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Recurrent small bowel obstructions without prior surgery
Hello. I am a healthy 37 year old F suffering from recurrent SBO for a few years now. Episodes have gotten more frequent recently and soreness afterwards seems slightly worse. I’ve researched that adhesions from surgery is a primary cause yet I haven’t had any surgeries or any other health issues. I am hoping to hear from others who’ve had recurring SBO without prior surgery. Did you have adhesions? If so, what were they caused from? If not, what was the cause of your SBO. I do have a GI appointment coming up but it’s hard not to constantly think about this in the meantime. Also, my GI appt is just for an office visit but I’m sure further appointments will follow. What should I expect? Colonoscopy or endoscopy or something else?
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I've had multiple SBO due to adhesions myself but my aunt started having them about 10-15 years ago without history of abdominal adhesions. The first one seemed like a fluke to her doctor but over the years they became more frequent, just like in your case. About 2-3 years ago she had another one and they decided to do small bowel resection surgery. Afterwards her doctor told her that he believes that what caused the strictures in her intestines was the prescription NSAID med she had been on for years for psoriatic arthritis. I think it may have been methotrexate. Really surprising that such an innocuous medication could have played a role in damaging her intestines this way, although I guess we never really know what the long term effects of any drug are until they arrive. Maybe you can discuss any medications or supplements with your GI that might be involved. I also highly recommend researching online any meds or supplements that you take on a regular basis to see if there are any mentions of digestive system or intestinal side effects. Praying you get some answers!
I am 77 years old and started having bowel problems several years ago. I had 3 inpatient trips to hospital with obstructed small bowel. Last one was 6 months ago. GI doctors call it a pseudo small bowel obstruction and I have been on 2 prescriptions for over a year. They must help but I still had my last obstruction after being on those meds. GI doctors tell me to eat whatever I want. They say there is nothing further they can do and will see me in a year. They did say if I am passing gas it isnt an obstruction so if I get the terrible pain but am passing gas I dont go to the hospital but take as much pain meds as possible and hope thecpain goes away eventually.
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2 ReactionsI'm so sorry that you're going through this. May I ask what medication they prescribe for pseudo SBO?
Hi Sarah! I had a small bowel obstruction twenty years ago, which required surgery. Turned out to be malrotation of the intestines, which is a genetic defect. I was lucky enough to have a surgeon who recognized the condition upon doing exploratory surgery. I doubt that this is what you have (it's very rare), but worth asking about. I'm sorry you are having to go through this, and wishing you the best of luck!
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2 ReactionsJamp pyridostigmine 60 mg and jamp Prucalopr8de 2 mg.
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1 ReactionPrucalopride
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1 ReactionThank you. I'm also on prucalopride.