I would get it checked to be safe...does sound like coming off of narcotics but you never know, dont be like me and put it off for 6 months thinking its normal to only find out that your original GI dcotor never checked for Chrons on your colonoscopy to find out from a new GI doctor to tell you he lied and never went far enough in to check.

Well I wouldn't automatically jump to Crohns right off the bat. I had ileus post opt and it can take a while for the bowel to start functioning normally after that. The blood may be due to irritation or just post surgical course, especially if you are sore down below. It could also be a bleeding staple line, especially if you had a one step.

However, I do agree that you do need to mention your symptoms to your doctor. While a low-grade fever is not uncommon within a few days of surgery, depending how far out you may be, it might also suggest a potential infection or abscess and that would certainly need to be investigated immediately.

99.2 isn't really considered a fever, and could easily be from dehydration alone. An ileus that is caused by too much opiates will take a while to fully resolve, especially since you have to wean off slowly to prevent withdrawal symptoms. If you start with the shakes, panic, sweats, abdominal pain, etc., there are medications to help prevent these withdrawal symptoms, so don't think you won't be able to get off the oxy. But, it still may not be easy. Usually it is better to put up with some manageable pain than to try to be pain free (not implying that is what you were doing).

When the bowel gets distended from an ileus, it gets irritated, so some bleeding is not too surprising. But, it should be gradually lessening. If bleeding picks up, then you definitely need to contact your doctor.

This does not sound at all like Crohn's to me, so try not to worry prematurely. Sounds more like a bumpy post op recovery. Some of us get complications, some do not.

Jan

P.S. I am deleting the duplicate post in the Pouchitis Forum, as we are not supposed to post the same thing in more than one forum.

Ah, thank you so much! From what you guys are saying, it seems like a combination of ileus and withdrawal. Jan, those are totally the withdrawal symptoms I had last night, it was scary. I've been on Dilaudid and then Oxycontin for 2 months. I had terrible pain in the muscles surrounding my stoma after my 1st step surgery so it sounds like I shouldn't be too surprised if my 2nd post-op is bumpy too. The doc agreed today.

I'm trying to ween off my pain meds as quickly as possible for my intestines to function more normally. What meds have you guys been given to address withdrawal symptoms?

Clonidine is the most prescribed medication for withdrawal symptoms. But, you can take over the counter pain medications (be careful of your Tylenol doses), Imodium, and antihistamines.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medline...y/article/000949.htm

But, the main thing is to taper slowly. You are less likely to feel the need to go back on the oxycodone if you do it gradually.

Jan

Why be careful of Immodium and antihistamines? Can either cause blood in stool and nausea? THANKS

To help clarify, re-arrange her list so the parenthesis is at the end:

quote:

But, you can take Imodium, antihistamines, and over the counter pain medications (be careful of your Tylenol doses).

Correct. It was just be careful with Tylenol doses, to avoid liver damage.

Jan

I see---thanks for clarifying....I have a lot of blood in stool, so I am going to make another 5 hr trek to my surgeon....wish me luck

I so agree with the tylenol! why do they have to put it in everything? If I take cold medicine, and a tylenol #3, I am close to the limit for the day....dumb