Colon Resection (2yrs ago) Cramping & Blood - Bowel Disorders Message Board

djwilkerson · 05-04-2005, 12:15 PM

Hi - My aunt had colon cancer two years ago and had a colon resection done. Since that time once a month she experiences pain like childbirth during bowel movements. This past month, the pain was so bad she thought she was going to pass out. I took her to her Dr. and he said yes, she had blood, and come back in two weeks. She was passing nothing but blood for almost 12 hours - large dark 1/2 dollar size. I contacted her surgeon and he thought she should have another colonoscopy. I called her Dr. for a referral and he said that she had a colonoscopy in November and that everything was fine. I explained about the blood and extreme pain, but he seems to think since the November colonoscopy was fine, that there is no problem. I don't know what to do or what could be causing this pain? She is better today (almost a week later). Could it be a blockage or adhesion? Any knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

goody2shuz · 05-04-2005, 12:33 PM

How are your aunt's bowel movements??? Does she go daily and are they loose or constipated??? Does she take a fiber supplement??? To be honest.....blood in the stool is not normal...is it bright red???? Perhaps the strain has caused aggravation to a hemorrhoid. Since any intestinal surgery could have adhesions and strictures (narrowing) form that is a possibility. If your aunt is unable to have a bowel movement, this could be dangerous and cause the bowels to perforate. I would definitely encourage her to continue to express her concerns to her doctor & if he ignores her have her seen by a gastroenterologist who will help get some answers to what is causing her such discomfort. Good luck.....Goody

djwilkerson · 05-04-2005, 12:46 PM

She finally had a very small bowel movement today (it was not loose). After her surgery, the Dr. said it was extremely important to keep her bowels moving, so she takes fiber supplements and stool softners. The blood was not bright red - it was dark. I wonder if a diverticulosis ruptured - although it sounds like that is a rare occurance. The bleeding has stopped now and there was not blood today.

goody2shuz · 05-04-2005, 01:11 PM

Dark blood, almost black, means that the bleeding is not fresh & higher up in the intestinal tract. She should be drinking lots of fluid (water) with the fiber & stool softners......that is important or it could become too bulky and difficult to pass. It is possibe to have bleeding with divierticulitis as well as with polyps and the such. If she is no longer bleeding I would advise her to continue keeping things moving with a high fiber diet, lots of water, and exercise. Any further cramping/bleeding I would have checked out by a gastroenterlologist Good luck...Goody

djwilkerson · 05-04-2005, 01:19 PM

Thank you.