Anyone had small bowel obstruction after anal cancer treatment?

Posted by islandgirl1961 @islandgirl1961, Feb 12 4:45pm

I finished treatment 10 months ago and have had 4 SBO. The first one was at the end of my treatment and I also became neutropenic. I spent five days in the hospital recovering from that and the obstruction. Since then I’ve had three additional small bowel obstructions. There is debate from my team about what is causing this issue. I have never had any abdominal surgery so no scar tissue. I have not needed the NG tube just IV fluids and pain medication for a few day on no food or water. I am hesitant to travel too far from a hospital for fear of having another episode. I am seeking answers or treatment for this issue.

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joseph1952 | @joseph1952 | Feb 18 9:33pm

I had the ng tube cause by to much medicationduring hernia repair cause my bowels to fall asleep as the doctors called it also caused E D from too manymeds

strongone21 | @strongone21 | Feb 18 10:10pm

@islandgirl1961 Have you checked if its caused by your nausea meds (if you take them for the treatment)? We had one SBO case for my husband (different cancer) but it was caused by Aloxi the nausea med. Once that was changed, subsequent chemos have been good.

islandgirl1961 | @islandgirl1961 | Feb 19 5:14am

Thanks for the info but no it was not caused by meds. I have had 3 since treatment has ended.

gbm | @gbm | Feb 20 8:34am

"SBO after radiation" refers to a small bowel obstruction (SBO) that can occur as a complication following radiation therapy. Radiation can cause damage to the tissues in the abdomen, leading to scarring or narrowing of the intestines, which may result in an obstruction.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Feb 24 5:41pm

In reply to @islandgirl1961 "Thanks for the info but no it was not caused by meds. I have had 3..." + (show)

@islandgirl1961, I can imagine that you are looking for ways to avoid future small bowel obstructions. You might be interested in this related discussion:
- Living with long-term bowel side effects post anal cancer treatment https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-long-term-bowel-side-effects-post-anal-cancer-treatment/

As your team continues to look for the cause, have they made suggestions to help with preventing future obstruction?

islandgirl1961 | @islandgirl1961 | Feb 25 6:42am

In reply to @colleenyoung "@islandgirl1961, I can imagine that you are looking for ways to avoid future small bowel obstructions...." + (show)

@colleenyoung yes they have suggested a low residue diet and eating smaller meals. I’m going to be having one MRI small intestines to make sure there’s nothing within the intestine walls causing the issue. The gastroenterologist feels it’s damaged from the radiation and there is really no treatment. I’m being told. Possibly going in and looking around and dealing with the adhesions if that’s what I have.