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Partial obstructions, other issues weeks after bowel resection
Hi everyone! I'm really hoping someone can give me some insight. I have crohns, was diagnosed about 15 years ago. I never had any symptoms except for a fistula 15 years ago and then apparently I had inflammation which created some strictures in the small ilieum. I lived with that a year or two, and just had a bowel resection in February. The recover was great, no issues at all. I was eating great, normal bowel movements. Then at week 9, I ate something and within 30 minutes the top of my stomach started to feel crampy. Well, it really got worse overnight where it felt like contractions. I neded up going to the hospital, they did a CT scan and said I had a partical obstruction in the same place??? Then of course some air and inflammation which caused me to look 5 months pregnant. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days. I NEVER had this happen before. The surgeon said it could just be some inflammation and check it again in 6 weeks with my GI. I'm on a low residue diet and if I eat any sugar or anything, my stomach cramps. It's so frustrating to have a surgery to feel better.. and now I almost feel worse.
Has anyone gone through this? Is this rebound inflammation from surgery? I'm so bummed this is happening....
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@hoagie ask if they will approve removing that bad part of your intestines even if it means a colostomy bag for awhile or for good because it is affecting your mental health along with danger of sepsis each time . I have had 2 Small bowel obstructions due anastomis strictures and sepsis etc and it is most horrible pain imaginable. Go before a appeal board or whatever you have to do to get relief. Please see a dietician who can guide you how,what,
when to eat. Glad I did.
Advocate for yourself because only you know how bad these obstructions are. Prayers also.
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2 Reactions@musicjewishcarp2008
They won't give me a colostomy bag because my intestines are too small to attach it to. And they are reluctant to do any more surgery because of the number of previous surgeries and because of my age. I'm 68 years old.
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2 Reactions@hoagie
Get as many opinions from experts as you can and get instructions to love a better life as is. I am 74 so I understand. Plus I dont know all your history and ongoing other problems you deal with. Pray.
When I couldn't go on that's what I did and Jesus gave me the solution for MY situation.
Everyone needs a personal faith and specific answer. Love to you.
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1 Reaction@mindy78 Are you having normal bowel movements? I think mechanically, if things are working - then that's a great sign! I'm unfortunately still having issues and they figured out what the issue was. My scar tissue grew so fast after surgery at the astamosis site, that it closed up. My opening was 1/3 size of a piece of corn which wasn't confirmed until 5 months after my bowel resection in a colonoscopy. By that time I had over 4 partial bowel obstructions... all CT and MRI scans came back normal since some fluid was still moving. CRAZY! Dont let Dr.s tell you that you're crazy or imagining things. Be your best advocate.
My local GI wanted me to get another bowel resection... but Mayo did a balloon dialiation in that area and also, placed stents. The stents fell out within 3 weeks - so that didn't work. So I went back and they "winged it". They saw that where the stents were placed at the astomosis, my intestine prolapled. They were able to place temp sutures in the area. I was then able to eat after 8 months of a liquid diet. BUT since they were temp stitches (cause they didn't know if this would work), 3 months later I started having symptoms again. So for the past year or so Ive been on soft foods. But I'm happy to just be eating anything, honestly. My appt is in 2 week to get permanant sutures via colonoscopy in that area. Now.. this was a TEST. They've never done this before so it's published study now.
I know our situations are different but be your best advocate and get opinions. Mayo is amazing and greatful they didn't want to rush me back for a bowel resection. I may have to do it eventually if this final procedure doesn't work, fingers crossed.
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3 Reactions@mindy78
I had an emergency small bowel resection in 2021. They removed 6 feet (yes feet). They never knew what caused it. Anyway, about 10 weeks afterwards I started having cramping pains and bloating. They did a scan and decided there was a stricture (narrowing) at the surgical connection from scar tissue. They put me on a low fiber diet and said eventually I would need to get it taken care of. Finally about 18 months later I had it repaired. Unfortunately all of this has exasperated my IBS and introduced SIBO along the way. But I manage. Anyway, there is a type of scan that takes several hours where you drink contrast like every 30 minutes and they take a picture to see how quickly it is moving through your bowel. This will tell them if there is any partial obstruction due to scar tissue from your previous surgery. That's what I would ask for. Also, don't just take one doc's opinion. Find someone who can tell you what's going on.
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2 ReactionsAlmost every month I'll end up in the hospital for partial bowel obstructions. 90% of the time they put the nasal gastric tube down my nose. Within 6 to 7 days the obstruction is relieved. If I can make it to the Veteran hospital near Boston. I'd rather go there. If I'm in too much pain, I'll call an ambulance. And go to the local hospital. I like the hospital here. The staff there is great. Except for one doctor. He seems to keep trying to get me to have surgery to remove more scar tissue. I know if I have more surgery I'll end up with more scar tissue. So, I told the doctor surgery as a last resort. I know they like to do surgery. He gave me an attitude last time and says, "we'll see you next month". I plan to tell the hospital that I don't want that doctor on my medical team or near me. I just have to figure out a nice way to say it.
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1 ReactionDear @hoagie, I have pancreatic cancer, went thru Chemo and then Chemo-Radiation which caused inflammation in my intestines. This led to an obstruction which caused weeks of throwing up and pain. I just received a metal stint in my intestine yesterday so I don’t have an answer for how this will play out. The original plan was to replace a plastic bile duct stint with a metal one.
I share this with you as a stint maybe an option. I’m sure I’ll be back on Chemo w or w/o radiation as the tumor seems to be causing part of the obstruction. I wish you the best care you can receive going forward. Hang in there, that’s what we do.
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2 Reactions@ttheo did the scar tissue come back again at the surgical site from the 2nd surgery? Did they do another bowel resection? I’m scared if I get another resection the same thing will happen again
@nfm I'm sorry to see all what you're going through. My doctors all say stick with a soft food diet. I've been trying to stick to it. I hope and pray for you.
Dave
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4 Reactions@st150799
Well that's a good question. I don't think so, but I don't know for sure. Part of my problem is I struggle with Ibs and sibo which have symptoms that can mimic a partial obstruction like bloating and constipation. Im guessing my bowel anatomy is compromised in some way. Whether its a slight narrowing or maybe a loss of elasticity. I am managing my symptoms right now so I wouldn’t have another resection unless the doc orders a scan and tells me I need to. I see him next month. Have you ever been tested for sibo?