Bathroom Issues Post Surgery

[outdoors30328]

Hi all. I'm brand new to this forum and have never posted anything before. I've got Colon / Rectal Cancer Stage IIIc. I was diagnosed March 2017. I was scheduled for 24 sessions of Folfox. I got to about 22 and then my blood work numbers went down so they stopped it. It worked very well though and the Tumor shrunk dramatically. About 6 weeks after the chemo finished, I had my rectosigmoid resection surgery in early November which went well. All my lymph nodes came back clear which was great except they had one area where they weren't sure if they got good margins. As such, they are recommending radiation just to be safe which I'll start in January. I'm feeling great with one exception. I can't stay out of the bathroom. I'm literally going like 15 times a day which makes my quality of life poor since I'm afraid to go out without wearing a Depends or something like that. I think part of this has to do with the location of the tumor and the surgeon taking out the rectosigmoid region which as I understand it is your "storage" area. My question for the group is does anyone have a similar experience and how long does it take to get back to having normal bowl movements where you only go once a day? Is there anything. you did special to help the process along? I realize radiation messes up the timetable but really focused on more long term. Just looking for some hope that it does get better. Thanks!

[ozziej]

Hi, sorry you have to be here. The bad news is that between 60 and 90% of people who have a rectal resection have ongoing bowel issues, most commonly known as Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS ). The good news is that it is still too early to tell if your issues will be ongoing. Frequency (going multiple times per day) and clustering (going less than 15 minutes after your previous bowel motion) are extremely common in the early days after a low or ultra low resection. However, most people find that things gradually improve. It can take up to 2 years for things to settle, but realistically most people never return to a 'normal' one time a day. There is a Facebook group for people living with LARS. You will be made most welcome and can receive support and advice. It is important to remember that it is a marathon not a sprint. Best wishes.

[O Stoma Mia]

... Is there anything. you did special to help the process along? ...

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/documents/digestivedisease/files/LowAnteriorResectionSyndr.pdf

https://livingwithlars.com/
.

[KathyLynn]

I’m 4 weeks post surgery. I’m taking Metamucil (4 pills a day). Since surgery
About 2 weeks ago I have been dealing with the cluster problem. Bathroom every 30 minutes, most the day
For 2 to 3 days at a time. No diarrhea just small amount at a time
So, 2 weeks ago when it started, I would take one dulcolax at night
I get up in the morning, take “care of business” and I’m good! No issues. I just take 1 dulcolax a week
I’ve done this for two weeks and so far so good!
My fingers are crossed

Hope this helps!

KathyLynn