Post right hemicolectomy - 4 years since

Rip 1 day ago

5 replies
103 subscribers
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Just wondering if anyone has had any symptoms like mine post op (right hemicolectomy 4 years ago).

We have been lucky enough (making most of things whilst can) to have several overseas holidays this year. Spain, Zakinthos and Montenegro. I had a bout of sickness and emptying of bowels like after Moviprep at each (no sickness at Montenegro though) This seemed to start 2 weeks after starting statins so came off them. However just been to Tenerife and happened again 2 days after arriving (no sickness though).

Having been off statins for 5 months I’m now thinking it’s not statins and is it because my bowels are sensitive to these kind of countries and their sanitation? I didn’t drink tap water. We did also go on a Norwegian cruise in September without any issues at all.

So wondering if anyone else has had similar incidents after this kind of operation?

Kareno62 1 day ago

Hi Rip I had these issues before my diagnosis - in fact that is why I went to the doctors as I was having loose stools and dreading how much worse it would get on holiday - the doctor referred me for a colonoscopy (which I postponed until after my holiday) and the rest is history.

I take 1 loperamide before my evening meal but usually still have several toilet visits throughout the evening. Could it be because you’re consuming more liquid throughout the day? Do you eat richer foods on holiday? Like you say it may be that your bowels are sensitive to change although seems strange that you had no problems on the cruise.

Sorry that I haven’t got any answers. I went out for a meal last Saturday and had garlic mushrooms in a creamy sauce followed by chicken in a Madeira sauce and the rumblings started within an hour of getting home and continued until 5.30am. As you say it was like I’d taken moviprep and I was shocked how bad it was - so glad we didn’t go for a drink afterwards.

Keep enjoying the holidays and stock up on loperamide

Take care

Karen x

Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

Rip 1 day ago in reply to Kareno62

Hi. Thanks for your reply Kareno62. I also like you had those issues before my diagnosis so was worried it was happening again. I think maybe my bowels are probably just over sensitive then - had aolonoscopy in August and saw consultant in September and don’t want to see me now for 2 years so fingers crossed just one of those things to be aware of when travel. I entered into the aspirin trial after my chemo and therefore take omeprazole each morning.

Rip 1 day ago in reply to Rip

Don’t know why there is an emoji on the word colonoscopy!

Susan13 18 hours ago

Keep in mind that you are exposed to all sorts of new germs when you travel. It's the people and the surfaces you touch and all sorts of completely unavoidable things. You may be getting sick from things like that as well. I'd be worried if this was happening at home when everything was routine but I wouldn't worry about it under these circumstances.

Rip 6 hours ago in reply to Susan13

Yes you’re right. I did have the runs problem two weeks after Montenegro in June when back home and was the reason I came off statins to see if that made a difference. It seemed to have made a difference until I went to Tenerife Maybe the hygiene is better on a ship when we did the cruise without problems, as keen to not have outbreaks on a ship.