colostomy reversal

Last summer (August 2012) I started to feel pretty sick. At first, I thought I had really bad gas, and then had a really bad fever. (I just turned 40)

The next day, I was feeling a little better and went to work. I still wasn't feeling well (sore lower back, sore abdomen) and went to the bathroom. There was blood in my urine, so I left work immediately and drove myself to the hospital.

I was admitted right away, had numerous CT Scans, ultrasounds and a lot of blood work, and was diagnosed with Diverticulitis. After 8 days and a lot of antibiotics, I was released from the hospital on a strict regimen of antibiotics and pain killers.

Fast forward, 3 weeks later and I was back in the hospital, sore, tired and lethargic. My blood work and CT Scan showed that the Diverticulitis was still inflamed, and had gotten worse. I had my surgery on September 26, 2012, and was told that I may or may not have to have a colostomy after the surgery.

I wake up in my hospital room, all groggy and the first thing I do is reach down to my stomach to see if I do have a colostomy or not. Much to my disappointment, I had one.

I was in the hospital for another week after the surgery, fever, pain, on heavy antibiotics (Piptaz) and on pain killers (morphine & toradol)

My Surgeon, who is fantastic (operation happened at the QEH on PEI, Canada) told me that it would be 6 months before I had a reversal. I guess I was ok living with this bag for 6 months, knowing the end game would be getting rid of it and being healthy again.I still wasn't right for a few months and have had several more CT Scans (total of 5 CT Scans since Aug. 12, 2 ultrasounds, 1 MRI, and a lot of blood work), and it was found that I have an abscess and the surgery would be postponed for 6 months AFTER he is sure the abscess and any inflammation has subsided. I am now scheduled to have my resection the first of June, a bit later than I had wanted, but I'll take it.

I was told however that I may have to have a temporary ileostomy (for 3 months) after my surgery, and then go back for yet another surgery to have that reversed.

Now that you know the history, and what's upcoming, I am just wondering if any of you have had similar circumstances - colostomy, reversal, ileostomy, surgery, recovery.....

Reading a bunch of these posts about - running to the bathroom after the resection, and potential leakage, just wondering what percentage of you have had this issue.

Thanks for your help & hope to hear from you soon.

 

 

You will find an ileostomy different from the colonostomy. The waste material will not have been through the colon, and so will probably contain more liquid. There is thus a greater risk of leakage. I was not running to the bathroom after the resection (I had an ileostomy, so did not need the bathroom!), but after the closure (reversal) I did have greater urgency to start with, and still have to be careful what I eat in that regard. However, taking loperamide hydrochloride helps.

hope your husband is ok know.and yes that is what your Stoma nurse is there for.
i have a good stoma nurse.i had a colostomy last may.
thanks caroline.

Hi everyone :)

It has been useful and interesting to read everyones posts here.  I too had to have an emergency colostomy.  Im 30 years old and had a laparoscopy and histeroscopy early January to investigate fertility issues.  It was supposed to be a day case but I didnt recover well and was kept in for 2 days. 

During this time I was unable to wee, had on/off breathing difficulties requiring an oxygen mask, excruciating pain and by the 2nd day I had started to vomit however, it was a saturday I was the last patient on the ward and they decided to send me home, passing the blame on to me for not walking around enough to get rid of trapped gas!

I lasted 4 days at home, after which I was starting to hallucinate, my pulse was all over the place and I have never experienced pain like I did then in all my life (we did seek advice from a&e 2 days prior as I was getting worse, but I had managed to have a small trickle of wee and so on the flip side thinking 'was I starting to get better?' a&e didnt seem concerned and said if we believed it to be an emergency then come in but it may be a long wait or monitor myself at home and call doctor out if I did not get better).

I presented at a&e 4 days after discharge. The following day I had to have emergency surgery were they removed 9 inches of bowel and flushed me out with 10 litres of fluid.  The bowl was so rotted they couldnt tell if it had been ruptured but suspect this was the case and also possible rupture of my womb.  Turns out I had peritonitus, sepsis, renal failuer and e-coli.  I should never have been discharged from the first procedure and I am very lucky to be alive. 

My family were told to prepare for the worst after the emergency surgery but here I am nearly 5 months on, coping ok with my stoma though it certainly took some getting used to particularly with regards to clothing I can no longer wear jeans and I am very limited on types of trousers I can wear due to the positioning of it but to be honest nothing matters really I am just so thankful to be here.

I am due to have a reversal operation in september/october time about which I am very nervous, especially if they have to open me up fully again as i took a long time to properly heal first time round.  It has helped reading peoples stories on here so thankyou, hopefully I can post again in october with a successful reversal story.

Good luck to all those and awaiting their surgery and thanks to all for sharing your stories.

So I am glad to hear what you had to say but my brother is scared to eat because of cramping and pain how long before you were bsck ti normal

Yes hello, I've had colon surgery with a colostomy 8 weeks ago, I keep getting blocked up and the cramps are bad constant , do you know what I could do?

Donna, my name is Shari and i had an emergency colostomy due to diverticulitis almost 6 months ago (reversal is April 3 of this year). I typically read these but don't respond but had the same issue as you. The issue is they tell you to eat a low fiber diet but after a while (like two months), you need to eat some fiber again. Drink plenty of fluids and if you find a food that causes you to go (for me watermelon), eat that when you are feeling blocked. It does regulate in time I think or maybe you just learn how to best handle it. Again, drink plenty of fluids and introduce some fiber back in the diet to make you go. Although I can't recommend this, I find that gently pressing on the area around the stoma (where the wafer is) sometimes can get things going. Good luck - you will get through it although I can't say that I will be sad to get rid of this soon.

I had my stoma revesal on feb 12 2014 . I had z sucessuful surgery with no pain. Thank god

Wow very inciteful. I had my reversal about 2 weeks ago and it seems to be going good but I feel I'm a little constipated cause I don't go every day But otherwise wound is healing which I had a hernia to. But thank god so far good. Thanks cariltn

Wow I thank God I have not had the problems as some of you. I had an excellent surgeon but they just do not inform you of what to expect. Going to the bathroom 4-8 times a day and I had my reversal about the same time as you Carolyn. I guess we are all different. Also my wound was not closed up so I have a hole in my belly. I guess they want it to heal from the inside out. Still I am grossed out. Thanks, Carol Ann

My mom had an emergency colostomy done nov 2013 due to a perforated bowel. She was septic when she arrived at the ER and was taken back into surgery within ten minutes of arrival. She had and is still having a tough recovery period. She has to ambulate with a walker and cant go any further than 30 or so feet. She is scheduled to have reconnective surgery this summer but is terrified due to the previous circumstances. I cant really say if the recovery period is going to be shorter the second time around, but Im hoping so due to the fact that Im in the army and stationed about 6 hours away. Good luck to all and a speedy recovery!!

My life has mostly been pretty normal since the colostomy and reversal. I am quite regular again. My only problem is a couple hernias, which I still haven't had taken care of. One of them is right where the stoma was, so It looks like an awful pouch. You may recall from my original posting, that My Mom went through this at the same time as me. She ALSO had a couple hernias. So weird. She just had had her hernia surgery though. I'm so reluctant to go "under the knife again". Trying to lose some more weight before I do. More scars. LOL. Oh well. Who said life is easy?

oh, guess i forgot my log in. I was RodInNH

I am about 2 months past my reversal and found this site when looking for some answers. I too had the emergency colostomy due to an unknown case of diverticulitis.  I made it worse by thinking it was menstrual cramps and delaying a trip to the doc.  There is not a lot of discussion on this subject for the patient.  So I would rather share my experience for the next person than leave people looking for answers and unable to find them.  Hoping finding this site will offer me some peace.

As far as the surgery, at first the reversal was great.  About a week afterwards I started experiencing great pain and it turned out I had 2 infections and had to have a 3rd surgery to remove the infections and then was left open and had a wound vac attached.  Although, I wish I had not had that complication the wound vac is rather miraculous. 

I came looking for answers about what seems to be my new "normal" bowel movements.  It looks like, from reading here that very loose or wet stools are normal.  And it seems to make sense that since having the sigmoid colon removed, less water is removed and the S shape movement is more of a thing of the past.  I am also experiencing almost instant movements after eating, especially at a restaurant.  Go figure!

Now reading from several of you that this is all somewhat normal, I am having trouble getting past good old fashioned fear.  I am terrified of having another attack or episode while alone or while I am with our son alone.  We managed to keep the complete details from the 13 year old, so all he really knows is that I had a few surgeries to remove and repair my intestine.  He does not know about the pouch.

Has anyone else experienced the "fear" afterwards?  It is practically crippling.  I am not depressed, actually the opposite.  Everything in my life is going wonderfully.  Until I am alone or alone with our son, and the panic attacks kick in.  Has anyone else gone through this?  Thoughts and advice would be appreciated.  Thank you all for sharing your experiences, I think it has helped ease some of the fear.

 

No, seeking another opinion about surgery is important! I have a excellent Doctor, right here in Cleveland Ohio! I too went through Colonstomy, on Feb. 13, 2013, went in for a blockage in my large intestine, and woke up with a bag on my side. On Oct.21, 2013, it was reverse, my doctor was able to remove the large tumor, and though finding I have the cancer gene, he was so good and caught it all. Now Cancer Free, I pray I stay that way, my inside still are abnormal, eating foods, are all right, those the burning effect, still arises when passing.

I hope your fine, and the you had a reversal, my Dr. Carl E. Jackson South Point Hospital.

Darlene
Keep Faith

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