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I was diagnosed with Colorectal cancer in 2012.July 2 I received surgery to remove my colon. 6 months of chemotherapy and a reatachment surgery. But every since then I have had severe pain and cramping in my stomach. I have tried alot of meds and all have failed, except Vicoden. When I take it the cramps go away and it also "slow's" my system down. Which means the frequency to go to the bathroom subsidies.  The strange thing is for me to pass gas I must be laying on my right side. If I am setting up it feels as if I am going to have an accident. I still get up frequently at night to use the bathroom.  I also notice swelling and sometimes have trouble going at times. I get no helpfull responses from my doctor's. I would LOVE any help I could receive, even if it is just someone who is having a simular situation as I am. I love my wife and family but they just don't understand.
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Many of us suffered with inflammatory bowel disease before colectomy, and we also have IBD related complications post op. But, for you, that does not seem to be the case.

 

A couple of things come to mind. First, and most likely, is the probability that you have problematic adhesions (internal scar tissue that prevents normal movement of the intestines). These do not show up on imaging, unless they cause an acute complete obstruction. Anyone who has had abdominal surgery can have adhesions, and they may or may not cause problems. Surgical release is the only treatment, and diagnosis is by eliminating other causes of your symptoms. But, more surgery can cause more adhesions, so it is a last resort.  So, if you are doing OK just by taking a low dose opiate, that is probably a better solution. The body builds up a tolerance to opiate pain releiving effects, but not the GI effects.

 

The other thought is if you had radiation treatment and had gut damage from it. But, I would expect it to have resolved by now if that was the case.

 

Jan

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