Another ostomy question

JanJan63

I managed to avoid what felt like a blockage that was starting a few days ago. I had all the signs but instead of just drinking lots to try to flush it out I chose to eat things that were harder to try to push it out. It went away but according to the internet this is not an advisable way to deal with it. Anyway, it got me thinking that maybe I should consider the ostomy reversal because this one was rather soon after the last one and that bothers me. I don't need to be missing work every month or two because of a blockage.

Then I realized that it's not the ostomy, is it? It's the surgeries we've had that make us prone to them. The surgery and the adhesions that come along with that. Do all of us get blockages or partial blockages? Am I right? The reversal would likely result in more adhesions, too.

Jan 

Lovekitties

Blockages

Blockages can result from adhesions and/or what you eat and drink.

If from adhesions, you need to discuss with your surgeon.  Adhesions can cause other issues.

If the blockages relate to what and how you eat or what you drink, then you can have some measure of control.  You should realy chew your food well so that small pieces enter the system rather than larger.  You should avoid any type of diuretic, especially those in caffinated drinks.  You should avoid breads and crackers as they tend to clump.

When I say "avoid" I don't mean you have to give them up all together.  Perhaps you are indulging more than you think on any given day or days.

Perhaps smaller meals more often would be of benifit.

Since you seem to be having issues close together, perhaps it would help to keep a food diary, so you can pinpoint what might be the cause.

I definately don't recommend the "eat things that were harder to try to push it out".  That could get you into real trouble, adding to the blockage rather than getting rid of it.

Watching the output and changing your eating/drinking habits accordingly can help to prevent issues making it necessary for you to miss work.  Mild exercise can also help to keep things moving.

The means with which the stool leaves the body should not be the cause of your issues, unless there is some issue with the ostomy itself.

Marie who loves kitties

 

kristasplace

Hmmm...

I wonder if you have a stricture somewhere? Was your surgery higher up in the bowel?

I get blockages from a low-lying anastomotic stricture all the time, and the only thing I can do to move things through, is to have bulky solids to push through it. Anything too soft, fibrous, or liquidy at all will not pass through it on its own.

Somehow they missed knowing about the stricture before they did the takedown. They didn't find it until I was anesthesized and on the operating table. Imagine my disappointment when I awoke! The first thing I did was feel for the bag, and there it still was! lol. The surgeon said she couldn't do the reversal until I was dilated to a certain mm (20, if I remember right), which took several trips to the GI to accomplish.

After the takedown I continually needed dilations that I finally decided weren't going to cure the problem. It just kept going back to it's usual, narrow self within a few days of the procedure. I've learned to live with it as it is.

If there's any way they can check you for strictures, it would be a very useful thing for you to know before you go ahead with a takedown.

Hugs!

Krista

JanJan63

Thanks Marie! I always start

Thanks Marie! I always start chewing everything well for the first while after a partial blockage and then start to forget. I'm happy to report that I haven't had a full blockage yet and I hope things stay that way. My last one was from eating celery. The strings got themselves into a little knot that popped out about a week later. I know we aren't supposed to eat as many fruits and veggies as we used to and my surgeon told me a common cause of blockages is oranges when people don't chew the membrane part well enough.

Krista, stricture and takedown. I'm not familiar with either term. I'll google both. My resection was very low and close to the rectum.

Thanks for the help, both of you!

Jan  

kristasplace

Anastomotic stricture

It's scar tissue that forms around the colon at the surgery site narrowing it.

Takedown is what they call an ostomy reversal.

Your tumor was right where mine was; at the colon/rectal junction.

Hugs!

Krista