Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery

Posted by Sandi @idnas, Mar 20, 2015

I just joined this site and am looking to see if anyone talks about bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery. I had successful sugery for colon cancer in 2008. About 6-months later I was hospitalized for 5 days with a bowel obstruction (that did resolve without further surgery). It took several months for my system to get back to "proper working order," but it did and for the past 5-years everything worked normally. Then, out of the blue, I had another bowel obstruction 2-months ago. I was hospitalized for 6-days, but again, no surgery. At this point I can only have bowel movements by taking Miralax and then I have diarrhea. I'm trying to eat a normal diet, just smaller amounts at a time and more frequently. I'm paranoid about another bowel obstruction, and also that my guy will not get back to normal. Has anyone had experience with this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

dc10 | @dc10 | Apr 4, 2019

In reply to @ginpene05 "I have an update. Since my last obstruction I have been diagnosed with Small Bowel Cancer...." + (show)

I’ve had 6 small bowel obstructions with no explanations other than I have a thickening in a portion of my small bowel which they think causes them. I am scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks for a probable resection. Since I’ve had CT scans, colonoscopies, the pill camera, and endoscopes I’m wondering if cancer was still missed. Do you mind sharing if that was the case with you? Thank you

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 4, 2019

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Hello @dc10,

I realize that you were addressing another Member with your post, however, I noticed that you had previously mentioned seeing a doctor at Cleveland Clinic. Is that where you will have the surgery?

dc10 | @dc10 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Yes, I’m having the surgery at Cleveland Clinic.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

@dc10
I trust that all will go well for you. I had surgery there about 4 years ago. I live about 300 miles from Cleveland, but I feel it was worth the drive.

Would you be comfortable sharing the date of your surgery?

bentley33 | @bentley33 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @donsbo "Chronic SBO's resulting from surgery induced adhesions are a terrible thing to deal with. Clear Passage..." + (show)

I’ve been dealing with adhesions my entire life and hospitalized to many times to count with obstructions and blockages. GI doctor does not want to go surgery and neither do I. But this last “episode” has been going on for months. I’ve been reading about Clear Passage and wondering if it would help. I don’t live near one so I want to make sure it’s a good place. I know there is no guarantees, but I can’t take much more of this. I can barely take my son to school. I feel awful for everyone who goes through this but it’s also nice to know I’m not alone and it not in my head(what lazy doctors like to say)
I’m sorry you had to have another surgery. I absolutely refuse unless it’s life or death, so I need a plan B.

dc10 | @dc10 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @bentley33 "I’ve been dealing with adhesions my entire life and hospitalized to many times to count with..." + (show)

In my case they were able to pinpoint on the CT scan where my obstructions are taking place. They say that there is a thickening in my small bowel but don’t know the cause. So, at this point, I feel comfortable having an amazing surgeon with tons of experience taking that part out. Then it will be analyzed and hopefully, I’ll know the cause.

dc10 | @dc10 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @dc10 "In my case they were able to pinpoint on the CT scan where my obstructions are..." + (show)

Also, one of the other members on this site said that if it was helpful to message adhesions away then all the doctors would be doing it. I tend to agree

nancybev | @nancybev | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @bentley33 "I’ve been dealing with adhesions my entire life and hospitalized to many times to count with..." + (show)

@bentley33 , you sound so much like me, except that my episodes are acute (short and very severe) as opposed to chronic. Either way, it sucks!
I've said this several times here, but I'll repeat it--think very carefully before you spend large sums of money on Clear Passage. I have seen ZERO credible evidence that it helps (if I thought it did I would do it in a heartbeat!).
Any "studies" I've found in medical "journals" have been co-authored by the owners of Clear Passage--not exactly objective! And I assume that real GI doctors would be recommending it (and insurance would probably cover it) if it really worked.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but the whole thing seems like a money-making venture that tries to prey on desperate people like us. And they've made sure that they pop up first on almost any kind of internet search regarding obstructions!

marciakeren | @marciakeren | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Joining this discussion on the late side. To all my fellow SBO sufferers, I send my best. I have chronicled my SBO attacks elsewhere on this blog - in this thread or another one (forget at this point!).. I have tried a couple of more "new age" type "cures" - like Clear Passage, but not exactly.. massage, Reiki, etc. .. and none has helped at all. Controlling my diet is the only thing I do right now to try to keep well...

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 5, 2019

In reply to @dc10 "Also, one of the other members on this site said that if it was helpful to..." + (show)

@dc10

Massage does help, however, it does not "massage adhesions away" it just relaxes the muscles and helps the processing in the digestive tract. It is certainly worth a try (and no prescription is needed)!

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