Bowel surgery for Cronh's, any experience
Discussion
Hi folks,
Looking for some experience on this.
Its been 3 months since my surgery and after talking with the IBD nurse and Cronhs specialist they are very happy with my recovery, they say I look confident walking along the corridor and not in any pain which is surprising after full surgery, not just keyhole.
However I am scheduled to start getting Vitamin B12 injections, and I said I was feeling lethargic and have been having mild headaches a lot of the time, which is unusual for me, and they took blood tests to see if I am okay to carry on with azathioprine.
Apparently my B12 levels are okay, anything between 200 and 700, and I am sitting at 400, so they say I am doing okay there but she did say a nurse in the dept has the same as me and had a right heliocolectomy and had normal B12 levels but was like me and got worse, once she had the injections she flipped back to being normal.
I just wondered if anyone here is on the B12 and what their experience is like on it.
I feel just now that even after 8 hours sleep I am tired, and my forehead and behind the eyes hurts a bit most of the day.
Anyone had similar and found the B12 works. I am getting first shot tomorrow if doctor is happy to give it.
Looking for some experience on this.
Its been 3 months since my surgery and after talking with the IBD nurse and Cronhs specialist they are very happy with my recovery, they say I look confident walking along the corridor and not in any pain which is surprising after full surgery, not just keyhole.
However I am scheduled to start getting Vitamin B12 injections, and I said I was feeling lethargic and have been having mild headaches a lot of the time, which is unusual for me, and they took blood tests to see if I am okay to carry on with azathioprine.
Apparently my B12 levels are okay, anything between 200 and 700, and I am sitting at 400, so they say I am doing okay there but she did say a nurse in the dept has the same as me and had a right heliocolectomy and had normal B12 levels but was like me and got worse, once she had the injections she flipped back to being normal.
I just wondered if anyone here is on the B12 and what their experience is like on it.
I feel just now that even after 8 hours sleep I am tired, and my forehead and behind the eyes hurts a bit most of the day.
Anyone had similar and found the B12 works. I am getting first shot tomorrow if doctor is happy to give it.
spookily enough i have my B12 injection later this evening, when i am tested (12 months) i am within range yet coming up to my dates (every 10 weeks) i feel like sheet.
extra spooky that you mention your eyes, my left eye feels like someone has punched me in it, it's painful if i swivel it in the socket, very itchy, bloodshot and the actual protein of the eyeball is baggy. gross.
i asked the nurse how i can be in range yet feel awful, she did admit there was a better B12 injection they can give but it's not licensed for the UK. I will pump her for more details later.
anyway, glad to hear you are on the mend.
extra spooky that you mention your eyes, my left eye feels like someone has punched me in it, it's painful if i swivel it in the socket, very itchy, bloodshot and the actual protein of the eyeball is baggy. gross.
i asked the nurse how i can be in range yet feel awful, she did admit there was a better B12 injection they can give but it's not licensed for the UK. I will pump her for more details later.
anyway, glad to hear you are on the mend.
Pumping Nurses eh...know what I mean...nudge nudge....wink wink....
Yeah I had read that you can be in the range but still feel like shoite.
Hopefully I can get it sorted as the specialist nurse said the stuff costs pennies and does no harm so best to just try it and see for a few months.
I feel run down and almost like the start of a cold and just a level of cant be bothered that not like me, I definitely wasn't like this about a month ago so hopefully it is just needing a boost.
I wondered if it may be hayfever like symptoms but I have never really had it but my dad and GF do so I know its not that as im fine when they get sneezy and puffy.
Yeah I had read that you can be in the range but still feel like shoite.
Hopefully I can get it sorted as the specialist nurse said the stuff costs pennies and does no harm so best to just try it and see for a few months.
I feel run down and almost like the start of a cold and just a level of cant be bothered that not like me, I definitely wasn't like this about a month ago so hopefully it is just needing a boost.
I wondered if it may be hayfever like symptoms but I have never really had it but my dad and GF do so I know its not that as im fine when they get sneezy and puffy.
Hi Rick I am due b12 booster and suffering similar symptoms recently.
Tired, lethargic and slight hangover-type headache, all pretty normal when getting low on b12.
Remind me what part of stomach did you have removed?
My ops have been to remove sections near the end of my large intestine(lower right of stomach around appendix area-in fact my scar just looks like a large appendix scar).
If I remember what my specialist told me this is part of stomach that diverts all the vitamins, calcium etc so when this is removed there is need for vitamin injections, calcium tablets etc.
Tired, lethargic and slight hangover-type headache, all pretty normal when getting low on b12.
Remind me what part of stomach did you have removed?
My ops have been to remove sections near the end of my large intestine(lower right of stomach around appendix area-in fact my scar just looks like a large appendix scar).
If I remember what my specialist told me this is part of stomach that diverts all the vitamins, calcium etc so when this is removed there is need for vitamin injections, calcium tablets etc.
dumfriesdave said:
Hi Rick I am due b12 booster and suffering similar symptoms recently.
Tired, lethargic and slight hangover-type headache, all pretty normal when getting low on b12.
Remind me what part of stomach did you have removed?
My ops have been to remove sections near the end of my large intestine(lower right of stomach around appendix area-in fact my scar just looks like a large appendix scar).
If I remember what my specialist told me this is part of stomach that diverts all the vitamins, calcium etc so when this is removed there is need for vitamin injections, calcium tablets etc.
Yeah same bits, basically right side of large and the ileum connection\valve an appendix.Tired, lethargic and slight hangover-type headache, all pretty normal when getting low on b12.
Remind me what part of stomach did you have removed?
My ops have been to remove sections near the end of my large intestine(lower right of stomach around appendix area-in fact my scar just looks like a large appendix scar).
If I remember what my specialist told me this is part of stomach that diverts all the vitamins, calcium etc so when this is removed there is need for vitamin injections, calcium tablets etc.
Only just seen this thread, I've had crohns since I was 9 and had several operations, near enough every med there is and now after a combination of my last surgery, methotrexate and then Modulen diet I'm finally is what I would call remission for the 1st time ever (27 now) if you ever need advice or anything just send me a pm.
With b12 I can't say I notice too much difference, but I generally struggle a bit anyway as I only have just over a metre of bowel left.
Anyone here got an ostomy?
With b12 I can't say I notice too much difference, but I generally struggle a bit anyway as I only have just over a metre of bowel left.
Anyone here got an ostomy?
Sorry to piggyback onto this thread, but as there are a few sufferers on here, thought I'd ask.
I've been suffering with weight loss since about february and I'm about 10-12lbs down at the moment. I've never had it before so it gave me a lot of anxiety at first wondering what it was. Went to the docs, had bloods, urine, ultrasound showed no growths on my organs and gastrocopy came back as normal.
i've had lower back pain which has come and gone, some mild abdominal pains (none crippling but enough to nag me and some have been there for hours each day pain scale 3/10) and some nausea some hours after eating. Had a flare up in my prostate 2 weeks ago which the doc diagnosed as Prostatitis and put me on Ciprofloxacin. Bowels been fine up until last week when I became quite constipated. Recently had small amount of blood on wiping this last week and then the last two nights, felt hot and had a burning sensation round the back. Last night, had an explosion of the runs which felt like i'd lost about 3-4 pints in one go. Fortunately not been to empty bowels again since but hoping that its not like that again!
Went back to the docs today, told me I have a small tear inside, and gave me some cream for it. I've got to go back to discuss further investigations re the weight loss but I'm not anaemic, Thyroid is fine and dont have diabetes. Healthy (usually) early 30s male with no previous medical issues. Dont feel lethargic, or lacking in anything. Could it be IBD?
I've been suffering with weight loss since about february and I'm about 10-12lbs down at the moment. I've never had it before so it gave me a lot of anxiety at first wondering what it was. Went to the docs, had bloods, urine, ultrasound showed no growths on my organs and gastrocopy came back as normal.
i've had lower back pain which has come and gone, some mild abdominal pains (none crippling but enough to nag me and some have been there for hours each day pain scale 3/10) and some nausea some hours after eating. Had a flare up in my prostate 2 weeks ago which the doc diagnosed as Prostatitis and put me on Ciprofloxacin. Bowels been fine up until last week when I became quite constipated. Recently had small amount of blood on wiping this last week and then the last two nights, felt hot and had a burning sensation round the back. Last night, had an explosion of the runs which felt like i'd lost about 3-4 pints in one go. Fortunately not been to empty bowels again since but hoping that its not like that again!
Went back to the docs today, told me I have a small tear inside, and gave me some cream for it. I've got to go back to discuss further investigations re the weight loss but I'm not anaemic, Thyroid is fine and dont have diabetes. Healthy (usually) early 30s male with no previous medical issues. Dont feel lethargic, or lacking in anything. Could it be IBD?
It could be but it would have shown I would think. It sounds like the bleeding is probably from the tear. Was the blood in the poo or on the paper when you wiped? It's crude but it makes a difference. Mixed in with the poo would indicate it was more inside than on the paper indicating it's on the surface or shallow.
Pain is a difficult one to say though. Your 3/10 might not be someone else's. Mine aches on a good day. On a bad day I spend most of it doubled over.
Did they mention anything about inflammatory markers in the blood test? Few signs in a full blood count
Pain is a difficult one to say though. Your 3/10 might not be someone else's. Mine aches on a good day. On a bad day I spend most of it doubled over.
Did they mention anything about inflammatory markers in the blood test? Few signs in a full blood count
honest_delboy said:
spookily enough i have my B12 injection later this evening, when i am tested (12 months) i am within range yet coming up to my dates (every 10 weeks) i feel like sheet.
extra spooky that you mention your eyes, my left eye feels like someone has punched me in it, it's painful if i swivel it in the socket, very itchy, bloodshot and the actual protein of the eyeball is baggy. gross.
i asked the nurse how i can be in range yet feel awful, she did admit there was a better B12 injection they can give but it's not licensed for the UK. I will pump her for more details later.
anyway, glad to hear you are on the mend.
Re eyesextra spooky that you mention your eyes, my left eye feels like someone has punched me in it, it's painful if i swivel it in the socket, very itchy, bloodshot and the actual protein of the eyeball is baggy. gross.
i asked the nurse how i can be in range yet feel awful, she did admit there was a better B12 injection they can give but it's not licensed for the UK. I will pump her for more details later.
anyway, glad to hear you are on the mend.
Uveitis can be common in Crohns patients, I have had issues a few times and it comes on pretty quickly and I just zoom to Moorfields and they are brilliant. Usually steroid drops fix it very quickly.
B12 and Iron are likely to be cause of tiredness. Try both if you can.
Blimey, just reading on wikipedia Uvetis seems pretty likely, i'll give iron and folic acid a whirl too, see how that goes. After my surgery i had low ferretin levels so was on Iron for a few months.
I had my B12 shot last week and feel better, not quite so tired, feel energetic and alert. Nurse asked me to make an appt with GP to get bloods and reviewed before next shot to see if there is anything else they can do for me as i shouldn't be feeling this bad (fittish 38-year old, non-smoker)
I had my B12 shot last week and feel better, not quite so tired, feel energetic and alert. Nurse asked me to make an appt with GP to get bloods and reviewed before next shot to see if there is anything else they can do for me as i shouldn't be feeling this bad (fittish 38-year old, non-smoker)
The B12 definitely helped, feel less doomed at 2pm now, Eye pain and headaches I think are actually hayfever as I don't get any other symptoms but hayfever tablets helped.
Hopefully that's it settling now I have all my potions in me.
Got a wedding in Guildford in July, 9 hour train travel, that doesn't bother me, its the getting to station and if the train doesn't have a loo at any points I get stressed and GF gets a bit stressed as a result. I don't have diarrhea now, but can need loo suddenly and brain goes into panic mode.
Should be fine though, just need spare pants and troos just in case
Hopefully that's it settling now I have all my potions in me.
Got a wedding in Guildford in July, 9 hour train travel, that doesn't bother me, its the getting to station and if the train doesn't have a loo at any points I get stressed and GF gets a bit stressed as a result. I don't have diarrhea now, but can need loo suddenly and brain goes into panic mode.
Should be fine though, just need spare pants and troos just in case
Bump again.
Hi folks,
I am doing fine after the surgery, the only main issues I am having are still have urgency to go to the loo\bit panicky\stressed out when I have to travel, even to work is a fun affair, however the diarreah etc has basically stopped bar a few odd times.
I am trying to get it into my head that its probably not the runs and I don't have to ram raid the nearest public convenience but its very hard to ignore the feeling that you 'really have to go, right, just, now!
However the other issue I now have is I am putting weight on and probably gained maybe 2kg and feel HUGE but I know its not much as I am 5'7" and am about 66-69kg but I always hated my belly fat and feel I look like a whale when my GF says I shouldn't.
However I am worried that any weight gain could be dangerous for my incision scar, i.e. will it be able to stretch?
I am alos getting stinging sensations on the scar today and its pissing me off, I know its not the weight gain, and if I blow out my tummy it doesn't hurt or anything but I am unconsciously holsing in my tummy due to it feeling tender and my being a bit embarrassed about my bump, which is daft for a 32 year old man to be worried about
Any post op surgery folks on here got experience in how your bowels settled down after 6 months and if the scar tingling\stining goes away.
I am googling cross trainers and weight sets as I type as I want to be back to the 63kg I was before cronhs went mental and I had to go back on roids and re-gained the 10kg I had lost in 4 months in about 4 weeks
, so hopefully now I wont have flare ups I can get myself thin again. (when I say thin, I mean lose 8kg as I am skinny, I just hate my bump of a belly on an otherwise slender frame, looks f
king stupid.
Hi folks,
I am doing fine after the surgery, the only main issues I am having are still have urgency to go to the loo\bit panicky\stressed out when I have to travel, even to work is a fun affair, however the diarreah etc has basically stopped bar a few odd times.
I am trying to get it into my head that its probably not the runs and I don't have to ram raid the nearest public convenience but its very hard to ignore the feeling that you 'really have to go, right, just, now!
However the other issue I now have is I am putting weight on and probably gained maybe 2kg and feel HUGE but I know its not much as I am 5'7" and am about 66-69kg but I always hated my belly fat and feel I look like a whale when my GF says I shouldn't.
However I am worried that any weight gain could be dangerous for my incision scar, i.e. will it be able to stretch?
I am alos getting stinging sensations on the scar today and its pissing me off, I know its not the weight gain, and if I blow out my tummy it doesn't hurt or anything but I am unconsciously holsing in my tummy due to it feeling tender and my being a bit embarrassed about my bump, which is daft for a 32 year old man to be worried about
Any post op surgery folks on here got experience in how your bowels settled down after 6 months and if the scar tingling\stining goes away.
I am googling cross trainers and weight sets as I type as I want to be back to the 63kg I was before cronhs went mental and I had to go back on roids and re-gained the 10kg I had lost in 4 months in about 4 weeks
, so hopefully now I wont have flare ups I can get myself thin again. (when I say thin, I mean lose 8kg as I am skinny, I just hate my bump of a belly on an otherwise slender frame, looks fking stupid.to be honest I forget what it was like exactly after my last op as it was nearly a decade ago, my scar did pop open after week though as it had been cut over numerous times and I had a illiostomy bag pulling at it.
remind me regarding the 'urgency' to go, have you had a stoma or have they just reconnected you?
remind me regarding the 'urgency' to go, have you had a stoma or have they just reconnected you?
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