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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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carlwgordon | @carlwgordon | Feb 13, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @carlwgordon You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Hello @carlwgordon

You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever seen a pelvic floor therapist. These therapists are specially trained to help with elimination problems, either urinary or bowel-related. They can give you excellent suggestions for dealing with constipation with exercises, breathing techniques, and abdominal massage.

Might you consider asking for a referral to one of these therapists?

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Thanks ill check it out

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1 reply
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carlwgordon | @carlwgordon | Feb 13, 2021
In reply to @carlwgordon "Thanks ill check it out" + (show)
Profile picture for carlwgordon @carlwgordon

Thanks ill check it out

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Actually i ask someone else forum and he told me he use the palm of hie hand in circles. I also look on you tube. Goodluck

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thull | @thull | Feb 13, 2021
In reply to @jcarndt "Can I ask how you learned to do the massage for abdominal adhesions on the Clear..." + (show)
Profile picture for Keith Moon @jcarndt

Can I ask how you learned to do the massage for abdominal adhesions on the Clear Passages webpage ? I can't find it anywhere and am desperate for some relief. I've had two bowel resections due to Crohn's disease, and have lots of scar tissue which is causing more and more problems which are getting worse by the day. SIBO symptoms, chronic constipation, etc. I thought about contacting Clear Passages but I'm going to assume the cost is astronomical.

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I was looking them up and just really just started doing the circles with the heel of my hands, and putting pressure that was tolerable. I had watched some videos on a website. I too was concerned about the cost and thought I will have to try myself and see if it helps and it did. While I do the abdominal massage, I take cleansing breaths and in my mind picture the adhesions letting go.

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hmchamlake | @hmchamlake | Feb 14, 2021
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @carlwgordon You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever..." + (show)
Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Hello @carlwgordon

You asked about abdominal massage and that made me wonder if you have ever seen a pelvic floor therapist. These therapists are specially trained to help with elimination problems, either urinary or bowel-related. They can give you excellent suggestions for dealing with constipation with exercises, breathing techniques, and abdominal massage.

Might you consider asking for a referral to one of these therapists?

Jump to this post

yes please

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pennymac07 | @pennymac07 | Apr 25, 2021
In reply to @loriel59 "Hello, I went through over 35 attacks and 3 hospital stays from September 2013 until this..." + (show)
Profile picture for loriel59 @loriel59

Hello,
I went through over 35 attacks and 3 hospital stays from September 2013 until this July 2017. I suffered terribly. I was getting week long attacks almost every month the last year. I saw many doctors before this. I was told that basically, I had to live with it. I should go to the emergency room and get the NG tube when needed. I finally found a doctor in NYC. He does laparoscopic GI surgery only. He is part of a group. I have no idea where you live. I also going to say he doesn't take insurance, but if you have a PPO you should get at least half back. He took out four feet of small intestine and a small amount of large. I had radiation therapy in 2003. It was damage called radiation enteritis. I admit the recovery from the surgery is long. I am 5 months past and I am having some "bathroom issues". The first six weeks after surgery are not the most fun you can have! However, to date, I have not had an attack. Please feel free to respond if you want more information.

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Please give me more information

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mfratt | @mfratt | May 21, 2021
In reply to @elewis23 "I had pelvic surgery roughly 10yrs ago, in August 2019 I had my first bowel obstruction..." + (show)
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 was not warned of adhesions in the past and was nieve of what would occur. I will have it done somewhere because it involves quality of life. Need a good surgeon.

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austin202001 | @austin202001 | Jun 4, 2021
In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)
Profile picture for ginpene @ginpene05

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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When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen again after 7 years of not having one cus my body’s felling like it was then when I had it could be constipation but stool softeners are barely working

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donnacarp | @donnacarp | Jun 5, 2021
In reply to @austin202001 "When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen..." + (show)
Profile picture for austin202001 @austin202001

When I was 13 I had a bowl blockage and almost had surgery can that happen again after 7 years of not having one cus my body’s felling like it was then when I had it could be constipation but stool softeners are barely working

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I sure feel for you. I struggled for years with constipation and the ONLY solutions I have found are these: Miralax every day, Agiolax (Amazon) every day, 1 stool softener every day, MINIMUM of 1 liter of water every day, the FODMAP diet which takes a lot of study online and stopping the foods that they say to stop, no milk products and lastly being as close to an entirely vegan diet as possible. I eat as many fruits and vegetables that I can always mindful of the low and high FODMAP foods. Personally, I also have to only use Tylenol and not the Advil type drugs since they also constipate me. When my gut is OK, I am OK. It sounds simple but it is not easy. One choice at a time.

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | Jun 5, 2021
In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)
Profile picture for ginpene @ginpene05

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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@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine will ensure that you can identify and pinpoint what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. You will see that I moved your question to a discussion about bowel obstruction. I did this so you can connect with members that have been through similar situations.

Austin, have you been in contact with your physician about your symptoms?

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austin202001 | @austin202001 | Jun 5, 2021
In reply to @amandaa "@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine..." + (show)
Profile picture for Amanda Burnett @amandaa

@austin202001 I agree with @donnacarp. Making sure that you are sticking to a good "gut" routine will ensure that you can identify and pinpoint what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. You will see that I moved your question to a discussion about bowel obstruction. I did this so you can connect with members that have been through similar situations.

Austin, have you been in contact with your physician about your symptoms?

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Thank you for that I still go but it like I have to work hard for 10-15 for a small movement that’s what happend last time

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