For those with RC bowel issues

[Greg]

As anyone who has had an RC knows, bowel issues are a common complaint during recovery for a variety of reasons. Constipation is most uncomfortable and should not be ignored. That’s true for anyone, but especially true when you have a large incision in your abdomen, various catheters snaking their way into and out of your body, and a metabolism that has dramatically changed (even though temporary) from what it was pre-surgery.

This link might be of some assistance to some:

http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/05/constipation-6-ways-to-unblock-yourself/

Greg

[Kit]

Thanks Greg, that is very useful! It is very important to pay attention to the body after an RC.

I do have a silly question: if you or other members know of any idea or tips (other than setting an alarm clock) to remind oneself to periodically empty the pouch if the person does not like to use either the big collecting bag nor the one around the thigh.

[Greg]

Sorry I don’t have suggestions as I only had a pouch for seven weeks on the end of a Foley catheter. My neobladder needs emptying twice a night as well and I tend to wake up now so I do not need an alarm (though that does create some serious flooding issues on rare occasions if I go into a really deep sleep!). When I had the pouch I set the alarm and I used the larger night bag which I kept in a container with a handle so I could simply grab the whole apparatus and head for the washroom.

Others might be more helpful.

[Kit]

Greg, thanks for your reply. I understand that is a bit unrealistic so perhaps adapting to the inconvenience of using a night bag is the way to go (yes Mom’s problem was also ‘flooding’ in deep sleep).

[Zina]

Hello all, just wondering if anyone has the opposite bowel issues following an RC – very loose bowel movements. I have gone from eating whole grains & lots of fruits & veggies pre-cancer, to eating more white bread & cutting back on fruits & veggies post-RC. How’s that for irony? I am concerned about balancing overall nutrition with not having to race for the bathroom 3-4 times a day. Has anyone found this balance?

[Kit]

Hi Zina, yes my mom had mild constipation for the first few days, and then turned normal, and then started to have mild diarrhea since this morning (8 days after RC with ileal conduit). She did not really cut down on fruits and veggie but seems to stabilize a bit tonight. I suppose these are different stages of the GI tract healing process but I will ask the home visit nurse tomorrow.

[Author]

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