactly as you say - once you’re ‘released’ from treatment it’s harder to check things and get support and the anxiety definitely doesn’t help!

I am assuming that scar tissue can also affect the bowel by moving it or putting pressure on it - so maybe that is why bowel is a bit upset. 

Appreciate you replying on Boxing Day. Sometimes just helps to know that someone else understands!

Hi.... I had the same operation two and a half years ago, and at the beginning of our lockdown here in Spain, exactly the same symptoms that you are having... I was told the same ... could be scar tissue, etc etc... I got myself into a right old state, worrying and panicking about all of the boating and pain... I bothered the doctors over and over again.... tired numerous tablets (buscapena and the like)... eventually I had a colonoscopy in July (I was scheduled to have one in November anyway)... anyway there was nothing wrong..... they did a CT scan too... for me it was a bad case of nerves being so scared about stuff was making my tummy issues worse.... the mind is such a powerful thing... and you know once they told me there wasn’t anything to worry about, the pain and the bloating etc just went... look I’m not saying it’s the same for you, and I did speak to the nurses too.... who apparently said it can take years for things to settle down, if ever (!) but it’s something to consider.  My oncologist told me that it would be highly unlikely for anything to grow in that time.. and you say that you’ve had a colonoscopy too... I really do understand the worry and fears, they nag away at you, but for me it was the reassuring words from the oncologist that helped.... and if you are concerned don’t worry about bothering the experts... bother them and get the reassurance you need.... it will help, and it does get better.... take care x

I forgot to say I had the same gurgling and growling, bloating etc... and to make things worse several accidents while out! But that too has settled down, for now... I don’t expect it’ll be the last time, but what I’m learning is that there isn’t a normal, or going back to ‘normal’ ...things keep changing... the challenge is to live with this new you... I’m here if you need to chat 

Hi Southpaw1, 

Please don't ignore the symptoms. It may well be nothing and just the fact that you are back at work, or that you now have a slightly different diet or eating at different times. Have you had a recent CEA blood level taken as that would help with diagnosis also and hopefully put your mind at rest? I would give the CNS nurse another call. All the best and let us know how you get on. 

Thank you  so much for your really kind words. It is really helpful to hear from someone that has been in exactly the same position and knows what it is like. You’re so right about how it nags away at you. I will keep pressing for the reassurance I need. Slightly worried as stools are very thin and flat so back to worrying there is a blockage of some kind. I do wonder if it might be adhesions putting pressure on the bowel or making it kink slightly. I will get back in touch with my team and in the meantime will try to keep calm. I know exactly what you mean about the power of the mind too. 

Thank you again for taking the time to reply so thoughtfully during Christmas. I hope you are having a good break and a rest!

Thanks  that’s kind of you. I will definitely get back in touch with the nurses  this week and see what they say. I am starting to think maybe it’s adhesions pulling on the bowel but will put it back into their hands. I haven’t had my CEA done although my recent blood tests have been good. I am not even sure if my CEA is even indicative (I know it isn’t for everyone). Will follow up and let you know how I get on! Thanks again. 

Well for sure get it checked out... but I’ve had thin ones, flat one (some as big as yer head!)... but nothing really normal, what ever that is.  Have you messaged the nurses here? They are really helpful... I do hope you get the reassurance that you need soon... take care x

You are very welcome Southpaw1, 

How are you doing now? 

I hope you are OK and got the reassurance you needed. 

I am really reassured to find your query here. I had a left hemi colectomy about 6 weeks ago and as thing progress I am getting so uncomfortable with wind going around my colon. It's really painful - especially on the left. I can feel it with the palm of my hands through my skin and is now waking me up early in the morning, even in the daytime the twinges cut me short. It's a relief to know that I am not the only one with this problem. Maybe it's just the scar tissue. 

It's interesting that you had a right hemi & your bloating was mainly on the right - and mine on the left...and bloating on the left

How long did your bloating take to settle down?