I tried to post this as a forum topic, but the site is not letting me post replies or new topics at this time.
Today, the GI committee of the FDA gave the "thumbs up" to Solesta, a series of 4 injections into the rectum that reduces the incidence of fecal incontinence (aka "pooping your pants") by 50% in clinical trials.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/GeneralGastroenterology/23708
Now, some docs "pooh-poohed" (groan) this as not a big deal; however, when I had my reversal, I would have been ecstatic with half as many accidents! And while my permanent colostomy was done for pain and irreversible radiation damage, I've read many a post on this site by colostomates trying to decide whether to try a reversal. It may be good news for ileostomates too, who agonize even more over whether they can handle a reversal. The clinical trial was done on 50-60-year-old "intact" women, so we'll have to see whether 1) the FDA takes the GI committee's advice and approves Solesta; and 2) whether it can be generalized to a larger population. Whatever happens, I still thought it was worthwhile to pass on. :)
I feel the need to comment.
This is the precise thing that the medical establishment wants you to grasp with regard to fixing your bowels. I will state for the record that if you have 10 accidents a day...and it's now 5 due to Solesta, your quality of life is still miserable. I feel that the goal is not just to poop out of your anus, but to have quality and good BMs is the goal......Once your rectum, anus, or colon has been injured due to illness that is both chronic and severe, hanging on to the hopes that a pill will fix it is pure nonsense and wishing upon a star, while the answer is right there in front of you and is a cure...The Ostomy. It's now time to get over the hang-ups and insecurities.....We still need to get over and change the stigmas which are so damn pervasive and will require a strong and loud voice of opposition to the drug companies that perpetuate the myths that a simple pill will change your rectum for the better so that your quality of life is intact. If the pill doesn't stop all accidents dead in its tracks and allows me to have great and quality bowel movements, then leave me alone. For the record, I never have accidents with my pouch, and all BMs are perfect. (As I don't even know a good from a bad as I am an ileostomate)
I am cured from UC, my chance of colon cancer is 0...Even if I could take Solesta, from where I now sit. NO THANKS
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In both of my cases, I had no choice. It was surgery or be put 6 feet under! I thank God that He has been with me all these times. Without Him, I never would have known what to do and might not have gone to the hospital when I did. I don't know if you have had your surgery or not yet but I hope you will hang out on this website when you are done. I have learned a great deal through the people here and it is so great having others who have had the same thing done and been through what you are about to or have gone through. The only thing I have turned down is a reversal of the ileostomy. When the doctors did the emergency rebuilding of my original ileostomy this last February, I told them I did not want to go through this again. My doctor told me at that time that I was no longer a candidate for the reversal. In a way, I was very relieved. The last three years of my life have been a nightmare for me. I do not want to go through any of it again. If you wish to be rehooked up and they say you are a good choice for that, research it carefully. Every surgery I have ever had except for Old and New Maxine and the emergency surgery on my broken foot, I have spent weeks researching. I recently had my C5 C6 disk in my neck replaced with an artificial one. I went to my pre-op with 2 pages of questions for the doctor. I knew everything that they were going to do and could talk intelligently with them. I always try to research my adversaries! Don't cancel your surgery. It is nice not to have to suffer any longer with horrible pain. We all had to change a few things around when we had our surgeries but in the long run, most of us are glad we did it. I know I am. Good luck to you!
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If I have learned one thing about
dr's They will attempt to cure you no matter what the process. I too am skeptical. Perhaps having a pouch you can deal with is really not so bad.
Blueiis
I have been wondering whether I should consider a reversal, but I was worried about just what you have indicated... lack of control. I have found more people who wish they hadn't had their colostomy reversed than those who are happy. If there is anyone out there who is happy with their reversal and is now living a normal life, please let me know.
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Oh my, do I feel the need to comment on beyondpar's statements to Pinky's blog information, and thank you, Pinky, for giving out that link! While I may agree with the points about pills fixing and curing illnesses, as we seem to be a society of quick fixes, I strongly DISAGREE with his conviction that an ostomy is any kind of cure in itself, unless you happen to be him and only suffer from UC! Actually, it angered me quite a bit to read this severely narrow-minded point of view from someone who has lived with IBD! Yes, he is very fortunate to have a CURE with his particular disease from all the torture IBD causes, like "non-normal bowel" movements. Then he must also realize there is an IBD called Crohn's disease. It is referred to by top gastroenterologists as the "Mama" of any bowel disease out there that is chronic in nature. Therefore, I can personally tell other ostomates the goal for Crohn's is to slow the track down as much as possible, whether the stool is liquid, oatmeal consistency, or otherwise. Hence why "diarrhea" is not, by definition in the world of IBD, what it looks like when you go, but how often you run for the bathroom! An ostomy for Crohn's patients is like another drug to help slow down and heal the track, as it comes with side effects of its own and does not CURE Crohn's disease. With or without an ostomy, I would more than welcome 5 painful movements vs. 10 any day of the week! This, in my view of the big picture, IS a better quality of life as everyone who suffers daily deserves! Now I would love to know his secret: how he has never had a blown bag????? Lucky, I guess...:)
Hello. I had my rectal cancer surgery in Boston back in March of this year. I am due for a reversal at the end of this year. I am more nervous about the takedown than I was about receiving the bag. I have to prep myself for the second surgery, just like I did for the first surgery.
Hi Two Buttz - I would encourage you to be less nervous about your take down...look how old these posts are (8 years!) - and even back then my take down was an easy surgery. I predict you will have a much easier time of things now with advances in technique. Much depends on how "regular" your BMs were prior to your cancer surgery. Also, don't be afraid to try "working out" that area, much like women do with Kegel exercises. I think you will do just fine!