Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | New here -- colon cancer survivor now with IBS

Hello fellow gut wrenchers! I'm new to this board and am coming to this realization of IBS reluctantly.

I'm a 3 1/2 year colon cancer survivor. My tumor was low in my colon, I avoided a colostomy by mere centimeters. The surgical procedure was to remove all the rectal tissue, and then fashion what's called a J pouch - a reservoir for the accumulation of feces so it doesn't just slide on down. I went through radiation and chemo in addition to the surgery, so my poor gut has been through a lot of trauma since 2001.

I was told to expect more frequent bowel movements; but not the sorts of reactions I've been having to food. Several people have likened it to IBS and after reading up on it, I agree. So I'm here to learn how to get a handle on this.

I've worked with an acupuncturist for about 9 months with some success. He had me do a complete food cleanse last September/October and I noticed immediate results. I've been avoiding wheat, most dairy (when I do eat it I react), soy, corn, tomatoes, peanuts. I eat a lot of rice and veggies, rice pasta, almond milk, rice crackers, almond butter. Probably more fat than I should, though I've cut way way back on that.

My symptoms seem to be increasing again. I have many days of D and some days of C. The urgency I experience is compounded by the fact that I'm without the sphincter muscle that helps to control the flow -- so I suffer from a lot of anxiety, scoping out every bathroom that's within running distance everywhere I go, trying to arrange my social calendar so that I don't go out right after eating. Going to restaurants has become impossible -- I literally run to the bathroom within 20 minutes of eating a restaurant meal. There are days I make 20-30 trips to the bathroom. Sometimes it's very low volume but feels like it's huge.

So I'm wondering -- are there other colon cancer survivors on this board? I have to wonder about the trauma to my system being the cause or at least the impetus for this condition. I am willing to make some more changes if necessary to get a handle on this (even giving up my morning coffee and 1/2 and 1/2!!!). It really gets me down some days, having to spend so much time and energy worrying about my butt! I'm happy to find this forum to share ideas and to vent too! My partner is wonderful about it, but it's always good to have others who really know!

Thanks!

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