Posted , 5 users are following.
I was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. I had chemo, radiation then surgery. I had a colostomy bag for 6 months then surgery to reattach my bowel. I'm finding every time I eat I have to go the toilet constantly sometimes up to 20 times. This is really starting to get me down. I'm scared to eat. Does it get better?
0 likes, 4 replies
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susan21751 enzo12897
Posted
enzo
Speak to your Colo-Rectal Nurse -she should be able to advise you in this respect.
She might recommend Loperamide-but wait till she advises you before taking it.
So sorry to hear of your predicament-it must be so frustrating-after all you've been through.
I had a re-section 2015 but didn't have to have a stoma-but did have toiletting problems and was recommended Loperamide-which helped-I wouldn't take it without asking advice first.
All my good wishes
Susan
grace25994 enzo12897
Posted
chance for re-attachment because my tumor was so low. I was on other
colon cancer sites and did hear of your problem. (I do know there is a
program to help with bowel training) I am in the US)
I will tell you about one I corosponded with. He tried everything, but
nothing allowed him a life away from his bathroom. He was really
devasted with this problem. Finally after about 2 years he went back
to surgery and got a permanant colostomy bag. At least now he has a
new normal life. You may want to speak more with your doctor about
your options.
sean52664 enzo12897
Posted
Hi Enzo, my treatment was similar to yours. My Ileostomy was not successful and was reversed after 5 weeks. 2 months later i had Chemo. My toilet frequency and urgency was killing me (not literally) 15 months on from my tumor removal i average 10 movements a day. Sometimes i pass lots and other times not much. Ofter during the night, sometimes Fecal incontinence. My wind can be terrible. Things are a little easier than one year ago but i'm told it's a result of surgery. The Surgeon expected it to calm down but it has not yet. I have been offered Loperamide but i don't want it, my fears of constipation and being Impacted are too great. I have a 'Just can't wait' card but have not used it yet. I know how the toilet dominates your life and hope thinngs improve for you. Best wishes. Sean.
alison_64461 enzo12897
Posted
I know these posts are about a month old now but thought I would add my husband's experience that might encourage posters, although he still has some problems! He was diagnosed with bowel cancer nearly fourteen years ago, stage 3c with eleven out of eighteen lymph nodes positive for cancer. He had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy but no colostomy bag. He had terrible problems with urgency for a couple of years until he was told to take caltrate when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer (yes, he has had his fair share!). We realised after a while that his urgency was far less and realised it was the caltrate. Unfortunately, he had to cut down on that when more recently, his calcium levels were too high! And his urgency has returned to some extent, some days. He does not eat out and, even though he goes out every day, he would not travel too far from home. He takes Loperimide if he has to but does not like the lingering effects. However, in spite of his advanced bowel cancer, he is alive and well! He is now seventy eight.