1. < Digestive Health

Chronic small bowel obstruction from adhesions

Posted by ginpene @ginpene05, Apr 6, 2017

This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet, but am considering Small Passage treatment. Last 3 times happened in the last 4 months. This is getting old. Any idess?

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personalhell | @personalhell | Apr 6, 2019

Just had rectocele surgery... Supposedly causes no "discomfort" been tellin em n they been agreein for the most part that my problem is adhesions... This colonoscopy I was diagnosed with tortuous colon cause they could barely get the camera thru. But THAT doesn't cause any "discomfort" either, which makes NO sense to me, but they still agreed I probably am suffering from adhesions but, as we all know, they don't wanna mess with em for fear of more. Well, I wish to high heaven n beyond I had "discomfort" the top surgeon in the area I consulted with when diagnosed with the tortuous n he said nothin could be done. I ended up on ANOTHER blocked bm that had me screamin for 5 days. I called em n said I'll take the risk. It took 25 years to get to this, how fast they gonna grow more n they might even grow the opposite direction, right? Then I looked it up, don't know why in that order... maybe cause I was POSITIVE it's all the adhesions in the exact spot all 3 scars meet. As I read the info I had tears pourin off my face down my chest, I sobbed, I was relieved I found proof, pissed they didn't address it when I showed up doubled over n sobbin in agony. When it's the ONLY thing left it could be n they KNEW that's what it is n STILL brushed it off with absolutely NO ADVICE OR INSTRUCTIONS, JUST, "LIVE WITH IT" ... WE know our bodies better n they NEED to start listenin to US! In little over 5 weeks I will get my relief... Because I REFUSED TO BE IGNORED!

REPLY
2 replies
TERESA LOGAN | @quiteachiver75 | Apr 6, 2019

@quiteachiver75 WE HAVE TO STAND STRONG TO GET WHAT WE NEED DOING CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS KEEP SMILING 😃👍

REPLY
dc10 | @dc10 | Apr 7, 2019
In reply to @personalhell "Just had rectocele surgery... Supposedly causes no "discomfort" been tellin em n they been agreein for..." + (show)
@personalhell

Just had rectocele surgery... Supposedly causes no "discomfort" been tellin em n they been agreein for the most part that my problem is adhesions... This colonoscopy I was diagnosed with tortuous colon cause they could barely get the camera thru. But THAT doesn't cause any "discomfort" either, which makes NO sense to me, but they still agreed I probably am suffering from adhesions but, as we all know, they don't wanna mess with em for fear of more. Well, I wish to high heaven n beyond I had "discomfort" the top surgeon in the area I consulted with when diagnosed with the tortuous n he said nothin could be done. I ended up on ANOTHER blocked bm that had me screamin for 5 days. I called em n said I'll take the risk. It took 25 years to get to this, how fast they gonna grow more n they might even grow the opposite direction, right? Then I looked it up, don't know why in that order... maybe cause I was POSITIVE it's all the adhesions in the exact spot all 3 scars meet. As I read the info I had tears pourin off my face down my chest, I sobbed, I was relieved I found proof, pissed they didn't address it when I showed up doubled over n sobbin in agony. When it's the ONLY thing left it could be n they KNEW that's what it is n STILL brushed it off with absolutely NO ADVICE OR INSTRUCTIONS, JUST, "LIVE WITH IT" ... WE know our bodies better n they NEED to start listenin to US! In little over 5 weeks I will get my relief... Because I REFUSED TO BE IGNORED!

Jump to this post

Good luck to you!! Being told to “live with it” is a poor solution.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | Apr 7, 2019
In reply to @personalhell "Just had rectocele surgery... Supposedly causes no "discomfort" been tellin em n they been agreein for..." + (show)
@personalhell

Just had rectocele surgery... Supposedly causes no "discomfort" been tellin em n they been agreein for the most part that my problem is adhesions... This colonoscopy I was diagnosed with tortuous colon cause they could barely get the camera thru. But THAT doesn't cause any "discomfort" either, which makes NO sense to me, but they still agreed I probably am suffering from adhesions but, as we all know, they don't wanna mess with em for fear of more. Well, I wish to high heaven n beyond I had "discomfort" the top surgeon in the area I consulted with when diagnosed with the tortuous n he said nothin could be done. I ended up on ANOTHER blocked bm that had me screamin for 5 days. I called em n said I'll take the risk. It took 25 years to get to this, how fast they gonna grow more n they might even grow the opposite direction, right? Then I looked it up, don't know why in that order... maybe cause I was POSITIVE it's all the adhesions in the exact spot all 3 scars meet. As I read the info I had tears pourin off my face down my chest, I sobbed, I was relieved I found proof, pissed they didn't address it when I showed up doubled over n sobbin in agony. When it's the ONLY thing left it could be n they KNEW that's what it is n STILL brushed it off with absolutely NO ADVICE OR INSTRUCTIONS, JUST, "LIVE WITH IT" ... WE know our bodies better n they NEED to start listenin to US! In little over 5 weeks I will get my relief... Because I REFUSED TO BE IGNORED!

Jump to this post

@personalhell Good for you, being so persistent. You are right, we do know our own bodies best but it can a while to get through to some doctors. I hope your surgery goes well and you get the relief you need. Please let us know how things are after the surgery is over.
JK

REPLY
personalhell | @personalhell | Apr 9, 2019
In reply to @bentley33 "Thank you for reading my post. They used to be short( 3-7 days) but this is..." + (show)
@bentley33

Thank you for reading my post. They used to be short( 3-7 days) but this is not going away. I am skeptical about the Clear Passages. It’s very expensive and no guarantees. That’s why I joined this group. I’m desperately looking for relief but also don’t want to be taken advantage of. I don’t want a surgery and neither does my GI doctor. He is afraid it’s to high risk. It’s been months and I can’t keep living this way, it’s more like surviving the day. I’ve also looked into CBD oils. I just don’t know what to do at this point.

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Sounds like me but, mine is adhesions CAUSED "tortuous colon" or they hit the spot I kept tellin EVERY Dr bout n when they couldn't get right thru with the camera they just assumed that's what it is. I FINALLY got a GI, gyno N a surgeon to acknowledge it's the adhesions causin all the ABSOLUTE AGONY n chronic constipation/partial blockages. I was always told n I agreed it wasn't an option for the pain for years but now it is gettin dangerous. I told the surgeon that I am willin to risk how fast they'll grow back hell, they took 27 years to get this bad n there's always the chance they'll grow the opposite direction, n he has agreed to DO IT! at bare minimum he'll cut the one I need cut loose to allow stool passage. I CAN'T WAIT! IMAGINE, a BM done in ONE day... WITHOUT the pure hell it takes to get it out. I'll update after surgery. GOOD LUCK TO US ALLLLLLL!

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paulapyxis | @paulapyxis | May 21, 2019
In reply to @judibutter "Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel..." + (show)
@judibutter

Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel obstruction having to have NG tube twice. I had an UGI series with small bowel follow through. Barium didn't come through for over 24 hours. I was never given a reason for the blockage. A month after that I had a totally non functioning gall bladder requiring surgery. I continue to have issues with bloating, pain, terrible gas and flatus. I have small pellet like stools and an hour later a normal bowel movement. I feel very over full many times after a meal and am unable to eat the next meal. I find there is nothing that has helped me. I have done the high fiber diet, no help. I have done the low fiber diet no help. Liquids do seem to help sometimes. I assume my problems stem from past abdominal surgeries, appendix, total abdominal hysterectomy and now the gall bladder. I have had no help from my physicians and the symptoms are beginning to impact my quality of life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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I know there are others much more qualified to answer this other than me, but my mother has been experiencing the same things. She has found that staying on a soft diet helps, but she has also greatly increased her "water" intake and established a routine of walking more. She has an colostomy so that causes her other issues, but in drinking 60 ounces of just water a day, cutting out carbonated drinks and eating more frequent small meals, she has been able to manage her obstructions at home. I am sorry you aren't getting the answers you need. We went to 3 different hospitals before we found someone who actually took an interest in her case and provided us with information.

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judibutter | @judibutter | May 21, 2019
In reply to @judibutter "Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel..." + (show)
@judibutter

Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel obstruction having to have NG tube twice. I had an UGI series with small bowel follow through. Barium didn't come through for over 24 hours. I was never given a reason for the blockage. A month after that I had a totally non functioning gall bladder requiring surgery. I continue to have issues with bloating, pain, terrible gas and flatus. I have small pellet like stools and an hour later a normal bowel movement. I feel very over full many times after a meal and am unable to eat the next meal. I find there is nothing that has helped me. I have done the high fiber diet, no help. I have done the low fiber diet no help. Liquids do seem to help sometimes. I assume my problems stem from past abdominal surgeries, appendix, total abdominal hysterectomy and now the gall bladder. I have had no help from my physicians and the symptoms are beginning to impact my quality of life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jump to this post

Thank you for your reply. I know I need to do better with water intake but I do not drink soft drinks already, maybe once a month or so only. I try to walk 2 to 3 miles each day but have been limited lately because of chest pain on exertion. I think I will try a total fast for 24 hours then start a soft diet of just a couple of things for a week. Then, I will introduce other food items one at a time. I can’t think of anything else to do. Again, thank you for taking the time to answer me.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 21, 2019
In reply to @judibutter "Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel..." + (show)
@judibutter

Hi, I am new to this group. Last year I was admitted twice for small bowel obstruction having to have NG tube twice. I had an UGI series with small bowel follow through. Barium didn't come through for over 24 hours. I was never given a reason for the blockage. A month after that I had a totally non functioning gall bladder requiring surgery. I continue to have issues with bloating, pain, terrible gas and flatus. I have small pellet like stools and an hour later a normal bowel movement. I feel very over full many times after a meal and am unable to eat the next meal. I find there is nothing that has helped me. I have done the high fiber diet, no help. I have done the low fiber diet no help. Liquids do seem to help sometimes. I assume my problems stem from past abdominal surgeries, appendix, total abdominal hysterectomy and now the gall bladder. I have had no help from my physicians and the symptoms are beginning to impact my quality of life. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jump to this post

Hello @judibutter

I am pleased that you posted this concern. We have had many members on Connect who have posted about this problem. I would like to invite @thull and @nancybev who have had experiences similar to yours and might be able to offer you some suggestions. Do you see a gastroenterologist?

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1 reply
thull | @thull | May 21, 2019
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @judibutter I am pleased that you posted this concern. We have had many members on..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @judibutter

I am pleased that you posted this concern. We have had many members on Connect who have posted about this problem. I would like to invite @thull and @nancybev who have had experiences similar to yours and might be able to offer you some suggestions. Do you see a gastroenterologist?

Jump to this post

When my small bowel obstruction was total, they did the NG tube and finally had to put me on TPN because I was basically starving and needed nutrition. Once some stuff started getting through, I was on the TPN until I could handle enough calories to maintain my weight. My obstruction was due to adhesions from my colostomy reversal surgery. Liquids are great....I like high protein Boost and Boost Breeze which is clear. Important to get calories and protein. Low residue diet, which is very low fiber. Nothing over 1 gram of fiber per serving. To me, the liquids are my safe space. I know those feed me and get through.
Slow baby steps are best . Add things gradually and in small amounts. Like a couple bites of scrambled eggs, a few bites of applesauce or pudding. See how it feels.
I am heading back into Mayo this Friday to have an outpatient procedure on my incision scar.
I hope some of my suggestions help

REPLY
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | May 21, 2019
In reply to @judibutter "Thank you for your reply. I know I need to do better with water intake but..." + (show)
@judibutter

Thank you for your reply. I know I need to do better with water intake but I do not drink soft drinks already, maybe once a month or so only. I try to walk 2 to 3 miles each day but have been limited lately because of chest pain on exertion. I think I will try a total fast for 24 hours then start a soft diet of just a couple of things for a week. Then, I will introduce other food items one at a time. I can’t think of anything else to do. Again, thank you for taking the time to answer me.

Jump to this post

Hello @judibutter

I encourage you to read the suggestions by @thull. She has experienced a lot of these problems in the past.

Some other suggestions are to try some stretching exercises after eating. Such as stretching your arms up in the air and to the sides. Also, stomach massage can often help the digestive process. Here are some Youtube videos about exercises for digestive problems,
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=exercises+for+gastroparesis

I look forward to hearing how you are doing. Will you post again?

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