CMarie: There are several options for low dose options for hormone replacement therapy that you can consider with your medical team, especially considering your mother’s history. And remember . . . Times have changed since your mother received HRT and medical opinions and thinking have evolved and s...

Kristy: I have a permanent ileosotmy and pop in from time to time to offer advice on ostomies. My own opinion is that it is wise to be cautious with some particular foods with a loop or end ileostomy. The diameter of the working stoma is small, about 1”, and is anchored in place with stitches. This ...

I have been in the position of primary supporter to my brother who was diagnosed with a grade IV glioblastoma. I internalized my brother’s dire circumstance. His pain became my pain. I am currently in the position of patient, with life-limiting endocrine failure. It may seem cliche’ to say, but I ma...

Jolene: The silicon dilator sets by Vaginimus really are exceptional. I heard about them through a women’s support group for uvulitis and their upfront and personal reviews of different products. I agree with weissoccermom and the importance of Premarin in conjunction with the dilators. The vaginal ...

Liver, gallbladder, and bile duct distress will often present as referred pain to the scapula and shoulder. The nervous system “wiring” is gut and abdomen is fairly primitive. The source of pain is not where the pain is experienced. It is one reason why diagnosing abdominal pain can be difficult and...

Momseriti: Palliative Care is a service that would be of benefit to your husband as well as you and your children. Palliative Care is whole person care that focuses on comfort and minimization of distressing symptoms for anyone facing a serious, life-limiting illness. I have been receiving Palliativ...

Cmarie: I was a physical therapist before chronic loss of health found me. Radiation has detrimental effects to ligaments and connective tissue of the hips and sacroiliac joints. Adhesive capsulitis (inflammation and thickening of the hip joint capsule), articular bone decay, and effects on the surr...

I’ve personally had liver values (ALT and AST, in particular) in the range of 1,600 due to medication effects. Your husband’s liver has been traumatized by the resection surgery. Be confident that his medical team will be monitoring him and acting as needed. Giving the liver rest for healing will se...

Pyro: Last area of inquiry would be an abscess (retroperitoneal space) or bone marrow inflammation of the sacrum/coccyx. I gather you have had a CT scan or MRI and bloodwork to look for WBC coint and inflammatory markers. Sometimes it is useful to have a second radiology reading of CT scans. I have ...

Pyro: That your pain is new 2 years post radiation and surgery also brings to question effects to your hip joints or sacro-iliac joint as a root source of your pain. Sacro-iliac dysfunction is a probable site of collateral damage from your prior radiation. The SI joint can be a source of intense ref...

Pyro: I have a permanent ileostomy with a “Barbie butt.” Know that healing and recovery of the perianal wound and desensitization of local sensory nerves is a notoriously slow and prolonged process. 8-10 months for healing is not unheard of. The “Barbie butt” and perianal wound area is suspect to po...

Any pictullar type of incontinence underwear I should get,,, don't want to get 10 different varieties I was recently diagnosed with a tunneling fistula that has decided to drain from my surgically closed backend. A constant seepage. I found “post pardum mesh underware” on Amazon that is proving to ...

Just a word to ease some who are concerned about life after a loop ileostomy reversal and considering a colostomy if effects of LARS syndrome are untenable . . . A loop ileostomy, as is placed as a temporary ostomy to allow for healing, is respected by those like myself with a permanent ostomy to be...

Hi there, I'm quarter way through this post and just have a question about prep before reversal??? Is it bowel prep same as colonoscopy, or only fasting like surgery Thanks Adele X Hi Adele: Your surgeon will likely have you follow a clear liquid diet for about 24 hours before your loop ileostomy t...

London: That you have removal of the ileocecal valve may be contributing to your continued use and reliance on loperamide. The ileocecal valve serves to prevent reverse back-flow of digestive contents from the large intestine to the small intestine. It is a one way valve whose function is important ...