Colon removal operation
By edina9999
@edina9999 (1)
United States
August 24, 2006 1:47am CST
Hi
I am a 21 year old college student, who is facing possible colon removal. I have IBS, gastritis, deudeantis, h phylori (I think it is spelled this way; it is a really bad bacteria in your stomach), chronic constipation, chronic abdominal pain, practically paralyzed colon... Recently, I had an appointment with colorectal surgeon (as recommended by my main GI doctor). The surgeon said that most likely I will have to have my colon removed, as well as do extensive physical therapy because apparently my brain is not registering the signals that my pelvic floor sends (most of the time I don't even feel the need to go to the bathroom for 10 to 14 days; and then when I have to go, I am in excruciating pain both before and after). The surgeon is still waiting on some more test results to give me his final opinion. I am very scared and confused about all of this. I do not know what exactly comes after having your colon removed. He said that I will probably have to go to the bathroom two to three times a day? However, I keep reading that people go 10 or more times after, and that sometimes they have some sort of bag attached to them. Is this true? Could someone please describe to me what would happen during and after the operation? What are some of bad things about the operation? In few years, I want to get married and have children. Will this in any shape or form affect my reproductive system? ? Since my illness worsened in April ’06 (I have had constipation and stomach pain since the age of 12; it has never been this bad though), I have only had my period once. I have had a cyst on my ovary once before, and I have always suffered from really bad menstrual cramps (dymenerreha). My GI and gynecologist said that happened because all of the GI problems (I guess because of all of these problems, my hormone level changed drastically or something like that). My biggest dream has always been to have a husband and children. Even though I am very career oriented, I think that I can do both things at the same time.
Currently, I am taking Miralex (17 grams twice a day), zelnorm (twice a day), protonix (twice a day), amoxcicilin (1 gram, twice a day), and tylenol for pain (because I am allergic to most pain medicines). I was also taking another antibiotic; but I had some serious side effects, so my GI said to stop using them immediately. Some of my symptoms are: excruciating abdominal pain most of the time, really bad constipation, nausea, bloating, torturous cramps, headache... My whole life has been turned upside down because of this. I just want to be a "normal" college student, being able to earn my degree on time (and having good grades like I always do). However, this has affected both my professional and personal life. Today, the pain was so horrible that I hardly made it through the whole day at work. After work, I just broke down and cried because I was in so much pain; I could not button up my pants or stand straight from all the bloating and cramping. This is destroying my life. I don't know what to do. Please, help me :-( :-(
4 responses
@dawnskaggs (122)
• United States
11 May 07
Hello I am glad that I found your post. I am 28YO mother of two young girls and had my colon removed in 2005. I would go to the bathroom once a month and was misrible. I received a total colectomy and have had a few complicatons since. I have been hospitalized three times. I would love to talk to you about his so please message me and we can talk.
@eskimolax78 (85)
• United States
26 Aug 06
Dude i feel really bad but next time eat more spinach. It's green and GOOD FOR YOUR COLON!
@Sunset50 (1397)
• United States
26 Aug 06
My prayers are with you. My mother had a piece of colon removed and wore the colostamy bag. After healing her doctor said they could remove it, it was up to her. I am not very medical inclined but I really don't see how it could affect having children. oh, mom was in her late 70s, diabetic and decided to not worry about removal, it was a little inconvenient but she was able to take care of it herself.


