obstructions anyone?????

Moesimo
Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have just returned home from my 12 and 13 hospital admissions. I was discharged once and ended back in the hospital in less than 48 hours. It was good to sleep in my own bed last night.. I had been sick since 1/6 - my birthday. I had a small bowel obstruction that was slow to resolve. I have dodged the surgery bullet for now. I have had them in the past, but none for several years. The abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting was awful. I feel like I am whining, (I guess I am.) I know many on this site are dealing with alot worse. I feel like now I will always be waiting for the other shoe to drop and wonder when the next one will happen. I thought I had outgrown them, apparently I have not. Is there anyone that has had recurrent bowel obstructions?

Comments

  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    happy birthday!
    First of all, belated happy birthday! Unfortunately, it sounds like it was not a very happy one! I hope you never have another obstruction in your life -- and certainly never another one on your birthday!

    I only had one obstruction, and that was shortly after my initial surgery. I certainly remember the pain and discomfort vividly -- my deepest sympathies.

    Sorry I don't have much advise on recurrent obstructions. I am sure you have already tried to figure out if you have particular food triggers. Are medical personnel of any use regarding prevention??

    Thinking of you and sending all good wishes your way

    Tara
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    Moe -

    Re:
    "Is there anyone that has had recurrent bowel obstructions?"

    I've got an Illeostomy.

    I've had a partial obstruction since last September (maybe before that),
    and it's gotten much, much worse these past couple of months.

    I'm due for surgery in February, but I am in so much pain at the
    moment, I may just show up at the ER. I hate to do that, since
    the NG tube is NG....

    Blockages are usually caused by hernias and/or adhesions, and come
    naturally after any major abdominal surgery. My surgery was over
    four years ago, and I never had one problem until September...

    They say that an adhesion will grow, and it can take 3 or more years
    before it becomes a real problem. That would certainly fit my
    situation. And, an adhesions doesn't "go away" or fix itself; nothing
    short of surgery will suffice to remove the adhesion.

    And.... (if all that's not bad enough?) Any surgery to repair an
    adhesion (or hernias), will usually result in more adhesions
    (and/or hernias).

    The pain's incredible, isn't it? I try to explain the pain to my wife,
    that it's like being in labor 24/7 (I don't think she believes that, tho)

    My obstruction used to clear up after a day or two, and after drinking
    fluids heavily. This one now, isn't budging no matter what I try.

    So ya' got my sympathy! You should go to a good colorectal surgeon,
    and have some tests done. A CT of the abdomen, and a barium Xray
    is the usual fare for this. They might be able to tell what's putting a
    cramp in your style, and figure out if Laparoscopic surgery can fix it.

    I apparently have so damned many hernias and adhesions, that the
    surgeon is opting to re-open me completely, and attempt to repair
    everything he can find.

    Oh well.... "Cancer; the gift that keeps on taking"

    Think healthy, and get those tests.

    John
  • John23 said:

    Moe -

    Re:
    "Is there anyone that has had recurrent bowel obstructions?"

    I've got an Illeostomy.

    I've had a partial obstruction since last September (maybe before that),
    and it's gotten much, much worse these past couple of months.

    I'm due for surgery in February, but I am in so much pain at the
    moment, I may just show up at the ER. I hate to do that, since
    the NG tube is NG....

    Blockages are usually caused by hernias and/or adhesions, and come
    naturally after any major abdominal surgery. My surgery was over
    four years ago, and I never had one problem until September...

    They say that an adhesion will grow, and it can take 3 or more years
    before it becomes a real problem. That would certainly fit my
    situation. And, an adhesions doesn't "go away" or fix itself; nothing
    short of surgery will suffice to remove the adhesion.

    And.... (if all that's not bad enough?) Any surgery to repair an
    adhesion (or hernias), will usually result in more adhesions
    (and/or hernias).

    The pain's incredible, isn't it? I try to explain the pain to my wife,
    that it's like being in labor 24/7 (I don't think she believes that, tho)

    My obstruction used to clear up after a day or two, and after drinking
    fluids heavily. This one now, isn't budging no matter what I try.

    So ya' got my sympathy! You should go to a good colorectal surgeon,
    and have some tests done. A CT of the abdomen, and a barium Xray
    is the usual fare for this. They might be able to tell what's putting a
    cramp in your style, and figure out if Laparoscopic surgery can fix it.

    I apparently have so damned many hernias and adhesions, that the
    surgeon is opting to re-open me completely, and attempt to repair
    everything he can find.

    Oh well.... "Cancer; the gift that keeps on taking"

    Think healthy, and get those tests.

    John

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • drmrgirl47
    drmrgirl47 Member Posts: 129
    Bowel Obstructions
    Hi, I too have been plagued with those damn obstructions. I am 7 years NED and have had 2 resections for them and 11 hospitalizations with that awful NG tube. So far, I haven't had one in 6-7 months. Sometimes I can stay at home with them. I take pain killers and stop eating and try to wait it out. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I also live with the waiting for the other shoe to drop. When I am hospitalized and they discharge me, I get severe diarrhea for a day or so. I just dread them.
  • Lori-S
    Lori-S Member Posts: 1,277 Member
    Hey Moe
    Yes, it's true, you are not alone. I suffer with both a hernia and adhesions which cause obstructions if I'm not very very careful about what and how I eat. I have so far managed to stay out of the ER but, have seriously come close to going in for it. That NG tube is a serious consideration for not going and if I really work at it I manage to get through them. It really determines what I eat, how much and when. It's almost an obsession because the obstructions are so painful that I've learned to be vigilant. I wish I could outgrow them. I'm fortunate in that when I have my reversal I will have the hernia and adheshions taken care of at the same time. Of course there is no garantee that I won't get the same problem after surgery but, this time I am going to do my very best to baby myself after surgery to hopefully keep from getting another hernia. The adhesions though are outside my control.

    I wish you the best of luck with your obstructions. I know how painful they are.
  • Lori-S said:

    Hey Moe
    Yes, it's true, you are not alone. I suffer with both a hernia and adhesions which cause obstructions if I'm not very very careful about what and how I eat. I have so far managed to stay out of the ER but, have seriously come close to going in for it. That NG tube is a serious consideration for not going and if I really work at it I manage to get through them. It really determines what I eat, how much and when. It's almost an obsession because the obstructions are so painful that I've learned to be vigilant. I wish I could outgrow them. I'm fortunate in that when I have my reversal I will have the hernia and adheshions taken care of at the same time. Of course there is no garantee that I won't get the same problem after surgery but, this time I am going to do my very best to baby myself after surgery to hopefully keep from getting another hernia. The adhesions though are outside my control.

    I wish you the best of luck with your obstructions. I know how painful they are.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    John23 said:

    Moe -

    Re:
    "Is there anyone that has had recurrent bowel obstructions?"

    I've got an Illeostomy.

    I've had a partial obstruction since last September (maybe before that),
    and it's gotten much, much worse these past couple of months.

    I'm due for surgery in February, but I am in so much pain at the
    moment, I may just show up at the ER. I hate to do that, since
    the NG tube is NG....

    Blockages are usually caused by hernias and/or adhesions, and come
    naturally after any major abdominal surgery. My surgery was over
    four years ago, and I never had one problem until September...

    They say that an adhesion will grow, and it can take 3 or more years
    before it becomes a real problem. That would certainly fit my
    situation. And, an adhesions doesn't "go away" or fix itself; nothing
    short of surgery will suffice to remove the adhesion.

    And.... (if all that's not bad enough?) Any surgery to repair an
    adhesion (or hernias), will usually result in more adhesions
    (and/or hernias).

    The pain's incredible, isn't it? I try to explain the pain to my wife,
    that it's like being in labor 24/7 (I don't think she believes that, tho)

    My obstruction used to clear up after a day or two, and after drinking
    fluids heavily. This one now, isn't budging no matter what I try.

    So ya' got my sympathy! You should go to a good colorectal surgeon,
    and have some tests done. A CT of the abdomen, and a barium Xray
    is the usual fare for this. They might be able to tell what's putting a
    cramp in your style, and figure out if Laparoscopic surgery can fix it.

    I apparently have so damned many hernias and adhesions, that the
    surgeon is opting to re-open me completely, and attempt to repair
    everything he can find.

    Oh well.... "Cancer; the gift that keeps on taking"

    Think healthy, and get those tests.

    John

    John, sorry to hear about the pain
    I own shares in a company that sells slippery elm.

    Only joking. But I was recommended this by a top naturopath.

    Take a couple of tea spoons a day, it does what its name implies.

    Everything slips through your gut, is supposed to help diarrhea as well

    which was why I got onto it. I believe it prevents blockages.

    Taste WONDERFUL though.

    cheers,

    Pete
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    John23 said:

    Moe -

    Re:
    "Is there anyone that has had recurrent bowel obstructions?"

    I've got an Illeostomy.

    I've had a partial obstruction since last September (maybe before that),
    and it's gotten much, much worse these past couple of months.

    I'm due for surgery in February, but I am in so much pain at the
    moment, I may just show up at the ER. I hate to do that, since
    the NG tube is NG....

    Blockages are usually caused by hernias and/or adhesions, and come
    naturally after any major abdominal surgery. My surgery was over
    four years ago, and I never had one problem until September...

    They say that an adhesion will grow, and it can take 3 or more years
    before it becomes a real problem. That would certainly fit my
    situation. And, an adhesions doesn't "go away" or fix itself; nothing
    short of surgery will suffice to remove the adhesion.

    And.... (if all that's not bad enough?) Any surgery to repair an
    adhesion (or hernias), will usually result in more adhesions
    (and/or hernias).

    The pain's incredible, isn't it? I try to explain the pain to my wife,
    that it's like being in labor 24/7 (I don't think she believes that, tho)

    My obstruction used to clear up after a day or two, and after drinking
    fluids heavily. This one now, isn't budging no matter what I try.

    So ya' got my sympathy! You should go to a good colorectal surgeon,
    and have some tests done. A CT of the abdomen, and a barium Xray
    is the usual fare for this. They might be able to tell what's putting a
    cramp in your style, and figure out if Laparoscopic surgery can fix it.

    I apparently have so damned many hernias and adhesions, that the
    surgeon is opting to re-open me completely, and attempt to repair
    everything he can find.

    Oh well.... "Cancer; the gift that keeps on taking"

    Think healthy, and get those tests.

    John

    John, sorry to hear about the pain
    I own shares in a company that sells slippery elm.

    Only joking. But I was recommended this by a top naturopath.

    Take a couple of tea spoons a day, it does what its name implies.

    Everything slips through your gut, is supposed to help diarrhea as well

    which was why I got onto it. I believe it prevents blockages.

    Taste WONDERFUL though.

    cheers,

    Pete
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member

    John, sorry to hear about the pain
    I own shares in a company that sells slippery elm.

    Only joking. But I was recommended this by a top naturopath.

    Take a couple of tea spoons a day, it does what its name implies.

    Everything slips through your gut, is supposed to help diarrhea as well

    which was why I got onto it. I believe it prevents blockages.

    Taste WONDERFUL though.

    cheers,

    Pete

    Pete -

    I thought you were my friend?

    ----
    Precautions
    Slippery elm is generally considered safe and no known dangers
    have been reported.

    However, since this herb is highly mucilaginous and considered a
    soluble fiber, it may interfere with the absorption of certain medications.

    To prevent this possible unwanted side effect, take slippery elm
    bark away from any prescribed medications.

    This herb also has a bulking quality, therefore take it with plenty of liquid.

    Furthermore, avoid taking slippery elm if you have intestinal blockage
    or bowel obstruction.


    Read more:http://www.livestrong.com/article/196328-slippery-elm-heartburn/
    ----

    Haha... Thanks for the thought Pete, I know it was in the best of
    kindness intended. Sometimes, and obstruction is only an obstruction.

    There are some formulas with it for cancer, though:
    chi yu 赤榆 slippery elm

    Always interesting; always something to learn!

    Thanks again Pete,

    John
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    John23 said:

    Pete -

    I thought you were my friend?

    ----
    Precautions
    Slippery elm is generally considered safe and no known dangers
    have been reported.

    However, since this herb is highly mucilaginous and considered a
    soluble fiber, it may interfere with the absorption of certain medications.

    To prevent this possible unwanted side effect, take slippery elm
    bark away from any prescribed medications.

    This herb also has a bulking quality, therefore take it with plenty of liquid.

    Furthermore, avoid taking slippery elm if you have intestinal blockage
    or bowel obstruction.


    Read more:http://www.livestrong.com/article/196328-slippery-elm-heartburn/
    ----

    Haha... Thanks for the thought Pete, I know it was in the best of
    kindness intended. Sometimes, and obstruction is only an obstruction.

    There are some formulas with it for cancer, though:
    chi yu 赤榆 slippery elm

    Always interesting; always something to learn!

    Thanks again Pete,

    John

    I am
    Hi John,

    That Dam tricky slippery elm.
    Always something to learn.
    Keeps the nights exciting.
    I am very glad you are so good at research.
    The links are great and I have learned more, thanks.

    Even a simple herbal suppliment is complex as it turns out.
    No wonder the Onc don't to involved in the alternatives.

    For me it was recommended primarily to aide with digestion and recover from diarrhea.
    My instructions were drink half an hour before meals followed with another glass of water.

    My surgoens warned me about blockages so after drinking this unpleasant slip drink
    I believed it must help food slip and slide from a digestive system. Its really , really
    slippery.

    And tastes blooody terrible.

    So I hoped it would a minimise diarrhea and assumed it would help with blockages.

    I guess its bulking character must be the worry with blockages.

    One question is though,

    Do you think it would help prevent blockages ?

    your friend,
    Pete
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member

    I am
    Hi John,

    That Dam tricky slippery elm.
    Always something to learn.
    Keeps the nights exciting.
    I am very glad you are so good at research.
    The links are great and I have learned more, thanks.

    Even a simple herbal suppliment is complex as it turns out.
    No wonder the Onc don't to involved in the alternatives.

    For me it was recommended primarily to aide with digestion and recover from diarrhea.
    My instructions were drink half an hour before meals followed with another glass of water.

    My surgoens warned me about blockages so after drinking this unpleasant slip drink
    I believed it must help food slip and slide from a digestive system. Its really , really
    slippery.

    And tastes blooody terrible.

    So I hoped it would a minimise diarrhea and assumed it would help with blockages.

    I guess its bulking character must be the worry with blockages.

    One question is though,

    Do you think it would help prevent blockages ?

    your friend,
    Pete

    Pete -

    Re:
    "Do you think it would help prevent blockages ? "

    Blockages are generally as a result of adhesions or a hernias,
    so the answer would be no, not in my case.

    I don't know why anyone that hadn't been subjected to abdominal
    surgery would have an obstruction..? So drinking that stuff to
    prevent what usually doesn't happen, seems a bit silly, ehh?

    Since it's "bulk", I would think it'd be ok for diarrhea, while using it
    if your constipated would make it worse, right? It kinda' makes sense?

    Fiber is bulk. An Ileostomate and fiber/bulk will never get
    along too well. We Ileos do not need fiber. We don't have
    a colon to try to scrub clean with a fiber Brillo Pad. And fiber
    only causes us needless suffering..... I had to quit whole grain
    foods, because I get sick from them, and most Ileos are the
    same way.

    Oh well.... life goes on...

    Thanks Pete!

    John
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    taraHK said:

    happy birthday!
    First of all, belated happy birthday! Unfortunately, it sounds like it was not a very happy one! I hope you never have another obstruction in your life -- and certainly never another one on your birthday!

    I only had one obstruction, and that was shortly after my initial surgery. I certainly remember the pain and discomfort vividly -- my deepest sympathies.

    Sorry I don't have much advise on recurrent obstructions. I am sure you have already tried to figure out if you have particular food triggers. Are medical personnel of any use regarding prevention??

    Thinking of you and sending all good wishes your way

    Tara

    Tara,
    Thank you for your

    Tara,

    Thank you for your kind words. I am feeling much better and will return to work on Monday. I hope your tolerating your treatment.
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    Thanks
    Thank you all for all your responses. I am feeling much better and hope to NEVER have another bowel obstruction again. It was not fun. I am going back to work on Monday. I saw my surgeon yesterday and can begin to increase my diet, I have been on a low residue since the obstruction.

    We had more snow last night---about another foot. Way too much. Spring can't come soon enough.
  • KFalvey
    KFalvey Member Posts: 118 Member
    Recurrent Bowel obstructions
    Hi Moe,

    Yes I have had many, most while undergoing chemo. I was hospitalized twice, sedated and checked until they passed on their own. My doctor told me to not eat mushrooms...he has done surgery to clear blockages twice from mushrooms on pizza's. They don't digest very well and people don't chew them enough. He also told me not to eat popcorn. Twice my blockages were from eating too many raw vegetables (cauliflower and carrots). I did have surgery once and developed a blockage 5 days later in the small intestines. It was from adhesions forming after the surgery grabbing a Meckels Diverticulum ( a pouch in the small intestines-sort of like an appendex-which forms in the fetus; my surgeon saw it during the surgery and left it alone. He said they usually only give you problems in the first 2 years of life, only 2% of people are born with them and only 2% have problems with them. Since I was in my 50's and never had a problem-he just left it alone. I have had others start but passed on their own at home-Thank God!!! I keep hoping I will outgrow them but they recur just when I think their gone for good. I know how painful they are but try walking as much as possible when they first start-kind of hard to do if you are throwing up. I have walked a few away. Best of Luck avoiding them.
    Kandy
  • nhw4life
    nhw4life Member Posts: 1 *

    I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease when I was 16 now 48 and my first surgery was perforated bowel. I have had 6 bowl removals, almost 1 every 3-4 years. With maybe 50 bowel obstructions. I have short bowel syndrome from the result of too many surgeries. Now my structures are bad and require a 7th surgery but I need a surgeon that is good because at the point my quality of life can be completely ruined. Anyone one out there like me? Also, I’ve bin on almost on every biologic and nothing keeps the disease away. I manage my symptoms now with a mixture of herbs but nothing stops the bowel obstruction and they come without warning. Although I don’t have pain only when having obstruction, I do spend most of my time in the bathroom. The only good thing about it all is I don’t look like what I bin through.

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member

    hello nhw4life:

    I was diagnosed with Uterine Cancer in 2005 (age 45) and had two recurrences. After one of the recurrences they removed a part of my large intestine and rectum and a part of my small intestine and gave me an ileostomy. I then had the ileostomy reversed. Since my last recurrence surgery, I have been going to the stomach pains, then vomiting and then diarrhea about every 4-6 weeks. I was put on a low residue diet which means no healthy foods like lettuce, fresh fruit or vegetables. So then I gained weight and started having the small bowel obstructions again. I then had surgery last February to remove scar tissue. At that time they removed another section of my small intestines. My intestines are narrow in many places. Recently in April my PCP decided we should try no dairy. That was a big deal. I lost all of the inflammation in my stomach (besides losing weight). Since it was working, I decided to start to add some fiber foods. Boy is it a hit and miss. I had a diverticulosis attack last month and just last night I had the stomach pains then vomiting and then diarrhea. I was eating too many vegetables even though they were cooked. It is annoying as heck! On top of that I have both fecal and urine incontinence. Geesh! I just turned 63 this year. I am in pelvic therapy now trying to help the incontinance. It was working until I started to lose weight.

    I have had other abdominal surgeries (3 c-sections), a ureter bypass surgery, gallbladder surgery, etc. so my scarring is really bad. I only had brachytherapy radiation and I am glad that I didn't have pelvic radiation due to how much I scar.

    Hang in there! My best to you.

    Kaleena