Chronic small bowel obstruction from adhesions

Posted by ginpene @ginpene05, Apr 6, 2017

This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet, but am considering Small Passage treatment. Last 3 times happened in the last 4 months. This is getting old. Any idess?

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Thanks for letting us know about your new eating plan, @nancybev. I hope it is successful for you and accomplishes your goals.

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@thull

I am doing ok, still on low residue diet. Have a colonoscopy scheduled 11/16 at Mayo. They want to see the reattachment site from the inside, to make sure it all looks ok. Not sure what tests they will order for small intestine. Having to take iron supplement as I was way low. Haven't eaten any red meat since July. It seems to be bothering me somewhat, so having to take Dulcolax when I take it. They are planning to introduce some fiber back into my diet as long as tests come back ok. My big thing was getting to my daughter's wedding 09/29 with no issues. Had a great day and was actually able to eat!

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It sounds as if you have some plans in place, @thull. I'm so glad that you were able to enjoy your daughter's wedding and even eat@ Most people don't realize what an accomplishment that is to those of us who have surgery in our GI tract.

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@musicflowers4u

I was also diagnosed with small bowel cancer called neuroendocrine or Carcinoid Cancer. Surgery at Mayo and they got it all. Bloodwork every 6 mo and scan every year for probably next 15 or so years (I am now 72). How are you doing post diagnosis?

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Hello @musicflowers4u, how are you feeling these days? How long ago was your surgery for NETs? I see that you mentioned it was in the small bowel. I've had 3 surgeries for NETs in the duodenal bulb. Was yours in the same area as well?

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@hopeful33250

It sounds as if you have some plans in place, @thull. I'm so glad that you were able to enjoy your daughter's wedding and even eat@ Most people don't realize what an accomplishment that is to those of us who have surgery in our GI tract.

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I even included it in my speech about being excited to eat real food. Everybody laughed and clapped because they know what I have been dealing with. I was also extremely happy with how I looked in my dress because when I first got home from the hospital, the distention was so bad in my abdomen, my dress would not zip and it made me cry. I am looking forward to introducing some fiber back into my diet! I hope everybody on this post are doing better

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@thull

I even included it in my speech about being excited to eat real food. Everybody laughed and clapped because they know what I have been dealing with. I was also extremely happy with how I looked in my dress because when I first got home from the hospital, the distention was so bad in my abdomen, my dress would not zip and it made me cry. I am looking forward to introducing some fiber back into my diet! I hope everybody on this post are doing better

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@thull , it is SO hard to explain what these things are like to people who haven't experienced them! 🙂
At this point I almost dread it when friends suggest we go out for a meal--trying to explain what and when I can or can't eat, and why, just makes people look at me funny most of the time!
It must feel great to have the distension gone. I hope you get to have some fiber soon.

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@nancybev

@thull , it is SO hard to explain what these things are like to people who haven't experienced them! 🙂
At this point I almost dread it when friends suggest we go out for a meal--trying to explain what and when I can or can't eat, and why, just makes people look at me funny most of the time!
It must feel great to have the distension gone. I hope you get to have some fiber soon.

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Me too! I actually miss salad! I know what you mean about going out to eat...I have to be careful about where we go, making sure they have something I can actually eat. I am very lucky in that my whole family and group of friends understand and pay attention. If somebody invites us over, they make sure they have something I can eat! Mac and cheese is always a winner!

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@thull

I am doing ok, still on low residue diet. Have a colonoscopy scheduled 11/16 at Mayo. They want to see the reattachment site from the inside, to make sure it all looks ok. Not sure what tests they will order for small intestine. Having to take iron supplement as I was way low. Haven't eaten any red meat since July. It seems to be bothering me somewhat, so having to take Dulcolax when I take it. They are planning to introduce some fiber back into my diet as long as tests come back ok. My big thing was getting to my daughter's wedding 09/29 with no issues. Had a great day and was actually able to eat!

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@thull and everybody who's here- So glad to hear about the wedding, and haviing the attachment that allows you to eat a bit is fantastic.Great progress! I was fortunate to be able to eat a normal diet after my surgeries and don't have major problems.

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In reply to @ginpene05 "What are NETS?" + (show)
@ginpene05

What are NETS?

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Hello @ginpene05

NETs is the abbreviation for neuroendocrine tumors (sometimes referred to as carcinoid), a rare form of cancer, usually found in the digestive tract. Here is a link to an explanation from Mayo's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neuroendocrine-tumors/symptoms-causes/syc-20354132

I've copied the first paragraph here:
"Neuroendocrine tumors are abnormal growths that begin in specialized cells called neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine cells have traits similar to nerve cells and to hormone-producing cells. Neuroendocrine tumors are rare and can occur anywhere in the body. Most neuroendocrine tumors occur in the lungs, appendix, small intestine, rectum and pancreas.
Neuroendocrine tumors can be noncancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

Diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine tumors depend on the type of tumor, its location, whether it produces excess hormones, how aggressive it is and whether it has spread to other parts of the body."

At Connect, we have a discussion group with lots of posts from those of us dealing with NETs. Here is the link to those discussions,
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/neuroendocrine-tumors-nets/?tab=discussions. While this is a rare form of malignancy, there are many of us dealing with.

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