Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

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utahgal7
Posts: 202
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:04 pm

Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby utahgal7 » Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:20 pm

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I was wondering if anyone on here experienced constipation after ileostomy reversal surgery. My reversal was 3 weeks ago. For the 1st week following surgery, I had many loose stools which I was told to expect. Then after the 1st week until now, I have experienced constipation. My doctor said that I could take Miralax 3 times a day - which really hasn't helped much. I eat a high fiber diet, drink a lot of water and walk each day. My doctor also said to incorporate psyllium in my diet, which I have done. I just don't understand why I am still constipated. The constipation is scaring me....because I was really constipated prior to diagnosis of stage III rectal cancer. I am so worried about my cancer coming back. I am scheduled for CT scan in 3 weeks. The waiting is tough!

Does anyone have suggestions on dealing with constipation? Is this constipation normal? I am so confused.

Thanks in advance for any advice! Have a great day!
02/20 Rectal Cancer dx - 4 cm mass; located 9 cm from AV
03/20 CEA 2.7; 0.9; 1.4; 0.9; 0.9; 1.2; 1.0; 0.8; 1.1; 1.0; 1.1; 1.7; 1.8; 1.8
1.9; 2.4; 2.3; 2.8; 2.2, 2.8, 3.2; 3.0; 1.6; 2.0; 1.2
04/20 ST Radiation; 04/20 LAR surgery w/ileostomy; ypT3N1bM0; MSS, KRAS G12A
05/20 CAPEOX; 08/20 Ileostomy reversal
12/20 CT scan; lung nodules (watch and wait);
11/22 lung nodule biopsy positive for RC met;
1/23 VATS right lower lobe wedge resection
FOLFIRI 10 cycles
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Lee
Posts: 6207
Joined: Sun Apr 16, 2006 4:09 pm

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby Lee » Fri Sep 11, 2020 7:30 pm

Are you on any pain med? That can cause constipation. If it continues, might want to give your surgeon a call.

Any cheese in your diet? That hold me up. Salad greens get me going fast.

Hope you are moving along soon.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!
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utahgal7
Posts: 202
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:04 pm

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby utahgal7 » Sat Sep 12, 2020 7:28 am

Lee,

Thank you for the advice. Have a great day!
02/20 Rectal Cancer dx - 4 cm mass; located 9 cm from AV
03/20 CEA 2.7; 0.9; 1.4; 0.9; 0.9; 1.2; 1.0; 0.8; 1.1; 1.0; 1.1; 1.7; 1.8; 1.8
1.9; 2.4; 2.3; 2.8; 2.2, 2.8, 3.2; 3.0; 1.6; 2.0; 1.2
04/20 ST Radiation; 04/20 LAR surgery w/ileostomy; ypT3N1bM0; MSS, KRAS G12A
05/20 CAPEOX; 08/20 Ileostomy reversal
12/20 CT scan; lung nodules (watch and wait);
11/22 lung nodule biopsy positive for RC met;
1/23 VATS right lower lobe wedge resection
FOLFIRI 10 cycles
Top
NHMike
Posts: 2555
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:43 am

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby NHMike » Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:16 am

Certain foods are known to slow things down. Potatoes slow things down a lot for me.

A prebiotic and/or probiotic might help. I find that Dulcolax is quite a stronger laxative compared to Miralax and will be productive within eight hours while Miralax can take up to a few days. I haven't taken a laxative in probably six weeks.

I take Slippery Elm and Nopalina and things come out regularly when I take them daily. Things slow down when I don't take them.

As always, check with your doctor before trying new things.
6/17: ER rectal bleeding; Colonoscopy
7/17: 3B rectal. T3N1bM0. 5.2 4.5 4.3 cm. Lymphs: 6 x 4 mm, 8 x 6, 5 x 5
7/17-9/17: Xeloda radiation
7/5: CEA 2.7; 8/16: 1.9; 11/30: 0.6; 12/20 1.4; 1/10 1.8; 1/31 2.2; 2/28 2.6; 4/10 2.8; 5/1 2.8; 5/29 3.2; 7/13 4.5; 8/9 2.8, 2/12 1.2
MSS, KRAS G12D
10/17: 2.7 2.2 1.6 cm (-90%). Lymphs: 3 x 3 mm (-62.5%), 4 x 3 (-75%), 5 x 3 (-40%). 5.1 CM from AV
10/17: LAR, Temp Ileostomy, Path Complete Response
CapeOx (8) 12/17-6/18
7/18: Reversal, Port Removal
2/19: Clean CT
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utahgal7
Posts: 202
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:04 pm

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby utahgal7 » Sat Sep 12, 2020 4:15 pm

NHMike,

Thank you for the advice. I take a probiotic already (Renew Life 30 billion) and it hasn't helped much. I looked up Nopalina on Amazon and it looks like a good source of fiber. Yes, dulcolax works quicker than Miralax. Maybe, I just need to have more patience with Miralax and eat more fiber.

I am glad that you have found items that work for you.

Best wishes!
02/20 Rectal Cancer dx - 4 cm mass; located 9 cm from AV
03/20 CEA 2.7; 0.9; 1.4; 0.9; 0.9; 1.2; 1.0; 0.8; 1.1; 1.0; 1.1; 1.7; 1.8; 1.8
1.9; 2.4; 2.3; 2.8; 2.2, 2.8, 3.2; 3.0; 1.6; 2.0; 1.2
04/20 ST Radiation; 04/20 LAR surgery w/ileostomy; ypT3N1bM0; MSS, KRAS G12A
05/20 CAPEOX; 08/20 Ileostomy reversal
12/20 CT scan; lung nodules (watch and wait);
11/22 lung nodule biopsy positive for RC met;
1/23 VATS right lower lobe wedge resection
FOLFIRI 10 cycles
Top
boxhill
Posts: 789
Joined: Fri Apr 06, 2018 11:40 am

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby boxhill » Sun Sep 13, 2020 4:19 pm

Have you tried using a stool softener in addition? After surgery, I was given ducosate and senna to use as needed.
F, 64 at DX CRC Stage IV
3/17/18 blockage, r hemi
11 of 25 LN,5 mesentery nodes
5mm liver met
pT3 pN2b pM1
BRAF wild, KRAS G12D
dMMR, MSI-H
5/18 FOLFOX
7/18 and 11/18 CT NED
12/18 MRI 5mm liver mass, 2 LNs in porta hepatis
12/31/18 Keytruda
6/19 Multiphasic CT LNs normal, Liver stable
6/28/19 Pause Key, predisone for joint pain
7/31/19 Restart Key
9/19 CT stable
Pain: all fails but Celebrex
12/23/19 CT stable
5/20 MRI stable/NED
6/20 Stop Key
All MRIs NED
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utahgal7
Posts: 202
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:04 pm

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby utahgal7 » Mon Sep 14, 2020 7:13 am

boxhill,

Yes, I use senna/stool softener when it seems like Miralax is working too slowly.

Have a great day!
02/20 Rectal Cancer dx - 4 cm mass; located 9 cm from AV
03/20 CEA 2.7; 0.9; 1.4; 0.9; 0.9; 1.2; 1.0; 0.8; 1.1; 1.0; 1.1; 1.7; 1.8; 1.8
1.9; 2.4; 2.3; 2.8; 2.2, 2.8, 3.2; 3.0; 1.6; 2.0; 1.2
04/20 ST Radiation; 04/20 LAR surgery w/ileostomy; ypT3N1bM0; MSS, KRAS G12A
05/20 CAPEOX; 08/20 Ileostomy reversal
12/20 CT scan; lung nodules (watch and wait);
11/22 lung nodule biopsy positive for RC met;
1/23 VATS right lower lobe wedge resection
FOLFIRI 10 cycles
Top
ams5796
Posts: 2298
Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 10:07 am

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby ams5796 » Wed Sep 16, 2020 9:03 pm

Are you on Facebook? There's a great group on there for those of us who have had low anterior resections. The folks on there have lots of good advice.
Stage 3C (or 4?) Rectal Cancer 01/07
2/10 lung mets
3/11 VATS
6/11 VATS
7/13 lung met
2/14 SBRT
NED 8/14
5/17 scan and MRI found treated spine met
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utahgal7
Posts: 202
Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:04 pm

Re: Constipation after Ileostomy Reversal

Postby utahgal7 » Fri Sep 18, 2020 2:33 pm

ams5796,

Sorry for responding late. No, I am not on facebook anymore. My husband is though!

Have a great day!
02/20 Rectal Cancer dx - 4 cm mass; located 9 cm from AV
03/20 CEA 2.7; 0.9; 1.4; 0.9; 0.9; 1.2; 1.0; 0.8; 1.1; 1.0; 1.1; 1.7; 1.8; 1.8
1.9; 2.4; 2.3; 2.8; 2.2, 2.8, 3.2; 3.0; 1.6; 2.0; 1.2
04/20 ST Radiation; 04/20 LAR surgery w/ileostomy; ypT3N1bM0; MSS, KRAS G12A
05/20 CAPEOX; 08/20 Ileostomy reversal
12/20 CT scan; lung nodules (watch and wait);
11/22 lung nodule biopsy positive for RC met;
1/23 VATS right lower lobe wedge resection
FOLFIRI 10 cycles
Top
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