My Digestive problems ranged from incredible bloating, I looked like a pregnant woman ready to burst, to not being able to hold down any food, the specialist did find that I had a floppy bowel and stitched it up the first time. The second time they resected and took a huge piece out so that it stopped twisting and totally blocking and of course found a mass of adhesions around the twisting areas.
After surgery I found that if I ate something it would give me diarrohea or constipation. But I think the worst was the bowel pain. I found it extremely hard to tell the difference between, Endo, Adhesion or Bowel Pain. Tests, tests, tests. Then my bowel specialist gave me the Colofac and it settled my bowel down enough to know that certain pain was caused from it. And when I started eating the right foods, it starting working properly. It is a relaxant for the bowel.
Someone wrote a message in here recently, about how alcohol helped the bowel. I think that when I drank alcohol it relaxed myself, enough to not feel as much of the pain. You certainly shouldn't take alcohol with medication, I am not advocating it. But the bowel does need to be relaxed, and that is what the Colofac does.
I find that I can eat certain foods that I couldn't before now. But still am very careful. I don't eat very spicy foods as they make my bowel go stupid. But a little bit of tomato and peas here and there, but never overdo it. I am mindful as I don't want that awful pain if I can help it.
I guess the reality of having such major operations, made me realise the importance of my diet. I was close to a colostomy bag, and the fear of that is enough to ensure my diet is balanced with alot of fibre. The easy the bowel movement, the less pain for me
I hope this helps anways Keep your chin up !!! Trace.
>----- Original Message -----
From: "Janet Karam" <jkaram4@home.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2000 3:25 AM
Subject: Re: where to go, what to do
> Thanks Trace,
>
> I appreciate your help. Never heard of Colofac, but it sounds like it's
> worth looking into. There is so little I can eat right now.
>
> If it's not too personal, what type of digestive problems were you having
> before taking Colofac?
>
> Janet
>> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "niko (awesome)" <nicko69@dingoblue.net.au>
> To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 13, 2000 8:25 PM
> Subject: Re: where to go, what to do
>
> > Hey Janet ;-))
> >
> > I have IBS, and I take a wonderful tablet called "Colofac" .. I have IBS
> as
> > a result of two bowel operations and they found a heap of adhesions.
> > Adhesions on the bowel are an extremely hard thing to diagnose without a
> > major operation. And that operation, is awful. The only time the doctors
> can
> > operate is in the event of an obstruction. After alot of hunting around
> for
> > my own bowel problems, Colofac is what I discovered. Great thing for me
> > anyway.
> >
> > I find it hard not to take alot of Codeine when I'm in pain, as it
upsets
> > the bowel, causes constipation and bloating. The bowel medication allows
> me
> > to eat anything now, and not get sick from the food. The bloating I
eased
> > with my 'ol hot water bottle.
> >
> > I had the rounds of doctors to find one to finally diagnose me with IBS,
> so
> > I guess my predicament is reversed to most of the sufferers here.
> >
> > Don't give up, there are alot of doctors out there that do care, and
will
> > help. I'm living proof that some medication can help. Have a cabinet
full
> of
> > ones that don't. But now have my main ones that do.
> >
> > Please keep your chin up, and avoid tomato, peas and spicy food. That
> > information helps me alot.
> >
> > Hope I have helped even in the smallest amount,
> > Take care
> > Trace
> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Janet" <jkaram4@home.com>
> > To: "Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS" <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net>
> > Sent: Thursday, December 14, 2000 3:12 AM
> > Subject: where to go, what to do
> >
> > > Is there any point to seeing another G.I.? My last round of testing
> > > resulted in yet another IBS diagnosis, and the advice to take two
> > > tablespoons of psyllium a day. It's not helping at all, and my belly
is
> > > so distended that a look pregnant! Every day is such a struggle, there
> > > is a list of about 10 foods that I can eat, and even then the food
> > > sometimes sits in my stomach for hours, often coming back up for a
> > > second tasting. Why won't doctors listen and try to hlp? Instead, the
> > > process of seeing a new doctor leads to such hopelessness and defeat.
> Is
> > > there really anything they can do? Or do I need to accept that for the
> > > rest of my life, I can be grateful to at least be able to eat steamed
> > > broccoli and carrots, mashed potatoes and cereal? I try to wake up
with
> > > hope every day. I experiment with different foods in an effort for a
> > > more balanced diet, but I feel my head bruised from how many times
it's
> > > hit the wall. Thanks for letting me vent, I just don't know where to
> > > turn. Any cooments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Janet
> > >
> > > to the unsubscribe form at
http://www.adhesions.org/forums/listcmds.htm
> > >
> >
>