Quick question:

Battled UC for 20 years, had my large intestine removed on 3/29/07. Had a stoma and bag for 90 days, reversal on 6/26/07. Out of the hospital in four days.

Now that I am home, I am having more pain in my stomach. I believe it is in the area of the stoma closure and most likely my small intestine moving around during digestion. Pain comes for about 10 seconds and then disappears. Throughout the day and night. On a scale of 1 to 10, it's a 10 when it hits.

I'm assuming this is normal but does anyone have any advice - when will it cease, etc.

Much appreciated.

My husband just came home yesterday after 4 days in the hospital as well, and is having the SAME problem you are. He had it the entire time in the hospital, but they kept saying it was normal. Last night he was up every 30-45 minutes with horrible cramps, leaking, and going to the bathroom. He's feeling very discouraged, as he did not anticipate that this would be so hard. I'm looking for something encouraging to tell him. He was not given any instructions for food at discharge, although we assumed low fiber. Would you believe that when I went to the market to get him some med.s etc, he cooked himself a hotdog! That could explain the frequency--but cramping is same as when in hospital.

Thank you!

I had a lot of stoma pain after TD, but it wasn't 10 on a 1 to 10 scale (but then my step 1 was such agony I think my pain threshold has gone off the charts). I had a lot of aches and stabbing pains around the stoma. I think it's normal. It certainly calmed down for me, and since I could see nothing was infected and the wound healed visibly on a day to day basis, I just revelled in my new bagless existence. As for food, I'd say eat soft, squidgy stuff for a while and give your guts a break. Plenty of liquids, wholesome soups, mashed potato, macaroni, fish, stuff like that.

My stoma was closed with staples and I experienced a lot of pain and watery discharge because I was moving a lot.

I would be careful about lifting and doing things not to pull the skin.

It's been 6 months and I still get a little twinge here and there around the area but nothing terrible. I also get some phantom leak feelings. I think the nerves just take time to heal.

Dear Kar,

Very soon I am going to have closer of my stoma. I want to be bit careful this time. As this time is my 5th operation.

For 100% suceess, I need your guidence.
What you mean by(could you explain):
"You must be the change you wish to see in this world." -Gandhi

Life is beautiful........ap_john

Isn't that a beautiful sentiment? It means if you want peace you must act in a peaceful way. If you want people to show kindness toward one another you must be kind. It's not unlike the golden rule - do onto others as you would have them do unto you. If we all want to see a world without strife we must all live a life without strife. Do by example. (I hope I got that right Kar. And I hope I'm not completely screwing up your explaination. I've just always really admired your quote from Gandhi!)

kathy

It's also tied in with the Law of Attraction, which again is closely linked to the idea behind meditation and prayer, actually: you think positive thoughts, wish for good things and you attract them. So if you see things in the world or in your life you wish were different, you step up and make it happen / become the change. Eg: you wish people could be more tolerant. So you don't get irritated about the neighbours' dog that barks at you from their garden every time you walk up to your own door; you get to know the dog so its bark is a welcome greeting, not a nuisance. (Huh, didn't say it was easy! And of course it opens up a huge discussion as to why we all ended up sick - who asked for this? But it's a great philosophy I think. And a great unifier - all major religions have the same idea about envisaging good things happening and asking for positive changes in the world.)

Turns out that I had an inordinate amount of gas trapped inside of me. That was causing all of the discomfort.

I had to go to ER after throwing up three separate times in 24 hours. The pain pills and some bad food choices knocked me down. Once that cleared, I was able to pass gas and am now fine.

If your husband is suffering, try mylanta or maylox.

Hi,
Glad you're feeling better now!