The last two being within 1 yr. The pain I go through is incredible. The surgeons and GI doctors I've spoken to all say that there is nothing I can do to avoid another bowel obstruction. There has got to be something that I can do to help prevent future obstructions. Does anyone have any suggestions? I am so worried that this may happen again... the NG tube is the worst! I need to be proactive to make sure I don't get another one... any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Intestinal Obstruction - had 4th bowel obstruction..how can I prevent future bowel obstructions?
Question posted by janicewid on 8 Aug 2012
Last updated on 18 June 2018
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
63 Answers Page 2
Clubdeac
31 March 2017
I had a colectomy as an infant and 39 yrs later have just experienced my first small bowel obstruction. Oh what fun! Fortunately it has resolved with just an NG tube. Interestingly I was eating almonds before it happened. I too am curious what if any advice anyone can give to help prevent this in the future. I eat healthy with lots of chicken, vegetables, fruits and nuts and hate to think that I'm going to have to cut out all these healthy foods bc of these adhesions/ obstructions
loriel59
31 March 2017
I have had over 30 small bowel obstructions in the past 3 1/2 years. I had abdominal radiation 14 years ago.
I have only ended up with an NG tube hospital stay once. All are terribly painful and take several days to pass.
Sadly there is no real cure.
I am a vegetarian and I cannot eat raw veggies, corn or nuts. Cook your vegetables well.
Avoid steak/beef. Take the skin off fruits like apples.
Don't eat seeds. It will not stop a future obstruction or partial, but it helps. Wishing you lots of luck.
stefansusan
27 April 2017
I had to have 13 inches of bowel removed as a result of adhesions following an emergency appendectomy. I concur with what many of the people on this site say: don't eat large meals, and pay attention to your body's messages. If I have that recognizable pain, I immediately stop eating solid food, continue drinking liquids (including Miralax). I avoid things that are stringy (e.g. asparagus bottoms) and things that are indigestible (apple peels). I certainly eat chicken, vegetables, most fruits, and nuts--all in moderation. I also concur with the latest recommendation about massaging your intestine. I stay fit and do yoga. Just pay attention to your body, eat in moderation, and you will catch many of these in time. This September will be my third year without an obstruction (knock on wood, knock on wood).
Jescoto619
23 March 2017
Reading these stories is tough because i know everyones pain. I was 2 years old when i had a major surgery for peritonitis. I was given a 10% chance of survival but im here :) Through my childhood, every year i would atleast have 1 or 2 painful cramps that would last for hours. Allways found out throwing up would help me. Then when i was 20 years old i woke up one day for work and needed to go to the bathroom early in the morning. Then after my bowel movement the pain came. I went to work but then went back home with the worst belly pain. I got home and laid down. The pain was horrible, my body could not stop sweating. Then i passed out. I woke up hours later belly down on my couch. The pain had stopped but when i went to the bathroom i now noticed i had no feeling inside. I couldnt push anymore. Thats when i said to myself its time for the ER. I arrived and they believed it was a blockage. The Ng tube was the worst especially the first time.
I stayed in the hospital for 7 days and nothing was helping my intestines. So my surgery took place on the 8th day. It was a complete blockage in my small intestine. They cut 8 inches off. The worst part was getting my intestines to wake up. I ended spending 23 day in the hospital total with no food or water. Just iv. I am 33 now since then i have been hospitalized 2 times but no surgerys.The last time i was hospitalized in December 24th of 2014 because i had 3 apples with skin. I didnt know that would affect me, it sure did but the NG tube ended up being my friend. I have felt discomfort in my stomach atleast 10 times but i know the feeling just like all of you do. I start drinking lots of liquids right away. At the end of the day this is something we will live with forever but changing the way we eat does help. I am happy to have found this blog. I can now use information from all of you to help me for my future. Thank you and god bless all of you
GregD
6 March 2017
Hi Janice
the Queensland govt department of health has a 3 page dietary pdf that is very good my wife has had 6 bowel obstructions, 2 operations, and I can change a colostomy bag in under 2 minutes!!! So I know diet is extremely important. This pdf is the best we have seen so far and it's seems to be working.
The pdf has the heading "Modified fibre diet for the prevention of bowel obstruction "
Hope this helps.
GregD.
Melissa Mardis
24 Feb 2017
I know exactly how you feel. I have had 15 bowel obstructions with 5 of those ending in surgery. NG tubes are the worse. They can only put one in the left side of my nose the right side is messed up from NG tubes. There's nothing we can do to stop them. We can prolong the episodes by watching what you eat. I haven't had red meat in several yrs red meat is the hardest to digest. I don't eat seeds, nuts, raw vegetables, nothing with skins It has helped. I've had 1 surgery in 5 yrs now.
Ginpene
14 Feb 2017
I have had 4 obstructions in 20 months. Only had NG tube once since vomiting emptied me out early. GI Docs and NPS, surgeons, and dietitians all disagree on the low fiber diet. I have alot of adhesions and will follow a moderate low fiber diet and later plan surgery to remove the adhesions while I'm relatively young and healthy. Good luck to you.
vipers5
15 Feb 2017
a lot of doctors say there is nothing that can be done but they can cut the scar tissue out but that leads to more scare tissue. I had 6 in a row ten surgery in Cleveland ohio. its been 3 yrs. I still have to watch my diet no beef or high fiber . I cut skin off fruit and eat a lot of smoothies. good luck to you all.
Bridget Pope
26 Jan 2017
If you have adhesions then more than likely there is not one thing you can do to prevent future obstructions. Had my appendix out as a teenager. 20 years later had my 1st small bowel obstruction. Surgeon told me at the time that I had a 25% chance of another obstruction. If I developed a 2nd obstruction there was a 100% chance of a 3rd one. I have now had 17 surgeries and too many hospitilizations and obstructions that have resolved on their own. There is some kind of pain every day. Lost one job because of the frequency and lengths of being out of work. Been at current job for almost 7 years. My advice is never find yourself without insurance.
JoshSofer
7 Nov 2016
I understand what a horror this can be. I have had 4 obstructions in less then 12 months and 3 before that. Each time I was in the hospital for 2-3 days. I always refuse the NG tube because I just can not stand it. I feel I have avoided a couple of other obstructions because I have learned what it feels like when it first starts to be a problem. I immediately stop eating and drinking, I don't even drink water. I try and and walk for 20 minutes every 3-4 hours as that seems to help. I am not a doctor so none of what I am saying should be considered medical advice. It just seems to work for me now that I have a feel for what to expect. I never eat any solid substance after 7:00 PM and I never eat large meals. I eat 5-7 times a day but very small meals. I make sure that I drink a lot of water. It seems to work for me now but then, as I said, I am not a doctor. I wish you well as I know what this nightmare is like.
ramberme
25 Oct 2016
I have been living with a very similar problem over the past 8-10 years. It has been a real challenge; the pain of a bowel obstruction is second only to labor pain (or perhaps worse, in that there is no break from it).
I'm not sure I agree with your doctors that there is NOTHING to be done to influence the probability of getting another onstruction.
Everyone is different, but this is how it has worked out for me:
I was able to help myself my sticking to a LOW fiber diet, avoiding anything that would feel tough after I chewed it (so vegetables have to be well cooked and tender, same with meat); chicken and fish do not give me problems, but a steak - disaster!) Also drinking plenty of fluids, and sticking with daily vigorous exercise were both helpful.
Also, making certain to avoid constipation (I am on chronic pain medication for abdominal pain, so I use miralax twice a day no matter what). If I do not have an unstrained bowel movement once a day, I might even take a third dose - this is what my GI doctor recommended, and I have aborted near obstructions by treating very vigorously for constipation when I felt and obstruction coming on (to the point of giving myself an enema, followed by several doses of miralax, then lying down with a heating pad, and above all, trying to stay calm. Still, I have had many obstructions, and yes, hospitalizations with the dreaded NG tube - you might ask them if they would give you a light sedation in the ER before they pass it - that can help a bit - I completely agree, the NG is a horror.
Maintaining weight can be a struggle, because I have come to fear eating, so actually meditating for 5-10 minutes before I eat, and eating small portions frequently throughout the day rather than large meals, have been helpful.
I managed with this program to avoid another operation for lysis of adhesions, as no surgeon recommended it,but lately my hand was forced in a particularly bad obstruction and I am recovering from that - I am only three months out of that surgery but now a host of other symptoms has arisen - I intend to be patient and hope that my bowel motility reaches some semblance of normal.
But the above measures really did help me. As corny as it may sound, I have found thinking of what I have to be grateful for is helpful, as I can get mired in self pity, which does me no good, and using meditation to calm myself when I get too anxious. I do believe firmly that fear and anxiety have a profound effect on the GI tract.
Check with your doctor about a safe program for you for keeping your bowels moving, as I don't feel safe to tell you to use my program with the miralax - but I can say that this was endorsed by my GI doctors, and helped me to avoid many ER visits and hospitalizations.
I really feel for you, and wish you well - this is a condition that has to be experienced to be believed, don't you think?
please feel free to email with any other questions and best of luck to you!
loriel59
25 Oct 2016
Hi
I am curious who you were answering. This site is a little confusing, as it's been going on since 2012.
I just want to say that I love your positivity.
If you look down I talked about my condition in August 2016.
I also want to agree with you that it has to be experienced to be believed. I never had a baby, but I've been told that it's worse. I can go 12-16 hours in non stop insane pain.
Good luck to you going forward.
xo
ramberme
25 Oct 2016
Hi (Lorie, is it??) Marilyn here- I thought I was responding to you! Your post is what I was reading, in any event. I do try to stay positive, but believe me, I am just as subject to self pity as the next person. I have a friend from Russia who actually said "You're lucky... in my country, you would be dead." I laughed at first, but secretly resented her comment a bit, but then I thought, you know, she's right. At least I'm living in an industrialized country with decent medical care. What I also struggle with is anger at medical personnel , some of whose incompetence has contributed to what I am now going through. I'm in a position to judge, as I myself am a physician, though not practicing at present because who wants to see a doctor who is constantly on the way to the hospital, in the hospital, or recovering from the hospital..anyway, I feel for everyone who writes in here, and I so wish there were some better to treat all this misery - but- beats the alternative, right? Best wishes to you and everyone else...
Rob56
30 Aug 2016
What is the cause of the bowel obstructions? Surgery, radiation? Do you have an intestinal medical condition that lead to this condition. The basic causes are: adhesions scar tissue, motility the bowel sections are not pushing things through at a coordinated rate. Try taking Miralax every other night to make sure things are moving or if you feel things are slowing down. If it is scar tissue or radiation treatment there is not much alternatives. Need more information on the root cause of your condition. Eat smaller meal portions through out the day versus larger meals. Stay away from raw vegetables, and vegetables that produce gas like broccoli, and cauliflower. Shrimp is another food to stay away. Keep on lower fiber mechanical soft diet as much as you can. Stay active... walking... drink plenty of water. Really need more information on root cause. Look up my intro to this support group Rob56 and you can see what my experiences come from.
Krowland65
30 Aug 2016
Hi I have had 21 bowel obstructions , but only 12 were hospitalized. I've had 2 Exploratori surgeries . After all this a friend told me to stay away from bread . So that I did ! I have not had another obstruction since. Good luck !
sandyelizabeth
23 Aug 2016
Hi I have had my 3rd surgery as of 08/13 and the DR told me the same thing, nothing I could be doing. It is the most pain I have ever experienced and the only reason the took me to the OR was because of the GI dr. my fear is that if this keeps happening my bowels wont work at all. Good Luck
DAshley02
6 Aug 2016
I have been dealing with terrible abdominal pain and was diagnosed with IBS about 3 weeks ago. I had 2 x-rays done and was told I had backed up poop and needed to take Laxatives,Metamucil, even did Magnesium Citrate. I had been to the ER 3 times due to excruciating abdominal pain,I must say my faith in God(Jesus)helped me from not wanting Cut my guts out and end it all? So I prayed for answers that Dr's couldn't give me as even Cat Scan came back clean. So tonight after taking my Fiancé out to a movie and eating some lightly buttered popcorn, I was feeling the usual,unstable stomach and even had a severe cramping attack. So after taking Extra strength Tylenol to help with the cramping,I proceeded to do my research on IBS and bowel blockages! I was typing in Google to see if anything can help relieve blockages,when I saw " does coke help bowel blockages" as one of the topics.
So I proceeded to read it since I never had heard of Coke for this problem,after reading article, I proceeded to ask my fiance to get me a 2 liter of Diet coke from 711. She brought it home and I drank a nice party cup size of it and after about 4 nice burps, I began to feel the bloating,cramping and uncomfortable backup pain in my belly go away.ITwas a Miracle and actually worked ,had nice bowel movements also,and the studies were right. The acid in Coke is similar to our own digestive acids which helps breaks down bowel blockages. I pray this is my long term fixer,but if not Diet Coke will now be my goto drink for any discomfort. Share this with anyone you know have bowel blockage issues,IBS or whatever, Google the research you will be very happy,I just can't believe it wasn't published more recently and widely so Dr's could recommend it..
kris-hag
8 Aug 2016
We are not discussing IBS (which is a large bowel issue) in this column. We are discussing small bowel obstructions. So, all of your advice does not help a person with small bowel obstructions like myself.
vipers5
10 Aug 2016
our condition. I am going thru the same thing. anytime you have surgeries you develop scar tissue. I had a hysterectomy and appendix removal. I ve had 6 bowel blockages. finally a doctor went and cut thru my bowels so things can pass it was like spider webs of scar tissue. I lost 22 lbs. I eat yogurt low fiber a lot of smoothies. chicken no beef it tends to take forever to digest. hope this helps.
Usekak
5 Aug 2016
I have been experiencing partial bowel obstructions for the last 25 years. I have been able to finally keep myself out of the ER by taking Metamucil daily. A doctor recommended this to me and it has truly been a lifesaver. If you can find the right probiotic, they seem to also be just as effective for me as the Metamucil. I took the Metamucil religiously for years and now that I found a probiotic that works I've been sticking to that. Although I haven't been to the ER in probably seven years I will experience some cramping once in a while. It's always in the evening it seems. I sip on water and it never gets to the point where it used to. I've been lucky to avoid surgery all these years. I do know the frustration and scared feeling adhesions bring. Whenever the cramping would start I would always dread the trip to the ER. For starters I would truly start the Metamucil or Citrucel routine. It's been a lifesaver!
loriel59
6 Aug 2016
I have had about 21 partials and one hospitalization since 9/13. The attacks are violent and last for 12-16 hours of excruciating pain. After it ends I'm sick for days. Since my 10/15 hospital stay I've lost 20+ lbs.
I tried probiotics for 2 yrs. I was told that fiber is NOT my friend, so I fear Metamucil. I try to chew my food as best I can and avoid raw veggies, corn, nuts. I am a vegetarian!
I went to Clear Passage in Florida in April. I have to say that even though I had an attack a month after I returned, I am 2 + months right now without an attack.
I was getting them every 3-4 weeks.
I will keep you all updated. I am hoping that the therapy has helped and will continue to do all I can to avoid surgery.
Good luck to all of my fellow suffers. I know how horrendous it is.
DAshley02
6 Aug 2016
Try Coke product(Coke,Diet Coke or Coke Zero) it worked for me after finding the research on Google about bowel blockages.
loriel59
7 Aug 2016
Thank you DAshley02! This sounds so strange, but at this point I'll try anything!
kris-hag
8 Aug 2016
Metamucil would be great for a large bowel obstruction but not for a small bowel obstruction as this is something that would add bulk and, therefore, block a small bowel if there are issues there like they are with me. Bad advice.
kris-hag
8 Aug 2016
Metamucil is a great remedy for LARGE bowel obstructions. But, this column is mainly discussing the problem with small bowel obstructions and the frustration with that. The remedies for small bowel obstructions are very different and quite the opposite for large bowel obstructions. For the large bowel, you need fiber and Metamucil is helpful because it adds bulk. For small bowel issues, we want to cut down on the fiber intake because the bulk will obstruct. Therefore, you advice is not suitable for this column nor for those of us who suffer from small bowel obstructions.
siuding0601
26 July 2016
I am so glad that I found this forum and know that there are people who suffered SBOs and the horrifying NG tubes...
I am a 27yo female and had surgeries back in 2012 to remove some ovarian cysts, which resulted in a bowel perforation and had to be cut up so they can sew me back up. Had my first SBO June 2015 and it was the worst experience ever. Prior to that, I was already experiencing symptoms (not able to eat as much, constipation, gas, burping, etc) but none of the health professionals I saw was able to tell me that it could be an SBO.
They have to surgically repair it laparoscopically in June 2015 since, sadly, conservative treatment did not resolve it. Just a few weeks ago, I exhibited similar symptoms and vomited 7 hours after eating lunch. Now I have been trying to go back between a liquid diet and also low residue diet but had already lost 7 lbs in two weeks.
I am scared to go do a CT scan to confirm that it was indeed a partial SBO and wonder if you guys can give me some input. I currently don't experience much pain, it's mostly discomfort and bloatedness after eating certain foods. I have also not been exercising as much with being sick (flu) and other things are happening in life...
I have also thought about checking out clear passage in the area (CA) but wanted to see if anyone has had success with it..
Thanks to you all by being here and sharing your stories, it's encouraging to know that there are people who are fighting against SBO bravely and positively.
loriel59
6 Aug 2016
See my above comments. I would certainly try Clear Passage.I believe they are one of the only alternative answers. I appreciate your sharing. I've was contemplating laparoscopic surgery. Hearing that it didn't work for your makes me think I will not do it.
I just need to continue to do the follow up exercises etc that CP told me to do. I didn't do them very regularly due to illness and some life crisis. I will continue now and keep my fingers crossed.
DAshley02
6 Aug 2016
Drink Coke,Diet Coke or Coke Zero it worked for me,goggle the research.Proven by Dr's to destroy bowel blockages
staciecarter
12 Aug 2016
I just had my first bowel obstruction, and it was a nightmare. That nasogastric tube is is just inhumane... but I know they had to do it. I just left the hospital tonight and my stomach still feels sore and bloated. How long before all that resolves? Any advice for a first timer?
Notagainx7
26 June 2016
I know you're pain. I am 55 and have been going through bowel obstructions since the age of 18. I have had 7 bowel obstruction surgeries and have been hospitalized numerous time, so many I could not guess. With me I have some control with what I eat. I stay away from most meats. I eat chicken only, fish should be OK as well. I stay away from anything that is hard to digest, sure h as nuts, corn and uncooked vegetables. Just remember that the more surgeries you have the more chances of another bowel obstruction occurring. Hope this helps.
CA1302
2 July 2016
I am currently in hospital having treatment for my 4th small bowel obstruction, caused by post surgery lesions which have narrowed a part of the bowel. Always had the nasal tube as it is the only way to stop the awful sickness. The pain is horrible I agree. I have been in hospital for four days and am on liquids only. It takes between 7-14 days to get my bowel working normally again. I have taken all the advice on having a low residual diet ( no veg, fruit, cereals, lumps of meat etc etc) but it still happens. I found this site and realise that so many people are suffering the same thing and you are right, the medical profession don't have any answers. I have heard lots of dietitians but no one really knows how to solve the problem. I dread the idea of living on liquids. The last BO happened after a flight so intrigued to hear one theory that there is a connection. Who knows? But I will keep following all your advice and hope for the best. Good luck to everyone suffering from this horrible condition.
Bunnygirl2015
17 July 2016
I have also had several SBOs, 2 SB bowel resections. I have been on mostly full liquid diet for 2 years. Lots of soup, milkshakes (belly likes dairy), yogurt, gf bread, eggs, etc. One thing that helps me is low dose muscle relaxer (flexeril, 1/4 to 1/2 pill) when belly pain is triggered by too much/wrong food, stress, etc. Then back off on food for day or 2, keep the liquids, miralax and acacia fiber going. Before surgery I will have double balloon enteroscopy, so the GI doc can tattoo/biomark the areas with internal strictures so the surgeon has a "map" to follow when he/she operates. It's not ideal, but I haven't been to the hospital for 2 years. Yippee! I hope this helps someone. I hate the NG tube... I love Miralax and acacia fiber (soluble fiber only).
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