Concerned Re Results

[sad old git]

Hi All almost six weeks ago I had a colon operation to remove two polyps and part of my colon.All apparently went well and the surgeon was pleased with outcome.As the time has gone by the pain and discomfort have almost disappeared and I have been feeling reasonably well until about a week ago when I developed a heavy chesty cough and a general feeling of being unwell, lack of energy,slight breathlesness after walking short distances,a sort of "headiness?" and aching joints.Some of my friends say this is still down to post op reaction.I don't want to bother my rectal/colon nurse or my GP in case it is just a bug or me being an old git with bits wearing out. Therefore my friends any advice would be greatly appreciated. S.O.G.

[Cloverjo]

You've had a big operation. That will knock the stuffing out of you for a while. Don't worry too much, but mention it next time you see a doctor or nurse.

[Mamyalynne]

If it doesn't pass soon , see the GP - maybe just a low grade virus that will pass.

But if in doubt get checked out, better than worrying.

[1ozzy]

GP's are there to help. Get checked out if only for peace of mind.

All the best SOG, hope you are feeling better soon.

[Sqad]

It isn't post op reaction.

My only concern here is if it is a pulmonary embolism (clot in the lung), but in the absence of either a swollen leg or chest pain in your post I think that it is unlikely.

It may well be a chest infection purely and simply so, take Ibuprofen for the next 48 hours, however, if you situation gets worse or you develop chest pain and/or a swollen leg, then go to A&E.

[sad old git]

thank you all for your replies. Today I am feeling so much better, the cough has not been so bad and I generally feel a bit better.As you say Sqad it may just be a chest infection so I'll give the Ibuprofen a go and see if it helps.Incidentally I am taking clopidogrel tablets plus atenolol and amlodipine tabs so I thought they would rule out blood clots?,I don't have any chest pain just a bit of breathlesness which clears if I rest up for a moment or two and no signs of swollen legs. To finish my GP has put me back on statins which the hospital pharmacist took me off because he said they were not doing me any good ( liver?) so I'm a bit confused about who knows what?. Thank you all again for your help, it makes me feel good to know that you are all out there. S.O.G.

[sad old git]

Hello again all. Since I last talked to you all things have not really improved so I went to see my GP again, there are six of them and I seem to get a different one each time. However the one I saw listened to what I had to say re shortness of breath, no energy, unable to walk far etc and his first words were "well you are nearly 80 and have had a big operation." I fully accept that fact but I told him I thought things might have improved a little by now.He looked at my record and said I appeared to be slightly anaemic and so he has put me on a course of iron tablets.That was ten days ago and so far I haven't noticed any difference except for black stools. Friends have told me that these tablets can take a while to "kick in" but how long does it take? Any help please.S.O.G.

[Mamyalynne]

Hi SOG, nice of the Doctor to remind you of your age - did he think you'd forgotten :-)

But still, Iron should start to work quite soon but you won't always see the benefits quickly as each person will take a differing length of time based on how anaemic they were.

If feeling no better go back for another chat, take care.x

[gness]

Hi, SOG......you may be nearly eighty and have had a big operation but I feel this is going on too long......time to insist on proper investigation...well that's what I'd do......Gx

[1ozzy]

Iron supplements, usually given in the form of ferrous sulfate, will start to take effect within the first week. However, the length of time it takes for your body to completely replenish your depleted iron stores will depend on how severe your anemia was to begin with, how long you've been anemic, how well your body is able to absorb the iron in the supplements and how good you are at remembering to take them.

According to the Three Rivers Endoscopy center in Pennsylvania’s website GIHealth.com, anemia usually goes away within eight weeks of supplementation, but you may need to keep taking the supplements for six months or more so that your body can rebuild its reserves of iron to prevent you from having another bout of anemia.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/446951-how-long-before-iron-supplements-take-effect/

Hope things pick up for you Sog.
Take care.

[Sqad]

"Slightly anaemic"....."it's your age"........medical euphemisms for ..." No idea"....;-)
Iron tablets, slightly anaemic........may well take months....years before you feel any benefit.

Like it or not........you ARE 80 yrs old.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Cloverjo]

I stand by my first answer. It's only a few weeks since your op. I really don't think you can expect to be feeling ok by now. Having seen my parents come through big ops like yours (at a reasonably similar age), I'm not surprised by how you are feeling. Look after yourself. You will get there, but it takes a lot more time than you'd think.

[Bathsheba]

SOG...so sorry to read this, but what stood out for me immediately was the fact that the hospital took you off statins, and they should have sent a revised list of your medication to your surgery as soon as you were discharged, Your GP is an *** for ignoring it and putting you back on statins.
I would go back to your GP.
Feel better soon,

Baths
x x x

[murraymints]

hope you start to feel better very soon xx

[sad old git]

Thank you all for your help. Greatly appreciated. S.O.G.