Discomfort after hemicolectomy

Hi Torrrrrrr 

Welcome to the forum.

You have had such a tough time . Has your surgeon offered an opinion on what is causing some of these symptoms or the continuing bleeding . That’s a lot to handle and I would think pretty exhausting in itself .

Our helpline staff can access nurses for advice so you might like to try them on 0808 808 0000. They might be able to guide you on how to approach this to get a resolution.

Take care ,

Court 

Hi Torrrrr. Have you been tested for bile acid malabsorption? It’s mentioned on page 6 of this booklet and more common in people who’ve had a right hemicolectomy 

 https://bowelcancerorguk.s3.amazonaws.com/Publications/RegainingBowelControl_BowelCancerUK.pdf

Take care

Karen x

Hi Torrrrrrr,

Sorry to hear you’re having such a tough time. I can’t comment on the menstrual bleeding but as Karen says you could have Bile Acid Malabsorption (BAM). I’m posting a link to a thread I’ve commented on re BAM to save duplication and happy to speak to you regarding things I’ve tried that seem to work and don’t work.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis/259738/bowels-on-strike#pifragment-13906=2

Since my last posting on above thread I’ve now got an appt through with gastroenterologist in a few weeks so hopefully will get firm diagnoses soon. I’ve also cut out the Yakult drink I was taking daily as I think this might have been causing too much good bacteria and I’ve also cut out oats, a bit upset about having to do that, but it does seem to have helped further. 

Do hope this helps.

Neet77 x

I am at the beginning of this journey and it is distressing to hear of your problems.  I am currently going through horrible symptoms which are scary when you do not know what is happening and there seems to be little help on a local level.  largely unsupported at home, I imagine all sorts of things might be happening and I wonder why I seem to be taking steps backwards instead of forwards!  It helps to finally read that others are having a difficult time too.....not because I want that to be the case, but because I feel less alone.  I wish you well

Hey! Sorry to hear you’re having some issues post surgery! What horrible symptoms are you having and when was your surgery ? 

I was told it takes a good 12 months for things to settle down and heal. I’m taking it as trial and error now with my diet and what foods cause symptoms… but acne found a solution yet. At the minute I’m avoiding dairy but I still seem to have a lot of bowel issues. 

take care 

I had my op 3.5 weeks ago so it is all very new.  Initially I made a great recovery but have gone downhill ever since.  I have an infected wound which does not seem to be responding to antibiotics and the feelings of pain and swelling are of concern to me.  I expect to not be in great form, but I do worry about the infection and what is going on inside me.  Just my insecurity I suppose. When you are mostly on your own , unexplained pains can feel worrying and sometimes I feel as though my tummy is going to split open.  Goodness knows why!  I know all this will take time, but it is the vulnerable feeling that I do not like, plus the difficulty in getting help from medics, especially at the weekends, when worst symptoms seem to start.  Thanks for replying

Yeah, I also had the feeling my stomach was going to come open but that was more down to the fact that I had open surgery and when I was sewn up , the skin didn’t touch so it looked open to me for quite a while. 

have you tried ringing Macmillan and asking to speak to a nurse ?they might be able to help! I called once and was advised to go to A&E if I started to feel worse. 

But yeah… I’m 6 months post surgery and still getting random pains and discomfort which worries me 

I hope you get some help or reassurance soon! I don’t think anything is an insecurity after major surgery. Our bodies have been through a lot