5 weeks post ileostomy reversal
hi everyone.
before i had my ileostomy reversal my surgeon said the recovery would be a lot easier than the ileostomy. that has not been my experience at all so looking for some other perspectives.
i am now five weeks post op. after week 2 my doctor said i could “eat normally” and since i tried a couple additions (avocado or miralax for fiber minimally and separately) for a few days, i started to get really sick: seemingly randomly, a couple hours after eating i get horrible cramping in my lower left abdomen, sit on and off the toilet for hours, and vomit.
now five weeks post op, i still randomly have these episodes no matter how soft and non-fibrous my meals are. we thought it was a partial blockage so i did clear liquids for a day, was fine for a few days, then episodes of excruciating pain recurred. it feels like my digestive system is spasming for hours and wants to fully evacuate whatever is in my system.
i had a ct scan and everything was fine. i’m eating very minimally and all soft and low fiber, passing gas, having solid soft stools, but these episodes still keep happening. i had two yesterday. the surgeon is a bit at a loss. we had an ultrasound today—i think just to appease me. i don’t think hospitalization would help beyond temporary relief with some iv meds.
i cannot keep having these episodes though. besides the fact that i have to go back to work soon, the episodes are that painful and i’ve developed quite a high pain tolerance throughout my treatment. i’m also weak from not eating enough.
anyone have a similar experience, any insight about what this could be, what i can do to relieve it or knowledge that it may pass?
another note is my doctor is world class at colorectal cancer surgeries and i’m at apparently the best hospital in the state. i have had a second opinion and they said the ct shows everything is fine—but this cannot possibly be my new reality.