10 Days Post Loop-Ileostomy Cramps/Contractions

I don't remember having abdominal cramping like that. I *would* have these sort of spasmy things happen right before my pouch would discharge mucus (while I had my loop ileostomy). It would happen, and there was nothing I could do, that mucus would just blob out. It eventually slowed to nearly nothing and almost quit doing that... That was partly how my CRS decided it was time for my takedown. It was 4 months after my J pouch construction. I do remember feeling the stoma move all the time, on the outside and near the exit, from the peristalsis, but nothing that was painful.

Ok, thanks for the input. I know he's still early in his recovery ... it's just so hard to know what's normal or to be expected. We'll keep an eye on it and check with his surgeon if they don't start letting up.

Thanks again!

Nothing is "normal" about any of this but the surgeon will probably say it's normal. If he gets too concerned have him call the surgeon. I don't think some of them prepare us enough for the recovery phase.

Thanks for the replys... pain and cramping got too severe last night. He's at our local hospital for pain managenent- fluids and antibiotics... white blood count is high. Unfortunately we're 10 hours from Mayo where his surgery was done. We'll have all results sent to them and go from there. Hopefully the local treatment will get him back on his feet quick...

Sounds like you two made the right call. I was in the hospital 16 days after my first operation as I kept getting dehydrated. Hopefully your local hospital can take care of keeping him hydrated and administering antibiotics for the infection. Did they find out where the infection is at yet? 10 hours is a long ride away. Please let us know how he's doing.

Well.... We weren't overly confident at our local hospital, they seemed pretty unfamiliar with the whole deal. We decided to have him discharged and drove to U of M in Ann Arbor (2 different nurses quietly said they'd do the same). The drs here have been in touch with his surgeon. To make a long story short, it looks like he has swelling in part of the lower section between the stoma and rectum, causing a backup. They're giving him antibiotics, fluids and drained his stomach with the ng tube (3rd time since operation) :-( and just time. His white count is down to 17 now. He's starting to feel better... hopefully he's on the down side of this ordeal. He's ready to get back to his life, as you can all imagine. :-/
Thanks so much!

Sounds like he's on the road back and also like it was painful. I hope all he needs it to rest everything and let the antibiotics work. They will probably look into everything more tomorrow. I wonder what caused this to happen?

I bet you are tired. Driving while worrying about him for 10 hours, I'd be on my last nerve. I hope you can get some rest now.

Thanks for posting and please give us updates when you can.

I had severe gas and cramping in the hospital I still get it. I had c.diff though. Easy to pick up in hospitals. If your white blood cell is up make sure they test for that.