Bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery

Posted by Sandi @idnas, Mar 20, 2015

I just joined this site and am looking to see if anyone talks about bowel obstructions caused by adhesions following abdominal surgery. I had successful sugery for colon cancer in 2008. About 6-months later I was hospitalized for 5 days with a bowel obstruction (that did resolve without further surgery). It took several months for my system to get back to "proper working order," but it did and for the past 5-years everything worked normally. Then, out of the blue, I had another bowel obstruction 2-months ago. I was hospitalized for 6-days, but again, no surgery. At this point I can only have bowel movements by taking Miralax and then I have diarrhea. I'm trying to eat a normal diet, just smaller amounts at a time and more frequently. I'm paranoid about another bowel obstruction, and also that my guy will not get back to normal. Has anyone had experience with this?

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Profile picture for susanh824 @susanh824

My gastroenterologist offered to refer me to a massage therapist who specializes in adhesion care. He is with a university medical center (OSU Wexner.) Maybe you could check into something like that. I’ve had bowel obstructions and extensive adhesion repair surgery, and know it’s not fun.

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Oh my gosh, thank you so much for responding. I’ve never talked to anyone who has the same problem we have. I live in Alaska, it is a very unique state but medically we have few specialists. I am being referred to Seattle and will look for options there. Thank you so much for responding I don’t feel quite so alone.
Edith

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Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction caused from adhesions. I’m May of 2020 I had my second bowel obstruction due to adhesions, this surgery was much worse. My surgeon tried laparoscopy but had to stop and do a mid line incision because of how dense the adhesions were. She accidentally nicked my intestines which caused a infection, long story short I spent two months in the hospital. Fast forward to January 2021 I had appendicitis and once again another surgeon knowing I had adhesions tried avoiding the area we thought was the worst. But he made several small incisions and nicked my intestines. I ended up with abcsesses and spent almost a month in the hospital very sick.
My question is are their other people going through similar problems? Did anyone ever warn you about the possibility of adhesions when you had your first surgery? Does anyone know about anything that will help stop the recurring bowel obstructions caused by adhesions?

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Hello everyone. I had a bowel obstruction nine years ago because of malrotation of the intestines, which required Ladd's band surgery. It is, esentially, a birth defect (undetected until my late 50's). I have been hospitalized four times since then, not requiring surgery. But oh, the pain! And the ng tube! I just got out of the hospital five days ago and am now afraid to eat anything other than jello, hard boiled eggs, cream of wheat and Ensure - in very small amounts at a time. Has anyone else experienced malrotation, and if so, how are you doing? I am afraid this is going to be a lifelong struggle.

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Profile picture for Judy Nauman Churchfield @judychurch

Hello everyone. I had a bowel obstruction nine years ago because of malrotation of the intestines, which required Ladd's band surgery. It is, esentially, a birth defect (undetected until my late 50's). I have been hospitalized four times since then, not requiring surgery. But oh, the pain! And the ng tube! I just got out of the hospital five days ago and am now afraid to eat anything other than jello, hard boiled eggs, cream of wheat and Ensure - in very small amounts at a time. Has anyone else experienced malrotation, and if so, how are you doing? I am afraid this is going to be a lifelong struggle.

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I had a bowel obstruction following a botched internal hernia repair. I have also had several partial obstructions. I feel your pain over the NG tube. I hate them! I’m now seeing a gastroenterologist for a pancreatic condition called EPI. He suggested that I see a massage therapist who specializes in massage of adhesions. I haven’t done it yet.

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Profile picture for susanh824 @susanh824

I had a bowel obstruction following a botched internal hernia repair. I have also had several partial obstructions. I feel your pain over the NG tube. I hate them! I’m now seeing a gastroenterologist for a pancreatic condition called EPI. He suggested that I see a massage therapist who specializes in massage of adhesions. I haven’t done it yet.

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I'm very sorry to hear that you are suffering with adhesions too. Please let me know if you go to a massage therapist, and if it helps. I'm going with my daughter to SF for a short trip, and asked my doctor which was the best hospital there. Better safe than sorry!

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Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction caused from adhesions. I’m May of 2020 I had my second bowel obstruction due to adhesions, this surgery was much worse. My surgeon tried laparoscopy but had to stop and do a mid line incision because of how dense the adhesions were. She accidentally nicked my intestines which caused a infection, long story short I spent two months in the hospital. Fast forward to January 2021 I had appendicitis and once again another surgeon knowing I had adhesions tried avoiding the area we thought was the worst. But he made several small incisions and nicked my intestines. I ended up with abcsesses and spent almost a month in the hospital very sick.
My question is are their other people going through similar problems? Did anyone ever warn you about the possibility of adhesions when you had your first surgery? Does anyone know about anything that will help stop the recurring bowel obstructions caused by adhesions?

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Thank you. I probably won’t go to one because I’m already swimming in copays that I can’t afford. But it’s nice to know that there are massage therapists who specialize in adhesions. Have a wonderful trip!

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Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction caused from adhesions. I’m May of 2020 I had my second bowel obstruction due to adhesions, this surgery was much worse. My surgeon tried laparoscopy but had to stop and do a mid line incision because of how dense the adhesions were. She accidentally nicked my intestines which caused a infection, long story short I spent two months in the hospital. Fast forward to January 2021 I had appendicitis and once again another surgeon knowing I had adhesions tried avoiding the area we thought was the worst. But he made several small incisions and nicked my intestines. I ended up with abcsesses and spent almost a month in the hospital very sick.
My question is are their other people going through similar problems? Did anyone ever warn you about the possibility of adhesions when you had your first surgery? Does anyone know about anything that will help stop the recurring bowel obstructions caused by adhesions?

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Hi susan824,
I'm sorry to hear about your bowel obstructions, I've been there and it is certainly not fun.
Can you tell me how you go about finding a massage therapist who treats adhesions. I'm interested in doing this and I don't know where to start. Good luck and I hope your situation can be improved.

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Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for responding. I’ve never talked to anyone who has the same problem we have. I live in Alaska, it is a very unique state but medically we have few specialists. I am being referred to Seattle and will look for options there. Thank you so much for responding I don’t feel quite so alone.
Edith

Jump to this post

REPLY
Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction caused from adhesions. I’m May of 2020 I had my second bowel obstruction due to adhesions, this surgery was much worse. My surgeon tried laparoscopy but had to stop and do a mid line incision because of how dense the adhesions were. She accidentally nicked my intestines which caused a infection, long story short I spent two months in the hospital. Fast forward to January 2021 I had appendicitis and once again another surgeon knowing I had adhesions tried avoiding the area we thought was the worst. But he made several small incisions and nicked my intestines. I ended up with abcsesses and spent almost a month in the hospital very sick.
My question is are their other people going through similar problems? Did anyone ever warn you about the possibility of adhesions when you had your first surgery? Does anyone know about anything that will help stop the recurring bowel obstructions caused by adhesions?

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I have had two obstructions after my appendix ruptured and sepsis in 2015. I have also had many obstructive episodes that didn’t require surgery. In 2017 I had adhesiolysis. Now I have a mobile cecum with bascule probably due to adhesions.
Adhesions are very strong. They are basically scar tissue. Most professionals don’t believe massage can remove them or cure the adhesion issues.

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Profile picture for Judy Nauman Churchfield @judychurch

I'm very sorry to hear that you are suffering with adhesions too. Please let me know if you go to a massage therapist, and if it helps. I'm going with my daughter to SF for a short trip, and asked my doctor which was the best hospital there. Better safe than sorry!

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Thank you, I’ve been trying to find a PT who treats people with adhesions. In Alaska I have not found anyone. I’m still searching. I will keep you posted!
I hope your trip to SF is enjoyable. I’m going Las Vegas in May also, I’ve never been… I don’t even gamble but there is so much to do besides gamble. I also plan on knowing where the best hospitals are. It’s sad we have to travel this way and just can’t enjoy!
Edihj

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Profile picture for elewis23 @elewis23

Thank you, I’ve been trying to find a PT who treats people with adhesions. In Alaska I have not found anyone. I’m still searching. I will keep you posted!
I hope your trip to SF is enjoyable. I’m going Las Vegas in May also, I’ve never been… I don’t even gamble but there is so much to do besides gamble. I also plan on knowing where the best hospitals are. It’s sad we have to travel this way and just can’t enjoy!
Edihj

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There is a place called Clear Passage in Florida. I am not convinced that it works. Insurance will not support them and their fee is upwards of $5000.
My feeling is if this worked, wouldn’t insurance be covering this instead of surgery?

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