Post-Ileostomy Reversal: Severe Diarrhea, Pain, and Vomiting Issues

I had my ileostomy reversed on Feb 7, 2024. Since then, I have had massive diarrhea along with two episodes of severe pain and vomiting. The first time it happened, I ended up being admitted to the hospital. My CT showed dilated loops of small bowel but no obstruction. They gave me laxatives, and after I had incontinence with diarrhea, I felt much better. Yesterday, the same thing happened. I ended up taking seven times the amount of pain meds I'm supposed to take. Took Valium. And took laxatives. Threw up five times. Finally fell asleep and again had massive diarrhea while I slept. At one point last night, the stool looked almost normal, which was a good thing. The bad thing was it was all over me and the bed. My doctor is aware and has no idea what's going on. Does anyone have any idea? I am so depressed and frustrated. And I'm supposed to go back to bed soon! I had removal of my ascending colon and transverse colon along with 18 inches of my small intestine six months ago due to a blood clot and septic shock.

Hi, sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. What type of ileostomy reversal do you have? Have they done a stool sample to check for an infection? Is the Valium to help you relax or for pain? Not sure how you are taking the Valium... it can be used as a suppository for pelvic floor muscles. Valium will relax muscles... it may not be helping the incontinence.

Hi Magz,

The order of things is important. If you had vomiting after the severe pain, that probably means you were obstructed (severely). If you vomited before the severe pain, it could be a whole host of other things. When you say 'dilated loops,' do you mean constricted loops or truly dilated (enlarged or widened)? Just want to be sure we're speaking the same language. An obstruction would be just ahead of the widened loops, so they need to determine if the widening is due to the contents inside the bowel, or if the bowel wall is thickening, causing the dilation. Obstructions tend to clear when you sleep, as the bowels relax a bit.

Since you're reconnected, I'd say a colonoscopy is in your future. With 2/3 of your colon gone and probably no terminal ileum or ileocecal valve, the scope should reach well into your remaining small bowel and show exactly what's going on. If your doctor doesn't know that... you need to find a new doc... and pronto! As for the CT scan, the scan itself is only as good as the radiologist who reads it. And I've met some pretty bad radiologists over the years. Did your doc recommend an MRI after the CT? Many feel an MRI (MRE specifically) is a better imaging method for finding bowel obstructions than a CT scan. But again, the radiologist is the key. If I were you, I'd be getting a second opinion no matter what your doc says... but that's just me.

As for your bed... I guess you have a couple of choices. Sleep in the bathtub... or duct tape a garbage bag to your ass. Neither are very good solutions. I see you live in Florida... so maybe you can sleep outside on a rope hammock... over a drain pan. Ok, just kidding, but I'm not sure how you get around the accident situation. Hopefully, others will have some good ideas for you.

;O)

Magz,

It seems to me that Bob has some thorough and informed advice here - I encourage you to obtain a second clinical opinion - from an independent consulting clinician from a separate hospital/clinic.

Your GP is not a specialist [unless he has some specialism in the colorectal arena] - and many GPs may not have specific experience to accurately prescribe [Primary care resource] - but your GP can refer you for a second opinion!

Please note, by the way, I am not a medic ;-)

Good luck with your research.

Do not be put off or daunted - and hold faith in yourself - I can empathize - as many can on here - that we need to overcome our own tiredness and maintain hope and focus - help is out there -

Hang in

Best of luck

BW

....

And don't give up or become complacent

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ waves ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the hills

Jayne