NEW HERE...NEED HELP

[LizzieAnn]

Hello Everyone...

I will give you a summarized hx of my rare case. I have suffered with lifetime constipation. I was misdiagnosed for 7 years as having IBS, but after much testing and a second opinion I was diagnosed with colonic inertia. I was sent to a colorectal surgeon and had my entire colon removed in Jan 08. I had many complications, infection, drains, etc but did well for about 6 months. In June 09 I started not feeling well again and having limited to no bowel movements despite having no colon and heavy use of laxatives. I did biofeedback therapy (PT of the rectum, electrical nerve stimulation, defecography, and even botox injections) all with no improvement. I was then reffered from my colorectal surgeon to The University of Michigan to see a specialist. He diagnosed me with anismus (inability of rectum to relax) and wanted to try three more months of physical therapy. Before this could happen I went startight from work (I am an RN) to the ER with Abdominal distension in April (looked 9 mo pregnant) and vomiting. I was admitted with complate obstruction. I was there for 8 days when I was taken in for emergency ileostomy. It has been a very hard 4 months. I have had major leaking, retraction of stoma, tried four different appliances, and emotionally the hardest thing I have ever gone through.

I was not ready to give up so I seeked a 3rd and then 4th opinion at Cleveland Clinic. My first was in the end of May and he referred me to Dr. Massarat Zutshi (colorectal surgeon/pelvix floor specialist) and I have had testing done since June. About the time of my first appointment I started having urges to go to the bathroom and was even passing stool at least once a week. I have not had these feelings in 8 years. The final round of testing I had last week showed no evidence of anismus and very positive for reversal or connection of lieum back to what I have left to my rectum. I spoke with my local colorectal surgeon here last night and they are going to have me do a month of biofeedback therapy to prepare the rectum and then I can set a date for a reversal. I am thinking first week of October.

I am very nervous. I have had an ileus and abscesses with both of my surgeries. I have had to hospital stays with each and seem to get all of the complications. What does the reversal entail? How long is the operation? How long is the hospital stay generally? I am a chemo nurse and very busy and on my feet ten hours a shift non-stop....what time frame should I be expecting to be off? How is the pain related to the ileostomy? I had severe nause with both and still 4 mo post-op take occasional zofran. I am very prone to obstruction ( had one last night and am just a nervous nelly for this surgery). Please give me any information possible.

LizzieLizzieAnn

Posts: 2
Joined: Yesterday 11:39:06
Private messageE-mail LizzieAnn

[Flemmart]

Hi Lizzie..you've sure have had your share of problems - but you're not alone...we're all here to help. By reversal, do you mean you're getting a kock pouch or bcir? I'm not sure so, need a bit more info to see if I can help.