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Side affects of RC on bowel

Betsygirl
0 Recommendations

For those of you who have had an RC and maybe had it done a time ago, are you having any severe bowel distrubances and what have you done about it. I am need of knowing if daily problems is just part of my world now or is there a solution to help me deal with it. Diet suggestions, get a scan of colon to see if there is a problem, or whatever. It's been 4 years now for me and that part of my surgery has not gotten much better. Help! and thank you for any suggestions you have.

Explore topics in this discussion:

Cancer Surgery Cholestyramine Ulcerative colitis Metamucil Constipation Probiotics Pain Neobladder Diarrhea Stress

19 replies

HighlandGuy

I had my Radical cystoprostatectomy nearly 9 years ago. I had a neobladder inplant that removed about three feet of my bowel to form a new bladder.

I have, of course, less advance notice of bowel movements. I also have periodically had some problems with constipation, perhaps influenced if not caused by Lortabs for pain (I take 4 to 5 a day.) I take stool softeners to resolve that problem.

I've had no other problems.

HighlandGuy

tigger2009

Had mine done 15 months ago - main problem is difficulty with bowel movements on a daily basis and a fair amount of flatulence. I usually take a spoonful of Metamucil with a glass of milk before bed and bran flakes or shredded wheat in the morning. Always a little difficult to get the bowels moving but usually successful. Don't know what you mean by 'bowel disturbances' but this is my story. Maybe somebody has a better solution for good regularity for me and some more useful info' for you.

Betsygirl

Thanks for you replies. My problem have been daily diarrehia (sp?)...sometimes explosive and painful. I guess I need to see a gastrointestinal specialist to see if anything is wrong. I will see my doctor soon and get a solution. I work with kids at school all day and feel pretty vulnerable. I am taking probiotics, stopped dairy, watching my diet, stopped coffee and chocolate...or lessened my intake of those things and of course use the pink stuff often. Guess there's no way this surgery wouldn't change the bowel in some way. Thanks again.

balihigh

Ironically, my problems were BEFORE my surgery. Near the end of my BCG treatments, I developed daily diarrhea. For over 3 months I never had a normal movement. Of course, this scared me and I saw a gastro doctor who did a colonoscopy. I was found to have a mild form of ulcerative colitis. During these problems I found blood in my urine again which lead me to my RC last Sept. Because of the ulcerative colitis , my only diversion choice was illeal conduit which I am perfectly happy with.

After surgery, I had some constipation, took a few stool softeners, but within 6 weeks my bowel problems ended and I have been completely normal since. I sometimes wonder if my diarrhea was a side effect of the BCG or just the stress that I was under.

I hope that you are able to resolve your problems. I would definitely see a doctor and get a colonoscopy just for peace of mind. The problems you are experiencing are hard to live with and quality of life is important.
Hugs,
Nancy

Betsygirl

Thanks Nancy. Before my surgery, I had 13 BCG treatments but didn't have any bowel problem during that experience. I agree I probably need to see the gastrointestinal doctor and see if something else has developed due to the surgery. You are right, having this on a daily basis is wearing me down and I want to find a solution to it. Now I have developed hemroids as well which is making more discomfort. I will get a referral from my GP and go from there. Thanks for your support.

Betsygirl (Carol)

EricAndre

2 feet of my lower bowel were used to form a neobladder 4 years ago. I had severe constipation at first, So ever since I take 1 or 2 capsules of stool softener everyday to control the problems.
That took care of this problem.

EricAndre

Betsygirl

Thanks Eric,

I wish constipation was my problem (well not really, that's no fun either.) However, I think it would easer to get under control. I am trying everything, but I think I need to check out things with the gastro doc and see if something else is happening in the colon. It just doesn't stop and it seems to happening more often and sometimes suddenly when I at school with the kids. I am trying all kinds of bulking foods and also over the counter stuff, but nothing seems to keep it away for long. I have been checked out for a "bug" of some kind, but no evidence of that either. I am hanging in there and will get help. Thank you for your help.

Alwaysawarrior

Betsygirl some links and my routine hope this helps you out some or gives you some ideas to work with and keep in my mind my wife is a nurse. GL, Joe

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/colace.html 3 per day

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/senna.htm 4 per day

Now if I bump into trouble with these 2 then this is order in steps I take for relief.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/milk-of-magnesia.html if no BM in 48 hrs I take this


http://www.drugs.com/mtm/magnesium-citrate.html if all else fails I drink a 7oz bottle of this


http://www.drugstore.com/qxp15093_333181_sespider/fleet/enema_ready_to_use_ saline_laxative.htm


I have turned to this at times but as a last resort as you can start depending on this and that is not good.

mred009

hi betsygirl a matter of fact i just got off the phone with my doctor 5 min ago with the same problem you are speaking about i had my r/c december 15 th with a neobldder build for the last week every time i have voided i have a bowel movement even in between they told me this will happen just make sure you take a stool softener they said it is to be expected and will happen from time to time i know one thing my butt gets sore from it however ill take this knowing my doctor got the cancer out down there its a not to small of a sacrifice for me good luck ed

Alwaysawarrior

Also I forgot I drink a 8oz glass of prune juice everyday and this seems to help on top of the stool softners. Joe

letsbeatit

I had mild IBS before my RC. My type was diarrhea alternating with constipation. As a result I had a very irritable Indiana pouch that would not only leak but actually squirt because there were so many spasms going on. None of the meds worked. I did some research for that and ended up trying probiotics. It took trying 3 different ones to find one that works. It has also done wonders for my gastroinestinal system. Once a day, no pain, no strain. I've never been regular before in my life. I don't know if it will work for you but I take Multidophilus Powder by Solaray once a day. It has to be refrigerated. (I also take FOS powder once a day by Source Naturlals which is supposed to provide "food" for the friendly flora -good bacteria. I'm not sure if it helps but since everything is working well I keep taking it.) I've had a lot of UTI's and it also helps keep the good bacteria going that is usually killed by antibiotics. Good luck! Kathy

Betsygirl

Thank you for all your suggestions. I will print them off and read them carefully. This site is so amazing as everyone offers what they can to help each other. I love it!!

Betsygirl

I am realizing that all of you are helping me with constipation problems. It's not the problem, its watery diarreha at least once or twice before I head off to work. It sometimes returns during the day. So I am dealing with not being able to stop it. I guess what I want to find out is if I have to keep taking anti-diarreha stuff forever, thus the need to find out why it is continuing after 4 years. I am still grateful for all your help.

Betsygirl

Thanks for hanging in here with me. I am pretty miserable and it seems the situation is getting worse the longer I go on with recovery. I know there is an answer just have to keep working on it. Thanks Joe

mmc

Betsy,

Keep a food diary if you can and try to draw a correlation between foods/liquids and the problem. I've had bowel problems since my RC in October and it has not been the constipation problem either. I have a lot more bowel movements a day and they tend to be loose. The large intestine is usually the area where the "firmness" happens. Stool is supposed to be quite watery in the small intestine as that it where nutrients are being absorbed.

My belief is that I am going more because I now sit down to drain my neobladder and the pushing action of the pelvic floor muscle causes me to have more bowel movements when it used to be one a day come rain or shine.

I do notice that latte's seem to make diarreah for me so I'm thinking it's the dairy. Cheese doesn't seem to be a problem though.

Experiment with you diet a bit if you can and see if it brings any changes.

Best of Luck,
Mike

Betsygirl

Thanks Mike...I am trying to do this and eliminate stuff that causes problems. Thanks for your suggestions and hope you are doing well.

fran1

Hi Betsy
Have you got any news about your diarrhea problem? My husband is currently still having various tests to establish the cause of his...
All the best,
fran

2Sincerely

Betsygirl, I too had watery (and yes, explosive at times) diarrhea for some time after my surgery in June. My uro put me on Cholestyramine which did the trick within 24 hours! In fact, it almost worked too well as I had to turn to the stool softeners that had been sitting and gathering dust. At any rate, no more diarrhea!

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