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Tips for managing chronic Small Bowel Obstructions
Digestive Health | Last Active: Sep 27, 2021 | Replies (88)Comment receiving replies
Thank you @thull and @nancybev !! While I hate that anyone else is also dealing with this, it is nice to know that I'm not alone. @thull I'm sorry you are dealing with constipation issues 🙁 My surgeon put me on a bowel regimen to help with that. Basically a stool softener every day, benefiber once a day, and Miralax every 3 days. So far it seems to help. However I struggle with similar issues when I have had to use Zofran over a few days because of nausea or pain flare ups. It isn't fun.
As far as liquids go, I drink the clear therapeutic nutrition Ensures and they aren't bad but they only offer two flavors!! How do you get variety in what you do eat or drink?
I suppose, like anything, it will just take time to get used to it and then it will become routine.
Glad to know you all are here if I need you. Happy Holidays and no hospital trips for any of us!
Replies to "Thank you @thull and @nancybev !! While I hate that anyone else is also dealing with..."
The clear Ensure isn't bad, but I agree it's too bad only the two flavors. I started taking a softener everyday and eating some higher fiber cereal to see if that helps. The next step for me will be to try the fiber supplement. Not having severe belly pain, just very difficult to go and that stresses me out because it makes my mind head to worst case scenario if you know what I mean. As far as variety, I am doing different flavors of Ensure, not all clears, and flavored waters , but as far as food goes, being super careful & boring. Lots of scrambled eggs, Mac & cheese, mashed potatos, chicken & salmon. And cookies.....I can eat cookies and chocolate! Haha
I spoke too soon about no more hospital stays. Ended up back at Mayo ER with the diverticulitis coming back with a vengeance. I was in from 12/13 to 12/20. Sent home on clear liquid diet, and will need more surgery. The previous surgical site where they did my reconnection is so narrowed by diverticulitis and scar tissue it is only about the width of a string of yarn. Only liquids can get thru. Right now surgery is scheduled for 1/18 with a colorectal surgeon at Mayo, but hoping they move it up as I feel like I am starving to death! They will remove the rest of the sigmoid and reconnect my colon above that down at my rectum. They advanced me to 1 serving a day of a full liquid, like a creamy soup or ice cream, but just had another enema with contrast yesterday and even after being on antibiotics for 3 weeks and counting, the narrow area is not any better, so it's back to just clear liquids. I have dropped another 5 pounds, down to 95. Not good.
One thing I discovered that I really like though is Boost Breeze, peach flavored. They gave it to me in the hospital and it is really good. I had to order it on Amazon, though. Could not find it in the stores.
250 calories and 9 grams of protein per 8 oz. I am trying to get in 4 a day along with broth, jello etc. As much as I am not looking forward to more surgery(this will be #4 in a year), I am ready for this to be over with. I am dreaming about eating food. Christmas was extremely difficult.
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@jljacoby , I'm glad you found this place! It can feel very lonely sometimes to deal with these stupid things.
You mentioned that you drink clear Ensures (I didn't even know they existed!). Are you limited to clear liquids at this point?