Hello, my husband just had his ileostomy takedown surgery so his j pouch could start working in December. Since the surgery he has freaking cramping that comes about every 5 minutes. He was just released from the hospital because of an obstruction and the doctors told us the cramping is normal. Is this true? He is just so uncomfortable all the time. Is there anything he can do to help it? And if it is normal how long should he expect the cramping to last?
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Hi mndeti,
I also had cramping after my takedown surgery - it was much worse for the first couple weeks (I would have to do deep breathing or some moaning through it!)and has gotten better though not disappeared. For me it's definitely associated with gas passing through, so it's better when my diet is better. My dr. said it's likely due to scarring or narrowing of the bowel where it was reattached. Not sure if it's the same as what your husband is experiencing, but it seems most symptoms improve slowly with time.
I also had cramping after my takedown surgery - it was much worse for the first couple weeks (I would have to do deep breathing or some moaning through it!)and has gotten better though not disappeared. For me it's definitely associated with gas passing through, so it's better when my diet is better. My dr. said it's likely due to scarring or narrowing of the bowel where it was reattached. Not sure if it's the same as what your husband is experiencing, but it seems most symptoms improve slowly with time.
Where is the cramping? For me, if I remember correctly, the cramping/sharp pains were between my anus and my tailbone.
Try and go back to simple foods and water to help ease the cramping for a day. Hot baths worked for me as well to ease the cramping. (by simple foods, I mean things you know don't cause problems. In my case, that is fruit, salads, etc. . .those things just fly through me and don't make well-formed stools.)
And since I live in Colorado, I have medical marijuana and that helps me immensely with cramping, pain, etc. I'm not pushing, just letting you know what works for me.
Try and go back to simple foods and water to help ease the cramping for a day. Hot baths worked for me as well to ease the cramping. (by simple foods, I mean things you know don't cause problems. In my case, that is fruit, salads, etc. . .those things just fly through me and don't make well-formed stools.)
And since I live in Colorado, I have medical marijuana and that helps me immensely with cramping, pain, etc. I'm not pushing, just letting you know what works for me.