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Chronic small bowel obstruction from adhesions

Digestive Health | Last Active: Feb 12, 2023 | Replies (212)

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@nancybev

@marciakeren , I totally get the "Yadda yadda" thing--I've found it so frustrating that I've never found a single doctor who can offer any useful advice or information.
At this point, I don't think anyone has discovered a way to keep them from happening, and it's therefore an issue of damage control (especially if you're now having them so often--I'm sorry about that!). You may want to consider doing what I've been doing--sticking as much as possible to really healthy smoothies (I've posted some recipes somewhere in here), juices, and soups. For now, I'm just going to repost something I wrote recently, to another member here, to make it easier for you to read. I hope it helps:

"For myself lately, though, I TRY to imagine that everything I eat will need to pass as quickly as possible through a tube the size of a straw or smaller, as quickly as possible, and yet still be nutritious.
Obviously, if I get caught with an actual obstruction and food behind it in my digestive tract, I'm probably in trouble. But by at least reducing the chances of something big getting stuck, I feel a lot less anxious–and because of this new strategy–I think–I was able to make it through my last obstruction without going to the ER (although in general one should probably go, to be safest), and vomiting only once instead of 5-15 times!
I've also started to stretch and move around/take walks after each meal, especially reaching upwards over my head, arching back, and moving side-to-side. It just seems that this MIGHT have a chance of "ungluing" adhesions when they start to stick together. I'm not sure about that, but it's worth trying (and stretching feels good anyway)!
I also chew everything–even juices–like crazy to get the digestive process going."
That last part about stretching is just a guess based on visualizing the adhesions starting to stick together again for whatever reason--it just seems like moving and stretching might encourage them to open up again. I'll try anything that makes sense!

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Replies to "@marciakeren , I totally get the "Yadda yadda" thing--I've found it so frustrating that I've never..."

The last blockage I had was in December while in the hospital, while they were getting the diverticulitis infection under control and seeing if the sigmoid stricture would open up more. I can't say for certain where it occurred, if it was just backing all the way up from the stricture, or someplace in my small intestine, but it was real obvious to me that I had the dreaded NG tube in my immediate future! Started feeling nauseous, burping, then vomiting up that delightful green bile. They did the X-ray with contrast and within the hour the surgeon was walking in my room. I knew exactly what he was going to say. Sometimes I don't think they can exactly pinpoint where you are blocked, although it is probably obvious sometimes. I made them give me a dose anti anxiety med beforehand because the last time I had to have one it was a horrible experience. They tried 11 times in the hospital room (I was NOT at Mayo), before they sent me to radiology to get it done. The floor nurse at Mayo came in and they got it done the first time out. As horrible as it is, it does work and then also caused the back end to start working as well and I was able to go home over the holidays and wait for surgery.
As well as things are going now, I am with you as being nervous about traveling, especially out of the country! Which is a bummer, because one of my daughters works for an airline and we get her flight benefits. Starting with a short anniversary trip in May and as long as things go ok, maybe I will get braver!
I hope you get some answers and the blockages are few and far between!