Just arrived.

Good morning DGH47. 

Well done you for sharing and keep sharing keep on the this site speak to others I know this site well the bowel/colon  cancer forum  as that's more my diagnosed condition has really helped me more ways than one.

Big Beautiful hugs 

Hello Dave

Thanks for a lovely read. It really made me smile when you said that you were the same age for one day. That’s a really heartwarming thing to say 

Now I had a stoma with my op and then it was reversed so I was in the stoma support group anyway when I was trying to regain control so I have linked you the LARS below you’ll have to join the stoma group as it’s part of that however LARS is Lower Anterior Resection Syndrome. There’s so much info there. exercise, diet ,and meds advice. I found it so helpful and I’m improving slowly. Some days are better that others but I’m definitely having longer gaps between toilet trips which is giving me confidence to go out more 

take care 

community.macmillan.org.uk/.../stoma-reversal-and-lars

Hi Dave. Just wanted to pop this booklet up too to see if it helps? If you’ve had some of the right hand side of your bowel removed then it can cause a problem with bile malabsorption which is mentioned on page 6?

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

As Ann mentioned there’s lots of info on the stoma group and there’s also a LARS group on a popular social media page if you search online that you can join

Welcome to the gang and I hope you are able to find something to improve things for you

Take care

Karen x

Hi Dave,

We are the same age and I had a LAR removing most of my rectum back in September 2019, an ileostomy for a year then a reversal, so I had to get used to the new me  two years ago. I got used to taking Loperamide (Imodium) while I had the stoma and could take up to six a day, always taking two half an hour before  meal. So I was quite happy to keep taking a lower dose if I needed it after the reversal. I wouldn't be worried about using them if it helps.

It took time to get confidence and for the output to bulk up. I believe that in time what colon is left tries to compensate for the old storage space but whereas before we would empty that storage space now we sometimes seem to work more like a tube of toothpaste.  I also believe that the nerves that would tell you when you need to go were damaged as part of the operation.

I tried to do two things, one was to try to hold on for as long as possible (in a safe place!), the other was never to think I had finished straight away. An extra five minutes sometimes saved a quick return. I also took on more fibre.

Now most days are good and any slight problems can be related to something specific that I have eaten.

I hope that it improves for you and that you get to enjoy your new life.

Cheers

John

Hello Dave

Good to hear a bit about you and written so sweetly.  

I’m new too and seeing several responses gives one hope and positivity that as time goes on, one can adjust to new things no matter what stage in life one is at. 

I hope you get more used to going out and feeling more confident about being less restricted as time goes on.  I don’t think we can put a time on things and the less pressure you put on yourself the better. 

It’s lovely that you have a partner who is understanding, that makes a lot of difference. 

I have a stoma bag and would avoid going out to eat or meet friends however I do more so now and use Loperimide like crankshaft  to reduce going to the bathroom and to thicken my output.  It takes getting used to using a bathroom I’ve not been too and I’m still not there yet with loads of confidence, checking my bag discreetly while out! But I have to get on with trying to enjoy myself when I can as I still have cancer and you only live once. I remain as positive as possible and feel good overall.

You’ll get there as time goes on, especially with forum members supporting you with advice from their experience and knowledge and knowing that you’re not on your own with your diagnosis/prognosis. 

All the best

sebbie

Thanks to all for your responses, the links provided have been very informative and of course the replies remind me that I’m not alone on this journey.

Hi Sebbie as you can tell by my avatar I had a stoma. I lacked confidence about going out and enjoying myself I joined 

 Ileostomy, colostomy and stoma support 

oh that made such a difference. I remember crankshaft thanks John he really helped me. That no nonsense approach did me the world of good. I had so many tips from the members there. I stayed away six weeks post op and flew to Spain with Kath and Sarah’s advice. They gave me so much confidence. I definitely lived life to the full with my stoma. 
Take care 

Thank you Ann, I am hoping I’ll get to push myself more as time goes on.  I am going out more whereas before I was reluctant to.  

Pleased to hear you were encouraged by the support received from members of the group which gave you the confidence and motivation to go out and enjoy life.  

Take care and thanks again for words of encouragement. 

Sebbie

Hi DGH47 ,

thank you for saying hi & sharing. The booklet that Kareno62  linked has also helped me today (2 weeks post surgery & adjusting to bowel behaviour)

Thank you both & all the best!

B x