Tips for managing chronic Small Bowel Obstructions

MY STOMACH SOUNDS LIKE , ITS LIKE YOURS I HAVE HAD MAJOR SURGERY AND LOSING 3/4 LARGE BOWL ALSO 12 INS OF THE SMALL BOWL MY DAILY EATING IS LIMITED DUE TO WIND NAUSEA AND FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO BE SICK. TIREDNESS MY DOCTOR HAS SAID THERE’S NO ONE WITH A STOMACH LIKE YOURS HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON. GOOD LUCK 👍

I’ve been struggling for years to find something that will help control the chronic nausea. I’ve tried different meds and they’ve helped but can take a long time to kick in, some make me so tired I can’t do anything. What has worked for you? Both meds and over the counter. Have any of you tried essential oils? Did they help?

Hi. I have had abdominal pain and nausea since August. In September I had an upper GI scope which showed a duodenal stricture. At that time, the stricture was ballooned open. I felt better initially, then the symptoms come back. I have since had an ERCP and 4 more GI scopes (including 1 to place a stent in that stricture, and 1 to remove the stent). While the stent was in, I had a little bit of pain/nausea initially and had a barium swallow which showed delayed gastric emptying (however, it emptied after approximately 15 minutes). Due to the delayed emptying, I was diagnosed with gastroparesis. I had been on Reglan prior to this diagnosis, but afterwards my dosage was increased. Between either the stricture or the Reglan my symptoms were better, however I had bad side effects from the Reglan and had to go off of it. I was off of it for approximately 2 weeks prior to the stent removal. For about a month after the stent removal, I was symptom free. Unfortunately, in January the symptoms started up again and I had another scope where the stricture was ballooned again.

I recently saw a GI doctor for a second opinion who felt that majority of my symptoms were due to the stricture and that there was no evidence to support the diagnosis of gastroparesis. He recommended a consult with a surgeon for possible surgery for that stricture (he mentioned a few different possibilities). I saw the surgeon today. He is doing more testing (gastric emptying study, CT scan, and another upper GI scope in order to get a biopsy of the stricture), but didn't feel that my symptoms were consistent with the stricture. I am getting quite frustrated, have been dealing with this for quite a while. I have been on a liquid diet since January, and have lost almost 50 pounds since September.

Anyway, has anyone else experienced anything like this? Anyone have thoughts? Thank you.

Hi @kibe75,

You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion. I did this as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who are discussing much of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.

I would like to invite @jlfisher56 @robatk17 @katmandoo @irreverent @nonnie1 @upartist @techmom @gabigirl26 @darlia @fourof5zs @jlfisher56 to join in as they’ve discussed slow gastric emptying and/or gastroparesis on Connect, and may have some insights and information that could help.

With regard to drinking liquids to manage SBO, do you find that you can blend nutritious foods to a liquid? For instance, I’m drinking a smoothie with blueberries, cherries and a banana. I’m trying to find what works for me to prevent my SBOs, but still get the nutrition I need. Thank you for your thoughts!

@dc10 , some of the things I blend into smoothies to make them healthier (and still not too bulky) are Greek yogurt, protein powder, spinach, tofu, flax meal (for fiber that is, again, not too chunky), and occasionally a little peanut butter (although I'm more careful with that, as it's a little harder to digest, I think). I have a bunch of different kinds of frozen fruit that I can throw in, too.
I also use different kinds of milk--cow, soy, almond, and coconut--at different times, because they all have different nutritional benefits.

@dc10
For me, as far as the nutrition went, getting enough protein was my doctors biggest concern along with enough calories. I pretty much stuck with the high protein Boost and the Boost Breeze which is clear. I didn't have the energy while recovering from the surgeries to make my own smoothies. And definitely lots of water, and I did a gentle massage which I feel really helped.

That is so helpful. Thank you!

Thank you. Even though I’ve had 6 bowel obstructions I’m still trying to figure it out and haven’t gotten much regarding what to eat from the doctors that I’ve seen.

I have only had the one in my small intestine due to the adhesions, but when it was total, they didn't let me eat anything. When it partially cleared, I was on clear liquids and then regular liquids, but they also put me on TPN. I did that and the massage and after a few weeks, it finally blew open and I had diarrhea probably 30 times over 2 days and all the distention was gone. I was able to get off the TPN but they kept me on low residue diet for a long time. Then the diverticulitis came back, the reattachment site from my colostomy reversal failed and I had a BAD blockage in my colon and ended up having surgery again. It worked and now I am feeling good and eating normally.
Did anybody recommend the low residue diet to you? Nothing to eat that has more than 1 or 2 grams of fiber in it, no seeds, nuts, etc.
Basically you are eating a toddler diet, but hey, I am a big fan of Mac & cheese! You can google low residue diet and it gives you lots of ideas.