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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amyp304 | @amyp304 | Sep 20, 2020
In reply to @martft4 "Please update after your appointment I totally understand your frustration with doctors and not getting answers...." + (show)
@martft4

Please update after your appointment
I totally understand your frustration with doctors and not getting answers.
I am meeting with a new gastroenterologist on Thursday and praying that he can help me with my stomach pain. I do have gastroparesis and The stomach pain everyday wears you down so bad.
Some days I feel like what’s the point in trying to eat because I’m just going to hurt after.
Oh well we have to keep on keeping on to get one doctor to understand what it’s like and figure out some kind of treatment plan.

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Surgery scheduled for Oct 7th.
Urologist surgeon will be also attending surgery just in case they are needed. I’m praying for the best of outcome.. but mostly relief of the pain. I am 50/50 on the whole mesh being put in for the support of the stomach muscle walls, but they assure me that mesh implant’s have changed a lot for the better
I’m 🙏🏼🙏🏼Ing They are correct in this information.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this kind of surgery? And what is the reality of positive for this kinda surgery?
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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Sep 23, 2020

Hello @amyp304,

I'm so glad that you have your surgery scheduled. I'm sure you will be glad to have this behind you so that you can begin to feel better.

Will you post again with any questions or concerns?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 9, 2020

Hello @amyp304

I was thinking about you as I know you have worked really hard to obtain a diagnosis and treatment. You last posted that surgery was scheduled for October 7. I hope that went well.

I would love to hear from you. When you feel better, would you post an update?

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sunshine4mary | @sunshine4mary | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @loriel59 "I have been having bowel obstructions for almost 4 years. No one could tell me what..." + (show)
@loriel59

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.

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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?

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2 replies
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Oct 16, 2020
In reply to @sunshine4mary "Same issues here. My question adhesions are incredibly painful. The attacks last a long time for..." + (show)
@sunshine4mary

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?

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Hello @sunshine4mary, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You’ve come to the right place to talk with people who have similar experiences with adhesions and pain and to get support from members who understand what you are going through. I'd like to invite @tigreyes2004, @thull, and @upartist to possibly share their situation with adhesions.

Mary, You stated that your attacks last for a long time, how long do they normally last and what are you currently taking, if anything, to combat the pain?

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pennymac07 | @pennymac07 | Apr 25, 2021
In reply to @loriel59 "Hello, I went through over 35 attacks and 3 hospital stays from September 2013 until this..." + (show)
@loriel59

Hello,
I went through over 35 attacks and 3 hospital stays from September 2013 until this July 2017. I suffered terribly. I was getting week long attacks almost every month the last year. I saw many doctors before this. I was told that basically, I had to live with it. I should go to the emergency room and get the NG tube when needed. I finally found a doctor in NYC. He does laparoscopic GI surgery only. He is part of a group. I have no idea where you live. I also going to say he doesn't take insurance, but if you have a PPO you should get at least half back. He took out four feet of small intestine and a small amount of large. I had radiation therapy in 2003. It was damage called radiation enteritis. I admit the recovery from the surgery is long. I am 5 months past and I am having some "bathroom issues". The first six weeks after surgery are not the most fun you can have! However, to date, I have not had an attack. Please feel free to respond if you want more information.

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Please give me more information

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austin202001 | @austin202001 | Jun 4, 2021

When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen again after 7 years of not having one cus my body’s felling like it was then when I had it could be constipation but stool softeners are barely working

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1 reply
donnacarp | @donnacarp | Jun 5, 2021
In reply to @austin202001 "When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen..." + (show)
@austin202001

When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen again after 7 years of not having one cus my body’s felling like it was then when I had it could be constipation but stool softeners are barely working

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I sure feel for you. I struggled for years with constipation and the ONLY solutions I have found are these: Miralax every day, Agiolax (Amazon) every day, 1 stool softener every day, MINIMUM of 1 liter of water every day, the FODMAP diet which takes a lot of study online and stopping the foods that they say to stop, no milk products and lastly being as close to an entirely vegan diet as possible. I eat as many fruits and vegetables that I can always mindful of the low and high FODMAP foods. Personally, I also have to only use Tylenol and not the Advil type drugs since they also constipate me. When my gut is OK, I am OK. It sounds simple but it is not easy. One choice at a time.

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1 reply
Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 5, 2021

@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine will ensure that you can identify and pinpoint what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. You will see that I moved your question to a discussion about bowel obstruction. I did this so you can connect with members that have been through similar situations.

Austin, have you been in contact with your physician about your symptoms?

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1 reply
austin202001 | @austin202001 | Jun 5, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine..." + (show)
@amandaa

@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine will ensure that you can identify and pinpoint what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. You will see that I moved your question to a discussion about bowel obstruction. I did this so you can connect with members that have been through similar situations.

Austin, have you been in contact with your physician about your symptoms?

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Thank you for that I still go but it like I have to work hard for 10-15 for a small movement that’s what happend last time

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