Pain!

mp327 said:

Lorikat

Your symptoms could be caused by a blockage, perhaps a partial one.  When I had the obstruction, I had the strangest pain, one I'd never had before, underneath my rib cage on the right.  I eventually vomited and felt better, but only temporarily.  Obstructions can be very serious, so if you continue to be in misery, I would definitely go to the ER.  I hope it's nothing serious, but you may not know what's causing it unless you get it checked out.  Please keep us posted!

Hope your pain soon resolves & that it is nothing serious. Take note of Martha's advice & have someone check you out. Having had pelvic radiation make us  all vulnerable to obstruction so better to be safe.

Liz

Lorikat said:

Just what I did!  Went to

Just what I did!  Went to liquids and took senecot...  has eased up some...  Kinda like a dam breaking, (not a lot of fecal matter and what was there was thin) thought it was going to die!  I was white and sweaty and nearly passed out!  I feel better now but keeping diet soft.  Heading to Houston Tuesday  and will check with the Docs there. Thanks for the replys!  

I wanted to pass on one tip that was given to me by a friend who is a doctor regarding possible obstructions.  Lie on your right side if you experience pain that might be caused by a blockage.  This prevents stomach contents from moving into the intestines where the possible blockage might be, or at least will slow things down.  Going on a soft/liquid diet can help prevent obstructions and help to rest the bowels.  The pains come on during peristalsis, which is the contractions in your intestines as they are trying to move food through.  If your pain comes and goes, you may have a partial obstruction like I did.  I hope you get some answers from the docs in Houston.

Marynb said:

Partial obstruction
Martha, does a partial obstruction resolve itself?

Based on my own experience, I would say that it's quite possible.  My most severe episodes were the one just two days prior to going to the ER, then the one that put me in the hospital.  Those, by far have been the worst.  What was done for me in the ER was an IV with pain medication, anti-spasmodic to stop the intestinal contractions and Zofran for nausea.  After they admitted me, I was given bag after bag of fluids and NO food.  This allowed my bowels to rest.  All that said, I have had less severe episodes since and have not gone to the ER.  The pain and what I believe is a partial blockage whenever I experience this has always resolved on its own.  I find that a couple of things help.  1)  Lying on the floor on my back and stretching as much as I can; 2) Lying on my right side to prevent the stomach contents from trying to move into the intestines.  However, I would never advise anyone to wait it out if they have severe pain, accompanied by vomiting and lack of BM's.  Blockages can cause ruptures, which require emergency surgery.