Fear and pain

Sorry to hear of your concerns; & of course after such an Op. any niggling pains/ loose stools are worrying for those that have been through this.

I had a left Hemicolectomy in May '19. & my bowels are now working near to normal......though I do experience looser stools when I eat certain things. For me, it's coffee & eggs.So, perhaps take a look at what you have eaten, when they occur.

My first Colonoscopy following my Op. was in March this year - which was clear. I may be wrong, but I thought that here in the UK, the general procedure is to have these on a yearly basis for 5 years after? Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in this area can ascertain that here.

Your CT Scan & blood tests were fine, which is encouraging for you. However, it sounds to me as if having a Colonoscopy now, will further put your mind at rest. Obviously, I have no idea of Spanish healthcare system. But, can you not explain your fears fully to your medics?

Wishing you all the best

Marianne

Hi Marianne, thank you for taking the time to answer my message.

I have spoken to my medicina interna and the oncologist and they both say I don’t need to do a colonoscopy yet.  It’s a private insurance that I’m under here.  I don’t know about the protocol with the Spanish health system but my oncologist said I could wait 2 or even 3 years.... but I don’t feel happy about that.  I’m a worrier and I think this is compounding the issue... the doctors say it’s a mechanical issue and as the scans are all clear it’s not anything bad... but I just want to know what is causing the pain... they doctor said it might be diviculitus or adhesions? 

It does sound as if it could be Diverticulitis...which apparently, is normally felt as pain in the lower left side. It can also cause loose stools/ diarrhoea. Adhesions/ scar tissue, can arise from the internal stitches.

As you say, your bloods are all fine, plus if your CT scan was a full body one & was shown to be clear, I'd probably be reassured by what your team is telling you.

My original full body CT scan showed something 'suspicious' in my descending colon, which turned out to be cancer. So if as you say, yours is all clear....I would try to relax & not to worry so much about it....(easier said than done,) & just see how it goes. I think your team would insist on a Colonoscopy, if they thought there was need to.

Best wishes.

Marianne

Hi dd1234

I'd like to say hello and welcome.  I see Marianne has been in touch.

It is so difficult to know what to expect after surgery for bowel cancer.  I had colon cancer back in 2011 and I had lots of pain and found that some of it was due to diet.  

I was told to go on a low fibre diet, which I did but I also kept a note on what upset me.  I found that red meat, high fibre and spicy foods were the worst.  High fibre veg, such as broccoli and cauliflower gave me problems and I didn't eat them for a while.  There are some foods that I still cannot digest, beetroot - which I love - I have had to remove from my diet.

I don't miss red meat, I eat chicken and fish and find these are fine.  I gradually introduced veg such as broccoli and cauliflower back into my diet and can eat them now, but have to watch how much else it sends me running to the loo.  I still have times when something upsets me and when that happens I go back to a bland diet.

Health systems are so different from Country to Country but it is usual here in UK to have a follow up colonoscopy about three months after surgery, but you can only go on what is the norm in Spain.  You might find that it would be worth paying to have a follow up colonoscopy if you feel that it would put your mind at rest.

Ask your consultant if there was any evidence of diverticulitis before surgery.  I had pain which was also put down to adhesions - which I understand is quite common.  After my last follow-up colonoscopy I was told that I now have diverticulitis which had never been picked up before, but it isn't causing me too many problems at the moment.

Take care,

VickiLynne 

It Might be diviculitus but I thought that would show on a scan?  It’s a weird pain, sometimes it’s niggly, sometimes pulling feeling... sometimes it goes away (hurray) the CT scan was from the neck down.

And as I said I don’t actually have a team... it’s all very disjointed here... private insurance means there is a very fine line between patient and customer. My doctor is in one hospital and oncologist in another... I can go to see a specialist in many different hospitals... it’s all so confusing... x

Hi Vicki

thank you for your message.  I suppose I just don’t know what the norm is here, Im on private medical insurance and I don’t have a team to contact. I had a colonoscopy in November  7 months after the surgery which was in May 2018... no mention then of diviculitus but it might be there now?

I expect the gastro doc will recommend a colonoscopy even though the oncologist said it’s not needed yet... its a lot about the money here..

Hi dd1234

Yes, money does come into it over here too, and also where about in the country you live.

I know that over here the guidelines for repeat colonoscopies has changed since I was diagnosed, I was told that after the post surgery colonoscopy, it  would have one every year for the first five years, then it changed to every two years and now I think that the norm is five years after post op colonoscopy  and if all ok often people are then signed off.  In the UK there is a shortage of clinicians to carry out colonoscopies and with the introduction of the one off scope test for everyone who reaches 55 it has put even more pressure on the system.  The one off scope testt should by now have been available countrywide but it is still unavailable in many areas of the country.

I do hope you are able to have another colonoscopy and that all is well.

Take care,

VickiLynne

Hi VickiLynne

Fortunately I can book to get one done, because it’s private and hopefully quickly, I’m sure it will help to calm me down.... and maybe then the pain will go away....