LARS Q&A with Survivor Terry Elliott

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Low anterior resection syndrome (also known as LARS) is a collection of symptoms or issues patients have after undergoing an anastomosis of the colon low in the rectum. This is a type of surgery involving the resection or removal of part of, or the entire, rectum (last 6-8 inches of the large intestine with an anastomosis or “hook up” of the colon low in the rectum). Anastomosis means that the two remaining ends of the large intestine and the rectum are sewn or stapled back together.  After we first wrote about LARS we had such a large response from patients, we wanted to highlight some individuals who face LARS and some of the strategies that they've tried to manage it. If you'd like to contribute, please contact us.

Meet Terry Elliott

Terry is a stage III colorectal cancer survivor. He is currently 67 years old, retired (yet working part-time) and a proud husband and father of two from Ohio.

Terry's Story with LARS

My tumor was 4" from the opening of my rectum. I could actually touch it with my finger. The tumor was found during my 2nd colonoscopy and was diagnosed as stage III colorectal cancer. I begged the surgeon to save everything he could and he was successful! They removed my rectum, most of my descending colon, my sigmoid colon and 43 lymph nodes. My diagnosis came as a shock to me because I always exercised and was in good physical condition, which helped me during my recovery. I was only in the hospital for 3 days after my surgery and back on the treadmill in 5 days.

Read more: Exercise can help prepare you for surgery

I was not informed of any side effects of this surgery beforehand. And after finding out that LARS was a major side effect that I was experiencing, I was told there is no known cure/medication or help for the side effects that I was experiencing.
I refuse to believe there is no hope for us.
I have noticed improvements in my condition since last June. Some side effects that I was experiencing during my recovery are no longer issues. I still occasionally suffer from problems at work but always seem to make it through my shift. I am probably doing better than most and thankful the doctors were able to save my life. I realized certain things about my life had to change and I just needed to adjust to this "new normal."

Q&A with Terry

Q. When did your LARS symptoms begin? What were they?

A. I had an initial laparoscopic surgery on Feb. 21, 2014 with a temporary ileostomy. I had a reconnection on July 10, 2014 and my symptoms began after that. My symptoms were loose bowel movements, urgency, rectal pain/burning and general discomfort. Neuropathy from the chemo/radiation left me partially paralyzed from the waist down, so there was no advance or warning feeling on anything that was happening down there.

Q. How did you identify it was LARS?

A. Cleveland Clinic assigned me a 24/7 nurse. I was able to contact the nurse about any of my issues or questions. After a few weeks of struggling with my situation, I contacted her and she told me it was LARS. She sent me resources all about LARS. That was when I started my own research how to reduce some of my symptoms.

Q. What have you tried to make it better? What's worked/not worked?

A. Watching my diet, taking Metamucil, doing irrigation and exercising work for me. Probiotics, drugs, homeopathic remedies, baths, cremes and topical lotions do not.

Q. Any places you've found online that offer tips to help?

A. I searched "LARS" on the internet and there are a variety of helpful topics to choose from. (Check out this Facebook group for those living with LARS.)

Q. What is your advice for other patients?

A. I remember reading my first article about LARS and it stated recovery time could take 3-10 yrs after surgery. I thought "wow," that's a long time!
I have been in recovery for almost 4 years now and I have seen steady improvement.
The loose bowel movements have not gone away, but instead of a daily occurrence it is now once a month. Chocolate is to blame for these times. Pain and burning are still present but not as severe as in years past. Daily irrigation is the remedy for this. General discomfort continues but it is not a daily discomfort, maybe once or twice a week now. Exercise helped me with general discomfort. I walk daily, I am active outdoors and around my home. Sitting seems to aggravate the condition by slowing blood flow, so I keep moving when possible.

How to Irrigate

Irrigation also works for me. To irrigate use a saline solution out of a fleet enema bottle. Fill the bottle with warm (not hot) tap water and change bottles frequently. After movements, shoot the water into your colon and let gravity do its work. You may have to repeat depending on how clear the water is when it exits. Irrigation rinses out any fragments and fluids which tend to settle around your opening which cause burning and give you a sense of urgency. It will also help prevent leakage. I usually make a double layer of paper towels and line my underwear with it to blot anything that may drain out. My recovery is at 85% after 4 years and I am still cancer free. I go through cancer protocol every 6 months and my next screening is in May.
The key is patience. I did not have much hope in the beginning, but it is getting better.

Get More Patient Tips

If you're a colorectal cancer patient, get more advice and stories from individuals in our community. You can join our Inspire online cancer support community, and read survivor stories. Our resource library is also full of patient resources like mini magazines and videos highlighting tips from both medical experts and patients.

2 thoughts on “LARS Q&A with Survivor Terry Elliott

  1. Watching what I eat works mostly for me, no onion or peppers and no spices. Tried turkey sausage and it’s a no go also. Keep away from beef and consume mostly chicken.

  2. Thank you for sharing this… I was lucky. I was diagnosed with stage 1 rectal cancer 1 1/2 yrs ago at age 53 and had TEMS surgery. My other option was an LAR surgery. Although less aggressive of type of surgery, I have a few of the same post surgery symptoms as LARS. Urgency and occasional pain to name a few…but, I am not complaining. I have so far been very lucky and have a new way of appreciating the little things in life!

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