Adhesions affecting digestion and causing pain

Hello @upartist
I'm sorry that I don't have an answer for that. I'm not sure how adhesions are located. Best check with a doctor to see if there is a way that can be done.

When they were trying to figure out where my blockage was, they did x rays and a CT scan with contrast. This showed where stuff was it the intestine vs areas that had nothing but air. This would indicate where everything was stopped, thus giving them an idea of other adhesions. But really, I don’t think they can exactly tell until they get in there. I know when they started laparoscopic last time, as soon as the camera was in, they saw how bad the adhesions were, and used the camera as a guide to see where to open me back up. My incision ended up being bigger, about 3 inches or so because they needed to start where there weren’t any adhesions. I hope this info helps

Thank you Teresa. I am actually scheduled for Gastro (again) in Feb. I am tired. This has been ongoing, leading into this last year. I had to leave work. I was not ready for that. My adhesions are likely profuse, so there will be no straight forward fix. My docs are very good. I am confident in that. They know I have been running hard away from another surgery. I am always looking for working pearls and the latest info. Thanks Teresa. This blog helps.

Hi Teresa. Another question I have, is what tests are done to figure out where the adhesions are located? Any information would help. Thank you!

I had adhesions removed at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix & surgery only makes it worse. I have adhesion's that are plastered to my intestines & bladder. There is nothing they can do about it. The dr. I had was very good & he removed what he could but through the process there was a small tearin the small bowel so you have to be careful about removing them. My dr. said no more surgery. It would only cause me more problems & just to treat the pain. Only way adhesion's show is through a laporoscopy. They do not show on a MRI or CY Scan. Best of luck to you.

Hello,
I am 39 years old female with a history of malrotation, bowel obstruction and adhesion. I had open surgery twice. I am suffering from chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea after each meal, and bloating. The only thing which relieved my symptoms is to fast or be on fluid diet and not to do any physical activity. I have been doing this for almost two years and half. I know it is adhesion as all my tests are normal. Does anyone have suggestions? Anyone has similar issue? I know that sooner or later I will need a surgery as it is getting worse but the doctors do not want to do any more surgery till I have bowel obstruction again. My symptoms are getting worse. No improvement at all. I am afraid that if the adhesion has not been resolved now it will cause lots of complications later such as ganagrene and it will be very difficult for me to recover completely.

I have not visited the group for a while, as my adhesions and I were having a sort of truce. But in February, I had a femoral hernia that required emergency surgery, and I have had two PBOs in the last 8 days; the second was so bad that I was hospitalized with an NG tube.. I am better now, and trying to make a low residue diet work better for me and my condition. Complaining aside... the question.. Does anyone have a good handout or info on a low fiber or low residue diet? The material I have is very contradictory... avocados yes; avocados no... chocolate yes; chocolate no... caffeine yes; caffeine no! etc...

Hello @marciakeren

I am glad that you posted again after your truce with adhesions. On Connect we do have a discussion on abdominal adhesions. Here is the link, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/abdominal-adhesions/. You may find others who have had to follow a low residue diet. Feel free to read through the discussions and click on "Reply" of "Comment" if you would like to ask for more information.

In the meantime, here is a list from WebMD that lists low residue foods, https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/low-residue-diet-foods. Another website from Mayo Clinic also offers suggestions for foods to eat and those to avoid. Here is the link to that website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/low-fiber-diet/art-20048511

I would also like to invite @thull to this conversation as she has dealt with a lot of surgeries that have resulted in adhesions.

Marcia, what is the most uncomfortable symptom that you are dealing with right now?

Thank you for this. I have checked the abdominal adhesions discussion and will join in that convo too. Currently, I am feeling better, but I am afraid to eat almost anything! My symptoms are always the same: at onset, a horrible squeezing pain as if someone is pushing my ribs together... then acute bouts of vomiting that can last hours... I rarely have any bowel movement issues while the attack is going on. Right now, my concern is managing the situation. I am looking for a practical diet (I am sticking primarily to clears and "white food") that will give me the right nourishment. I am also looking for a way to live with this!