blockage

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jerseysue
jerseysue Member Posts: 624 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I just got out of the hospital with another painful blockage. The blockage clears up after a day or so on its own. During these days morphin is my very best friend. They tell me it's nothing to do with what I eat but it's because of scar tissue. Any advice out there on not getting these things?

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  • WendyMarie
    WendyMarie Member Posts: 48
    #2
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    Oh boy! Do I know what you are talking about! On those occasions even morphine doesn't offer much relief. My surgeon said it is probably scar tissue but hasn't offered me any solutions. I see him next week. I'm with you, any advice would be appreciated!!!

    Wendy
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #3
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    While scar tissue is likely involved diet can be a factor. It is wise to avoid eating high-residue foods and poorly or nondigestible foods (nuts, popcorn, etc.). The more bulk there is, the more difficulty getting through the narrow bends and passages.
    Hope that helps, there are others who can probably tell you alot more details on diet.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #4
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    Having just racked up number 5, I have found that I can clear them with ALOT of water and walking, walking, walking....
    The one time I was hospitalized, that is what they had me do for 4 days...on top of an NG tube and NPO (nothing by mouth). This was the first one, and the only one that has required surgery...my small intestine was obviously feeling left out after 'big brother' colon got all of the attention!
    Time will also help....even tho I still get them, they are ALOT more manageable...
    The other thing I do (sorry to the guys out there) is do my Lamaze stuff....breathe thru the small ones, and then bear down....
    As I feel it tapering off, to bed I go and sleep, sleep, sleep.
    Sorry you join the select club of less than 5%...bowel obstructions after surgery...
    BUT, my surgical GI guy says that they like to wait and see if they clear on their own...surgery can, of course, cause more....
    Hugs, Kathi
    P.S. My doc said that if they last more than 8 hours, you need to be checked by a doctor...bowel death is awful....
  • livin
    livin Member Posts: 318 Member
    #5
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    Hi Sue I know how you feel. I had a intestional blockage ( that ended up being a stricture) for one month and thought I was going to die. This blockage was worst than kidney stones passing. I lost approx. 30 pounds waiting to see if it unblock its self. It didn't doctor did dialation of my intestine and boy did I feel good again. During the blockage pharse I lived on Dilaudid(sp) My blockage came from get this, radiation damaged. I had radiation for colon cancer get this-2 years prior. My blockage waited 2 whole years to occur from radiation. If I hadn't went thru it , I probably would not have believed it. I hope things get better for you. Livin
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #6
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    Hi Sue,

    I am so sorry to hear that you were in the hospital with a blockage. I had two of them and was hospitalized about five days with each. They did resolved, with the help of a NG tube, on their own. My surgeon said if I get another, I would have to have surgery. I am taking Miralax to keep my stool a little loose so it can pass by the scar tissue. I will have a colonoscopy on Wednesday to see what is going on. My stools are pencil thin so I know so I know I have a problem somewhere....not sure if it's in the colon or small intestines. Please feel free to email me for further discussions.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #7
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    Kanort said:

    Hi Sue,

    I am so sorry to hear that you were in the hospital with a blockage. I had two of them and was hospitalized about five days with each. They did resolved, with the help of a NG tube, on their own. My surgeon said if I get another, I would have to have surgery. I am taking Miralax to keep my stool a little loose so it can pass by the scar tissue. I will have a colonoscopy on Wednesday to see what is going on. My stools are pencil thin so I know so I know I have a problem somewhere....not sure if it's in the colon or small intestines. Please feel free to email me for further discussions.

    Hugs,

    Kay

    Hi Sue, sorry to hear that you have had a bad time of late. Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you.
    Kay.....same to you gal....we hope that all goes well with your colonoscopy.
    huggs, Ross n Jen

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