Hysterectomy and bowel problems:are they connected?

WOW I am shocked at all the issues I am reading that tend to seem like my situation I had a abdominal hysterectomy on the 12 of Dec, 2011. I was in the hospital for 5 days due to the fact I had fluid over load to my heart and lungs. After clearing that situation up I was discharged I went home and began having severe stomach pains such as gas, but nothing helped I actually felt like my gallbladder which I had removed years previously had grown back. I was in so much pain I had my husband rush me back to ER at 4am. I was admitted with low grade temp and elevated bp along with CT showing I had an elarged Colon................. I have never had stomach issues or bowel issues prior to surgery. I spent until the 22nd in the hospital and was release because it was so close to Christmas I begged to go home. I have lost 20 lbs and am forcing myself to eat. When I do eat, i get those sharp pains and need to use restroom however I dont have solid BMs its more like small ribbon. Why has all this changed. URGHHHH I am allergic to pain meds so I am doing this med free which is a chore in and of itself but to add this. Any suggestions or comments. THanks, Robin

 

This is the best posting I have come across yet and the only one to reply to. Iam 45
I went on on the 18th jan 2012 and was out the next day.
I signed for postria repair, exteria repair, hysterectomy which included the bladder lifted and presumably the pelvic floor. They left the ovaries and tubes in.
When i awoke the surgeon told me he didnt repair the posteria wall!! I was shocked as i made it clear from the start and that was the reason i went to be checked in the first place, my wall is shot basically and falls into the vagina area, it has been this way for years.
I do believe it was this thta caused the prolapse that I was unaware of.
I wasnt incontenant or anything.
Since being at home i was ok for the first few days and thought all was ok apart from the fact I knew they were wrong not repairing the bowel wall.
By sat i went back to hos to show them my bowel! It was full and falling into the vaginal passage and almost exiting there.. I was not in too much pain but glad to get home to relieve it. They were not very reassuring as I told them he should have repaired it like we agreed.
The surgeon did say he thought it didnt need it and didnt want to make me too tight!!!
Since then I have been in agony and the same I can feel the wind taking its journey and at certain areas it hurts. I also have a high pain threshhold. I have been taking all what i should to make sure i go and the stools will be soft, I have been hot, cold dizzy.
When finaaly something comes out and thats after excrutiating pain it is either runny or the small, thin very soft stools, nothing in comparison to what i have eaten. i am eating well.
iam scrared what it will be like if the rest of it finally follows through, I think I will faint if it hurts that much with so little coming out and soft..
I take my phone with me just in case. I have an appointment soon which i had to ask for but not till feb 17th. I do have another appointment with a lady on the 14th that helps with exercising that area which i prev had before the op, she may know something.
It is like there is a snag or an area that has been made smaller and when stools pass through it is only the very soft that get passed.
I did feel better when i read wind and passing of stools is painfull and normal but not when so little is coming out, no way that is right. Its not like iam running the marathon to burn up what i am eating

Sorry my typing and spelling but I am in pain at intervals and just want to get it posted.
The bowel wall is twice as bad than before i ment to add and I will say that iam sort of glad i didnt have the posteria repair, just think how painfull that would be adding to this already!

I had a partial hysterectomy dec 2001, right after i turned 21 yrs old and after my first child, due to endometriosis and a doctor leaving after birth in me. But eventually had to go back several times for other surgeries having my tubes and ovaries removed. I been scared this whole time that there is scar tissue wrapped around my colon keeping me from going to the bathroom! I went to the hospital yesterday and they done an Xray and told me that my bowels are FULL! I am going to tAake Milk of Magnesium today hoping for some relief!!, Wish me luck!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1374364/pdf/gut00559-0114.pdf

Check this out?????

I to had a hysterectomy when i was 27, now 6 years later i am also having the same problem. If you have any info. on this contact me at _[removed]_. thank you

I had a full abdominal hysterectomy Oct 2010 (uterus and ovaries taken out) and since then have had bowel problems - although opposite to most of the posts I don't suffer constipation, I am completely the opposite and when that feeling to go comes over me that's it have to go(not always making it).  Also now have bladder problems and can't hold on, I have had tests for the bladder problem and it seems my bladder contracts on its own and am on medication (pelvic floor exercises aren't any good for this).  Yesterday underwent a flexible sigmoidoscopy and had biopsies taken so awaiting those results.  Wow that was painful and was told by the nurses in attendance that often these procedures are worse because the bowel replaces itself into the cavaity left byb the uterus and my bowel was in constant spasm making it harder for the camera to be moved about.  I am convinced my problems have arisen from the hysterectomy but no clinician will admit to this.  My friend had a hysterectomy a few years before me and now has diviculitis since her operation.  When are these people going to put their hands up and admit maybe it's something to do with them.

It as been so calming reading these posts - When you are experiencing these things, you often think your alone and that the symptoms are major or even life threatening.  I had a radical hysterectomy in Nov 2011 for Ovarian Cancer - I have had lower back pain and stomach pains on and off since. The pain can be quite painful and often I can vomit for some time after.  I have been given indigestion tablets from my GP which do help but I have to constantly watch what I eat now, small & often and very plain seem to be the best for me.  I read a post earlier that suggested she felt her symptoms were in a pattern rather like periods - this instantly struck a cord as I had said to OH on many occasions that I felt these pains and sickness was a replacement to having periods.  I find that after an hysterectomy it is difficult to know why you are getting other symptoms, are they related to the hysterectomy, are they related to the menopause, or in my case are they related to the Ovarian Cancer. There is obviously something related that appears to be going on, as most of us appear to be experiencing something very similar. All my best to everyone x

I am 57 and recovering. I'm having some bowel issues. I'm only in my 1 month recovery period. Cramping, extreme gas/bloating with accompaning pain., and a horrible pulling sensation in my right side and left side. Feels like some of my organs has been sewn together inside my stomach and pulling at each other, which causes moderate discomfot when I lay on my sides.

Like Ms Marie, I too have horrible pulling sensations in my lower left and right sides, which causes discomfort when moving or lying on my sides, infact I can't even lye on my right side for now.  I had a total hysterectomy 6 weeks ago (end of May), and although the previous intense pain I was in has gone, I have bowel and bladder troubles. It almost feels like every time I try to eat, my bowels start pulling on my sides!! My waterworks are also troubling me, and I had treatment for a UTI after my surgery which caused me endless pain and I still feel some pain when my bladder starts filling.  I'm never really hungry, and I have lost at present 10lbs due to my lack of appetite. I was at my doctor yesterday, and mentioned it.. but his reply was "it'll take up to 12 weeks for everything to right itself!!" I don't need painkillers as such, and it's great to be free of the horrendous pain I was in previously, but i'll give it another 6 weeks (taking me up to the 12 weeks!) and then i'll complain if I'm still having problems.  I think my doctor just likes to be rid of me, other than that I have a follow up Gynae appointment in September and if i'm still having troubles then, i'll mention it to the Gynae doc. 

I don't feel quite alone anymore! I had adenomyosis & had to have a hysterectomy 2 years ago. I'm now 39, I've been back in hospital to have my left ovary removed as the 18 months following the hyst. Were agony, it was discovered my overt was trapped in the bowel. Many thanks surgeons. My bowels now bulge out down below, I am not allowed to run anymore and I'm in constant pain & bloat a lot. I get awful monthly pains too. I doubt anyone will do anything to help.

Hi all < i had a full hysterectomy and 10 inches of bowel removed a year ago . i suffer so badly with my bowels but i agree with the lady who posted above buy colon cleanse , i take it every day and it helps . also i have had to change the way i eat , little an often , and very very healthy . you can help yourself although it does get you down . i just remember the pain i was in before my hysterectomy and i was told after bowel op too i may not be pain free ! drinking double your usual amount of water def helps . xx

I would say you are too negative towards doctors. I am doctor's wife and I am going through the same pain as everyone here. I was referred to the best GI and OBGY and they do give me the best care. However, due to the limited studies done in the area, there is no cure to my knowledge.

My hysterectomy was done in Sept 2011. The worst pain in my right side of ab hit me in May 2012--I could not drive, stand on my right foot or bend.
My pain tolerance has been very high--I did not take pain pills for gall-bladder removal or 2nd after the hysterectomy. I made a trip to ER and MRI. Diagnosis was "normal". I can even feel something was swelling in my right side under the pelvic. Next week, I will have a colonscopy. I have been looking for credible medical research reports on hysterectomy complications. However, not able to find anything valuable on this subject.
I was attempted to start a research project on my own. If I can convince a MD to work with me.  ***this post is edited by moderator *** *** private e-mails not allowed*** Please read our Terms of Use

It's 11 years after my hystie I continue to have bowel problems.  I spend about a half hour to an hour on the commode every night; my feet fall asleep.  I've actually trained my body to do this because I can't spend that much time in the bathroom at work.  Takes that long to determine if I'm 'done.'  Feels like constipation but the problem is (I think) a paralyzed colon from nerve damage from my hystie.

 

Now...a doctor got me into this mess and I'm damned if I'll go to another one to make it worse.  I don't trust them.  I've simply learned to deal.