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Chronic small bowel obstruction from adhesions
Digestive Health | Last Active: Feb 12, 2023 | Replies (212)Comment receiving replies
I have been having bowel obstructions for almost 4 years. No one could tell me what was going on. I was getting them almost monthly. Worst pain I've ever gone through. At one point I lost 17 lbs. In October 2015 I finally ended up in the emergency room. This is when they finally found the small intestinal obstruction. The thought is that they are caused by abdominal radiation I got back in 2003-2004 for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
I sometimes go 3-4 months without an attack, but that is rare. They are part of my life.
The surgeon told me that if I end up back in the hospital, it's NG tube again. If NG doesn't work its emergency surgery.
The problem with surgery is that there is a 60% chance of it creating more adhesions, hence I'd be worse off.
I try to each low fiber even though I am a vegetarian. I cook my veggies. I don't eat any raw. No corn. I peel fruit like apples. Honestly, I feel I never know what helps and what doesn't. It's beyond frustrating and not an easy way to live. I've gotten attacks on vacation (totally bedridden in Paris!). I am in horrible pain for 24-48 hours. Then I'm sick for 4-5 more days. I feel for everyone battling this.
Replies to "I have been having bowel obstructions for almost 4 years. No one could tell me what..."
I@lorie I too have adhesions from past surgeries but also have IBS irritable bowel syndrome, and Colitis. Gone through the attacks since age 35. Now at 84, I am experiencing what they call Leaky Gut. I am very worried at this point.
Same issues here. My question adhesions are incredibly painful. The attacks last a long time for me. Dr says go liquid but also states narcotic pain meds worsen this condition? Ive been hospitalized and given morphine drip. Everything I eat seems to hurt my tummy. How do we manage pain when it’s severe?
My wife Lynn had open abdominal surgery at Mayo in 2015 and 2016. In May 2018 she began having partial SBO's. As of September 2022, she has experienced 25+ SBO's which keep her in bed for 2 days (sleeping) and NPO. She goes into the local hospital outpatient for IV fluids for 3-5 days. It takes another 4-5 days to generally get back to normal. We've met with three dietitians (one at Mayo), two gastroenterologists (one at Mayo) and have tried removing stress, breathing, etc. They occur (on average) every two months or so and come on like a light bulb. We really can't travel anymore (especially outside of the U.S.) My wife is having lysis surgery at Mayo on Oct 3 to try and get some relief. I also should mention that Lynn has been scanned three times over 4 years during an SBO. After examining the scans the surgeon said that while there isn't a 'smoking gun', the issue may be mutifocal and mutifactorial - multiple issues in multiple areas. It will be full open surgery. While she is doing lysis, she will palpate my wifes entire small bowel for any neuroendocrine tumors that may not have been revealed on scan.
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I have them at least twice a month . Any advice would be so welcomed. My history is stage 3 rectal cancer diagnosis in 7/13. Radiation and oral chemo therapy. Followed by surgery ( incision from pelvic area to belly button) left with an a bag for 6 months. I also started four months of regular chemo therapy after healing from surgery. Reversal surgery in 6/14. Partial blockages started occurring. Lysis of adhesions surgery in 2/17. I am now worse than I was before surgery. I hate it. I have also had one c section, hysterectomy and my gallbladder removed laparoscopically .