Bowel problems

Hi, I know how miserable that feels. I finished my treatment in November 2019  and had bowel problems similar to you. I really couldn’t isolate which food caused the painful wind etc. In the end I continued to try and eat a varied diet and go with the flow. Mashed potatoes became a go to staple with the fish. The bouts became more sporadic and I can honestly say it very rarely happens  now and I had my first Christmas without issues in 2021. So, it will get better a keep trying to eat well.

Thank you so much for that.  I feel very lonely at times.  We moved into this area in sept 2019 (from France) and since then it has been firstly sorting my husbands health issues, he has ongoing prostrate cancer issues in control now at last and this year on top on my treatment in July he had to have a new hip after 8 months on ever increasing morphine and because of the drugs and being 81 it is taking a long recovery.  The NHS was fixated on his cancer and would not accept us saying it is his hip, in the end we had to pay privately as the waiting list was in July 14 months so he still wouldn’t have had it and he is back with me now no longer dopey on morphine.  Then came my diagnosis and the operation followed by the treatment and of course covid isolation.  At Christmas the friend I had made in this block of flats died from cancer so I lost my confident, a woman on my wave length and we would put the world to rights together.

today I start again on the light diet, haha.  So had toast and tea at 6.30am.  Now having a small cup of porridge with some stewed apple for flavour.  Lunch will be mash (I hate mash) and white fish as salmon seems to upset my tum and I love salmon.  Tea time perhaps a yoghurt or I may make a jelly.  Last night for tea I had a scrambled egg on toast and that seemed OK.

sorry I am ranting but again thank you for responding.  Having a bit of a POM party (poor old me) today married 58 years so can’t help looking back and wondering where it all went.

I have times when my face is wet with tears but I feel quite smiley so weird.

Hello again Shortly. I remember when you joined the group, partly hubby issues - mine had Prostate cancer and was waiting for a new hip. We'd decided to go private when out of the blue we got a call asking him if he'd like his hip replaced. I was done on 19th November and he's been fine ever since.

I developed diverticulosis after my op and had to change my eating habits. Previously I'd liked kidney beans, chick peas, wholegrain rice and bread, jacket potatoes, lots of fruit, pulses etc. But my gut was like a massive fermentation vat causing wind and excruciating pains. I had to change my diet to more bland offerings, white bread, eggs, fish, chicken. mashed potatoes. In fact avoiding anything with a "skin" on it.

I must say it has worked but have a word with your GP to check it out.

Hugs, Barb xx

I had bowel problems for a long time. Sudden urge to go which has improved after over three years so is easier. Wind is significantly worse so try not to eat too many pulses! Hope you find a solution x

Please remember it will get better but it takes time. Our bodies have been through such a lot and they need to repair. Keep up your spirits. 

I have always been "windy" and this caused some concern to staff during RT.  As well as being told to modify my diet I was also advised to eat slowly as that means you swallow less air and also chew my food well as that starts digestion.   Not easy if you are habitually a fast eater (probably a longstanding legacy of school dinners!). 

At the time well cooked carrots were one of my standby veg.   In the months after treatment I was able to gradually return to my normal diet with few issues.  But one unfortunate experience told me that I must NEVER eat jerusalem artichokes! 

Thank you I have spoken to my nurse and she was a great help and I am making a food and wind etc diary.  Well Jerusalem artichokes are well know for flatulence and always make sure all your friends eat them with you.  I now have to have a hip replacement so onwards will not give in or back down.  Luckily I have good genes (welsh origin) and I am a fighter although sometimes I stutter and have to remotivate.

I had my total hysterectomy last July and ever since I've had horrible bowel problems. I regularly have urgency and pain then diarrhoea which is inconvenient and embarrassing. I can go several times a day! I mentioned it to my gynaecologist who said that the surgery was challenging due to adhesions from my two caesarians.

Hi, 

I have had issues also. I have been for a scope type thing where they have shown me the damage from the radiotherapy. The doctor has recommended a wheat free diet to help give the bowel a chance to repair. (Apparently wheat distresses a healthy bowel far less one that has been damaged) anyways, I’m week 3 of doing this and I still have the urgency to go however not as bad and I seem to be back to once a day opposed 3/4/5 times a day. 

I miss my normal diet however hoping with no wheat my bowel will heal naturally and then I can introduce wheat again slowly

Jen 

xxx

Hi Shortly

I sympathise! I had my surgery last July, and then RT and brachytherapy in October/November. I had bad diarrhea during the treatment, and since then have had ongoing "issues", and am having problems balancing my diet. I'm normally mainly vegetarian, though I do eat some meat, and trying to find what doesn't give me gut spasms has taken some doing. It IS improving, though, thankfully. The last few days, however, I've been a bit constipated and bloated, I think because I've overdone the carbs in an attempt to balance out the veggies. It is a real pain, isn't it, trying to work out what you can eat. Hang in there, it will get better. As far as carbs are concerned, I've found pasta easier on the tum than potatoes, if that helps. Gxx