Hello everyone,
First of all I want to say this site has been a godsend during all these changes that are happening in my life. Quick background: I was diagnosed with proctitis in 2007 while in high school; didn't take it seriously and only took mesalamine for a few months before resuming my life. My life really changed May 2011 when things got bad. My hemoglobin dropped below 5 and I was diagnosed with pancolitis. After a year of trying combinations of mesalamines, prednisone, 6mp, and remicade, I gave up and opted for a J-pouch. Just had to get through my final year of college (hope that didn't make things even worse!!) So finally this summer, I started the journey. Had the subtotal colectomy in May and the J-pouch construction with proctolectomy just two weeks back. Step three hopefully in October. Things after Step 1 were great. I felt better than I had in over a year. Was on my feet again in 2 weeks and back on the tennis court in 4 weeks. Step 2 is a different case. With the loop ileostomy, I've had numerous spills (had none with the end ileostomy). But that's all cool. My real concern is this:
Since coming home from surgery, I've had some really weird changes. My weight when I left the hospital to this point (about 12 days) has dropped 17 pounds (I'm a male btw). My back has been hurting SO bad. When I'm sitting around, it's fine. However, if I move around or stand a while to take a shower/change the back, it gets bad. We initially thought it was a UTI (I had some of the other symptoms, so my doc put me on antibiotics and all that cleared up, except for the back pain). Further, the skin on my right quadricep lacks some feel to it. I can move it fine and when I slap it, I feel it all fine. But a gentle touch goes unnoticed. I'm getting a CT scan done tomorrow to see what's cooking. Has anyone felt these symptoms right after surgery? I wasn't worried at first but am starting to consider nerve damage and freaking out a bit.
Again thanks to everyone. I love this site.
First of all I want to say this site has been a godsend during all these changes that are happening in my life. Quick background: I was diagnosed with proctitis in 2007 while in high school; didn't take it seriously and only took mesalamine for a few months before resuming my life. My life really changed May 2011 when things got bad. My hemoglobin dropped below 5 and I was diagnosed with pancolitis. After a year of trying combinations of mesalamines, prednisone, 6mp, and remicade, I gave up and opted for a J-pouch. Just had to get through my final year of college (hope that didn't make things even worse!!) So finally this summer, I started the journey. Had the subtotal colectomy in May and the J-pouch construction with proctolectomy just two weeks back. Step three hopefully in October. Things after Step 1 were great. I felt better than I had in over a year. Was on my feet again in 2 weeks and back on the tennis court in 4 weeks. Step 2 is a different case. With the loop ileostomy, I've had numerous spills (had none with the end ileostomy). But that's all cool. My real concern is this:
Since coming home from surgery, I've had some really weird changes. My weight when I left the hospital to this point (about 12 days) has dropped 17 pounds (I'm a male btw). My back has been hurting SO bad. When I'm sitting around, it's fine. However, if I move around or stand a while to take a shower/change the back, it gets bad. We initially thought it was a UTI (I had some of the other symptoms, so my doc put me on antibiotics and all that cleared up, except for the back pain). Further, the skin on my right quadricep lacks some feel to it. I can move it fine and when I slap it, I feel it all fine. But a gentle touch goes unnoticed. I'm getting a CT scan done tomorrow to see what's cooking. Has anyone felt these symptoms right after surgery? I wasn't worried at first but am starting to consider nerve damage and freaking out a bit.
Again thanks to everyone. I love this site.
