In January I had my first bout with SBO.It was extremely painful and after a week in the hospital I had exploratory laparoscopic surgery.My adhesions were lysed and I went home 48 hours later.The surgery was practically painless and very easy to recover from.I wish I had done the surgery sooner as the symptoms were so much worse .I can not imagine going through the obstruction so many times.

Hello @ginpene05, and welcome to Connect,

You've been through quite a bit, and of course you must be frustrated with finding no relief!

I'd like you to meet @rssanders @jgirlatlaw @justjane @eddiesrp @jimmymac @ron22 @bonitav @wordnoid @londonmark @idnas @kag13 @loriel59, who have shared their experience with small bowel obstruction (SBO) in the following discussions, and I'm confident that they will return to share some insight with you:

Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery: http://mayocl.in/2nhtuhj
bowel obstruction: http://mayocl.in/2nPqSUg
Scar tissue surrounding organs: http://mayocl.in/2o7g2LT

Here is some information from Mayo Clinic as well: http://mayocl.in/2oJyHhJ

@ginpene05, could you tell us a bit more about the cause of these adhesions? are they scar tissue? What do you currently do to help control your symptoms?

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.

Sure sounds familiar! My first one was during vacation in Florida. Just came home today from 5 days back in hospital. I had surgery 35 yrs. ago to lyse adhesions. My battle plan now is go back to very low residue, even though the surgeon is not a low fiber enthusiast. Sorry you are also miserable. I tell myself it could be worse - heart, respiratory, paralysis. Sudden death! Hang in there. Ginny

Hi @mayoclinicseeker,

I'd like to introduce you to a few members in the Digestive Health group on Connect; please meet @nonnie1 @ginpene05 @rssanders @jgirlatlaw @justjane @eddiesrp @jimmymac @ron22 @bonitav @wordnoid @londonmark @idnas @kag13 @loriel59, all of whom have shared their experience with intestinal stenosis/obstruction, and I’m confident that they will return to share their insights with you:

You may also wish to view these discussions:
Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery: http://mayocl.in/2nhtuhj
bowel obstruction: http://mayocl.in/2nPqSUg

And, here is some information from Mayo Clinic: http://mayocl.in/2oJyHhJ

@mayoclinicseeker, what symptoms are you experiencing? What do you currently do to help control your symptoms?

Yes I will write once I'm better. Thank you for your thoughts. Ginny

I am sorry to hear about all of your troubles the small Bowel obstruction Ginny. I just got out of the hospital last night from another terrible SBO. It's the second in just two months. And I have had at least ten over the last seven years. Mine are almost always as everyone else has described. Severe pain, vomiting, passing out, emergency room, NG tube and then a liquid diet recovery. I am doing as much research as I can to learn anything. I have heard all sorts of things about diet and yoga, surgery to remove adhesions and even that place in Florida that has a holistic approach. I want to learn anything I can. I have an ileostomy. I am 56 years old and got the ileostomy when I was 23 from ulcerative colitis and toxic megacolon. Since that time I have had my rectum removed, gallbladder removed, full hysterectomy and one or two minor incisional repair surgeries. I know that my blockages are due to adhesions. But the only answer I get from doctors is to live with it. I am going to try to eat softer more digestible foods. I am a swimmer so physical activity is not an issue. I am going to look into things that keep inflammation down even though I know that inflammation plays only a supporting role. I am hoping to hear back from anyone with ideas and I am thankful to know that there are others out there like me. Sandy

Oh, Honey, you have been put through your paces, haven't you? I will offer just a few thoughts. I think that the people in the clinic, main one in Jacksonville, are the real thing, after 2 long phone conversations with them, a delightful assistant named Ginny. Anyway, after receiving all my records they didn't want to see me because of my medical history, especially after the cancer diagnosis, so I know that they are cautious and caring. I was desperate and ready to do anything also. I suspect that, not to be crude or insensitive, that they would not touch you with a 10 foot pole because of your current anatomical situation. The massages are long lasting and tough, I think. Regarding food, I had been on a very low fiber diet for 4 or 5 years, even though most of the doctors were not big believers in it, but dieticians all recommended it. I now don't need to, at least not for now, because the lymphoma tumor, not adhesions, was the cause of the obstructions. My ability to enjoy fruit, veggies and whole grains again is my silver lining, and I love it. One other thing I will add is that I also believe that inflammations is not our friend, so avoid sugar, anyway, and swim your guts out, no pun intended. Let me know how you do, dear. gp

I am currently dealing with SBO from ostomy reversal surgery 7/31/18. After 6 days, with increasing distention and no bowel movement, they placed NG tube, and did a radiographic enema to make sure reversal was clear. It looked good and caused my colon to empty out over the next 2 days. NG tube only pulled about 200 ml out of my stomach after 18 hours. That was removed and back to clear liquids. PICC line placed for TPN. Did an X-ray and my colon was completely empty but lots of gas & liquid in SB. At 11 days out, felt like I was going to blow up. 2 NG tube placed then in for 2nd surgery. SB was too swollen and adhered to abdominal wall so they placed a drain in my stomach and closed me back up. Took NG tube out. 4 days later, I started having small bowel movements so they sent me home with drain still in & PICC line in getting nutrition at home. Got pressure sores from drain and had it removed. If more surgery ends up being needed for adhesions, is robotic or lasprascopic better? I don't think I can handle another massive incision. I was cut from just below my diaphragm all the way down to my pubic bone. Very discouraged!

I tend to be a bit intense in my verbiage, but good grief, girl, you have been through so much! As to your question about robotic versus laparoscopic surgery, I think that either could be great in the right hands. Your case is complicated, and I wonder if another opinion would help? Maybe it would take forever, and maybe even thinking about seeing another person is exhausting, I don't know... Let me know how you do.
Totally selfish question- how did you put up with so many NG tube placements? I HATE those things- my throat feels like it's on fire the whole time it's in, every saliva swallow burns. I have to stick my hands under my butt to keep from involuntarily grabbing the doctor placing it! Maybe I am just a baby... LOL