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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Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Mar 26 2:53pm

In reply to @janetwass "Personally I would keep using Miralax... my gastroenterologist said there is no harm using it forever..." + (show)

I wish there were a smiley face to click on ‘cuz reading your comment made me smile. I just started Miralax and I also consume quite a bit of olive oil. FWIW, it seems to taste totally different at different times (just in case you think EVOO may be helpful). 😀

janetwass | @janetwass | Mar 26 3:33pm

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Thanks so much for your comments! I might try olive oil as well. I had to look up FWIW and EVOO and now I know their meaning so I learned something today! Gracias!!

Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Mar 26 7:02pm

In reply to @janetwass "Thanks so much for your comments! I might try olive oil as well. I had to..." + (show)

Sorry for being lazy and not spelling them out. 🙂 This is my go-to… https://www.queencreekolivemill.com/ I also tried a taste testing sample pack from a different online olive oil store. It had 6 smaller bottles of a wide variety of oils, made me realize there a huge difference in flavors.

catartist | @catartist | Mar 28 5:09pm

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

I suffered with horrific SBB attacks for 8+ hrs from early 40’s to 60s - hospital for pain meds -Morphine etc. always had to know where hospital was ( but lived a very busy life in spite!! own Bizet. - 3 kids, 8 grands. After 4 years they dared to start me on Muscle reliever -Bentyle . Often it would abort the worse of it and under tough nausea meds. I still have occasions to use it but no hospitals for maybe 10 years. DO not have surgery for it if can help it - it just adds more scaring! Best- terrible pain!! Best!

rmgreen | @rmgreen | May 19 1:23pm

In reply to @ginpene05 "This is my 5th SBO with hospitalizan in 18 months, due to adhesions. No surgery yet,..." + (show)

Had a small bowel resection 6 years ago and subsequently had two additional blockages requiring surgery plus two partial blockages requiring hospitalization. On top of that both times I had surgery umbilical hernias developed requiring the placement of mesh. Last two partial blockages required hospitalization but resolved themselves with belly rest (NG tube, pain meds, etc). My doctor says my reoccurring blockages are result of adhesions. I have tried to change my diet mainly eliminating red meat (very hard for a steak lover), eating smaller more frequent meals, practicing deep tissue massage when I have flare ups, etc. Seems as if I am troubleshooting my gut at most times. Extremely frustrated. Just mainly trying to do anything I can to stay out of ER / hospital because that is pure torture.I have seen several discussions on here addressing this issue and I am probably sounding like a broken record but man am I tired of having to deal with these reoccurring issues. Tired of “crying wolf” and getting CTs and going back to doctor to get told same thing. At this point I know I have no choice but to manage it the best I can.I am very lucky to have a caring sister that is a nurse practitioner to ask the right questions and give me guidance. Going to hospital alone would be a very scary situation which is very unfortunate.I found this site and thought I’d see if anyone had any additional information. I know there are many others with same condition that most likely are more severe. I have a lot of sympathy for anyone that has to deal with these reoccurring bowel issues. Thanks in advance for anyone’s suggestions.

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | May 20 7:35am

In reply to @rmgreen "Had a small bowel resection 6 years ago and subsequently had two additional blockages requiring surgery..." + (show)

@rmgreen
I am sorry to hear of your suffering. You may want to work with a nutritionist/dietitian to help you with a diet that reduces the chance for complications and pain plus reduce inflammation. You want to make sure get the proper nutrition and may need supplements to support overall health.

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15254-abdominal-adhesions
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intestinal-obstruction/symptoms-causes/syc-20351460

skim3737 | @skim3737 | May 20 2:59pm

In reply to @rmgreen "Had a small bowel resection 6 years ago and subsequently had two additional blockages requiring surgery..." + (show)

I don't know if your doctor suggested it but the diet that you want to follow for strictures from adhesions is the low residue diet. Low to no fiber and anything else that is difficult to digest, such as red meat as you've already eliminated. Raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds all are other foods to avoid. I've been dealing with bowel strictures since 2002, had 2 resection surgeries and one exploratory for what turned out to be an adhesion but no further surgeries since that last one in 2013 because more surgeries mean more and worsening adhesions. I know it's difficult to give up foods that you enjoy but at some point those foods that used to look so appetizing and tempting eventually just represent hours and hours of excruciating pain and vomiting. I used to love a good ribeye but haven't had steak in probably 13 years but I don't even miss it because all I can think of when I see steak is absolute torture. There are really helpful food lists and recipe ideas when you Google low residue diet.

skim3737 | @skim3737 | May 20 3:03pm

In reply to @rmgreen "Had a small bowel resection 6 years ago and subsequently had two additional blockages requiring surgery..." + (show)

Also I have found it helpful and at this point necessary to take stool softener (colace) 3 times a day and sometimes a laxative as well, just to make sure that things keep moving in the digestive tract. It's easier to pass BMs when they are soft or liquid versus more firm.

rmgreen | @rmgreen | May 20 7:49pm

In reply to @rmgreen "Had a small bowel resection 6 years ago and subsequently had two additional blockages requiring surgery..." + (show)

Thank you for the reply. I will check on the low residue / low fiber diet.

rmgreen | @rmgreen | May 20 7:56pm

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@rmgreen I am sorry to hear of your suffering. You may want to work with a..." + (show)

Thank you for the reply and links. I will check on a nutritionist.

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