How is the new "normal" after ileostomy reversal - worried about if it is back?

Hello, I’m sorry no ones replied and I’m afraid I really don’t know much about stoma reversal but I’m sure people would advise you to phone the Macmillan helpline on 08088080000 Monday to Friday from 0900 to 2000 maybe you can phone now. If too late phone your Drs surgery. Good luck  

Hi magps,

Sorry you are having this worry. It may not be anything, but you do need to get it checked out.

Have you a follow up appt? If not, could you phone your colorectal nurse to get one, or if you have one, get it brought forward.

You need reassurance and some answers, so don't be put off.

Good luck. 

Seaspirit xxx

I Mag, Always bring any bleeding issues or any concerns for that matter to your Dr. or Surgeons attention. Don't over worry though it sounds as if you're describing my bms to a tee and I'm four months post reversal. I also get a little bright red every couple of days while wiping up the surgeon thought nothing of it and put it down to irritation. He looked at the reattachment yesterday using a rigid sigmoidoscopy and said everything looked good. He also told me we don't hit our healing plateau until two yrs out. I'm pleased now so that was excellent news to me. Hang in there we'll get to our "New normal" eventually.

Hi 

Thank you for replying.

I called the colorectal nurse Friday and will have appointment on Tuesday with the Surgeons. She told me to not worry so much but it is impossible to not be worried about it...

Hi  Magog, 

I’m two and a bit years post illeostomy reversal, so for me, bowel movements are thinner in diameter than before, long and thinner, though for me, fragmentation is there were lots of smaller lumps, none of which thought they could be at helpful by appearing in any kind of regular order. 

As for your other symptoms, to be honest I’d be trottingvalong to my cancer nurse specialist and explaining what you’ve explained here, or your GP, ( better still both, see CNS first, get him/ her to chat to GP as well as you seeing your GP, or ask your GP to get you a kind of early follow up appointment post surgery. 

Am saying this not because your post immediately made me think “ ohh that’s a concern” Re Cancer coming back, ( though honestly I think we all have that on our minds a great deal) but because you mentioned the bleeding and fissure, and because depending on wether you had radiotherapy as well, it can leave the bowel scarred and more fragile, and you have to consider that fissures and soreness can be part of that treatment,so if it was me, I’d be seeking some re-assurance and support. 

I have days when I go to the loo lots, other days it’s less, still have urgency and frequency too, but some days are fairly normal ish. 

Hope you get some answers and some good support as well! Xxxx 

Hi 

Thank you for taking time to reply.

I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy before my first surgery. I was having some bleeding before the treatment and was what made me go to GP and having the colonoscopy and so on that lead to the diagnosis of rectal cancer...then the bleeding  stopped after treatment until first surgery.

I had the ileostomy during 6 months and after reversal, the second surgery, had major bleeding but was related to the ileostomy reversal, the junction and stitches according to the doctors and they said I had a fissure too and that was causing a lot of pain passing stools. Now the pain is better, it is still a bit uncomfortable sometimes but I have some blood when I wipe and mucus.

Hope is all "normal" and related to the surgery and bowel to get used to work again...

Hello. I know that your big worry is cancer which I did not have but I have had/do have fissures which initially started all my problems and I passed a lot of blood with them. I have had two children and only childbirth can rival the pain of fissures. In September of 2015 I went into the hospital for a huge surgery Pelvic floor surgery, non invasive. The surgeon perforted my colon and took a scalpel an basically hired me. He could not fix the problem had to call two other surgeons in the third one saved my life. I woke up in a colostomy bag and in shock. 4 1/2 months later had a reversal. Back to you. The prep for it was a nightmare. I can't remember how long each thing took but it took a while for things to settle down and many many bowel movements later I am better than I have ever been. My bowels move better than ever. So if there's truth to the 2 year mark I'm there and I'm doing well. Hope I am giving at least a little encouragement. Good luck to all. Last Oct my sister was diagnosed with bowel cancer and lung cancer. Two different kinds of cancer. They have operated on her colon cancer and will do surgery on lung soon. God help you all. Diane. 

Hi Diane

Im glad you're doing well  and I hope your sister makes a good recovery too.

Take care,

VickiLynne

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