Ileostomy reversal after rectal cancer op

Hi I wondered if anyone can give my husband some advice. Since his reversal in November my husband has been having qute a few problems. Just after the op he was in terrible pain but that appears to have got much better. His biggest problem is having to go to the loo at least 6-7 times straight after eating anything. We have tried leaving out or adding various food but nothin seems to work. The doctor precribed loperamide but he is now taking maximum dose and still nothing changes. Does anyone know of a different drug. The doctor suggested adding codeine but we have been advised by nurses that this could cause more problems. My husband is now virtually housebound unless he starves himself and has nothing to eat or even drink much after getting up until he gets back to the house. We would be grateful for any suggestions.

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  • Hi, I have had the reversal, last July, been a challenge to say the least, 

    am now using an iry irrigation system, it’s changed my life, use in the morning and have no thoughts of the bathroom all day and night, it’s made by Braun, none invasive, I feel like my old self before all this cancer started 18 months ago, .

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    Hello Turner, Thanks for the response to post. Good you resolved the Ileostomy reversal problem. Almost at my wits end now with problems after reversal and wish I had never had the operation in the first place at times. Although being informed I would not see next Christmas last year, makes you focus. I do not want to appear ungrateful for what has been achieved and I`m sure many that are suffering wish they had had the chance of stopping the Cancer or the opportunity. I am living on Loperamide and taking anything up to 15 or 18 a day some days. Having to dah to the loo 20 or 30 times in a day. Also confined to the house, for several days at a time. Then have the reverse situation when I am in severe pain, due to constipation and unable to get the balance the right.

    Having had severe Diarrhoea, for almost 4 months now. This in turn has caused incontinence at times and requiring disposable underwear, particularly at nights. As well as hemorrhoids and extremely painful also.

    I have seen my consultant and was informed this may last for some time, sadly but unavoidable.

    Maybe will enquire about the irrigation idea.

    Once again, thank you for your response

    Regards Virgil

  • I had all the same problems, it was miserable, one day I started running to the loo at 3 pm. Until 2 am, 

    have worn padded pants since the reversal,  I did at one time wish I’d kept the stoma, it was so much simpler,

    however since using the Braun iry,  I honestly feel normal, like my old self, I use in the morning, and forget it till next day,  I cannot believe the difference it’s made ,

    i hope you find things get easier, good luck. 

  • Hi Turner 

    Thanks for  the  reply  . I'm having  not good up most of  the  night and all I went through  has effected my kidneys  . I also picked up  infections  along the  way and ended back in hospital  . They have suguested returning to  the  stoma but I have  come this far I would like  to  try everything before this would happen . Have you ever done pelvic floor exercises  .. I really appreciate all your adviced . 

    Regards Cormac 

  • Hi cormac,,  so sorry your having such a hard time,  

    i too had kidney problems was very bad at one point ,  I see specialist every few months now, it’s up to 40% and stable. For now,  looking back I realise how ill I felt up to th e stone reversal, I assumed it was normal,! 

    The things that have changed my situation are the iry irrigation system from Braun, I get it on the nhs, 

    fibregel every day, ( makes huge difference to the diarrhoea, ) and of course Imodium, 

    im sure you know most of this, my reversal was last July, I haveonly  just felt normal, when I look back I realise that it was improving over the months,  but for sure the irrigation has made the biggest difference, 

    i was also advised by docs to take multi minerals and vitamins, which helped a lot, 

    hope you find this encouraging,, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Best regards.

  • Hi Turner 

    Thanks  and for positive advice .. I picked up CDIF 

    I was isolated  in hospital  for a month  bleeding  a lot .

    I'm home now and  have  problems with  constatpation 

    And hard stools make me bleed . It one way or the other  other . The have  mentioned  returning the  stoma bag  but at present  I'm not strong for another operation  as  what I eat sceem  to run out of me ..

    I'm trying  to  staying positive  but it's not easy I miss getting  out my energy  levels  take a knocking on toilet  travels .

    Regards Cormac 

  • I know it’s miserable,  I used to get icy cold after the loo , 

    do try fibregel and irrigation, ask your specialist nurse that’s how I got mine, 

    i do wish you well.

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