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 3
MikSweet24
8 May 2016
I completely feel your pain. I'm there with you right now, after 4th episode of bowel obstruction in 2015.
I was very lucky in a sense that I did not have any bowel obstruction issue for 11 years after my 3rd episode back in 2004. I whole a lot of everything, except for meat and seafood. Since last year's episode, here's what I do: 1) I eat less than before and try my best to chew well before I swallow, vegetables with lots of fiber; 2) drink lots of water constantly; 3) keep a diary of food I eat as well as my bowel movement and my weight; 4) take digestive enzyme as I eat 'dangerous food', like salad; 5) exercise and physically stimulate stomach area; 6) get on liquid diet when I see the need for a whole day; and 7) be very mindful of my body's reaction.
For 6), I use my daily diary to determine when I need to be on liquid diet. I want to reduce a load on my GI system early to prevent future bowel obstruction. That liquid can be juice, kombucha, herb tea and water. I avoid coffee and black tea during these days. I also take digestive enzymes to help clear my GI tract. For what it's worth. Thus far, I was able to eat and enjoy life even after my 4th episode of obstruction.
We should have bowel movement for every meal we have. That is, 2 to 3 times a day. If I have a day of not having a single bowel movement, I know I have a problem. Body weight is also a telltale sign. If my weight increases more than 2 pounds in a day, something must be stuck in my GI system. I make sure I measure my weight at same time of the day so that the results are comparable.
Regarding 5), I stretch and twist. Breath of fire in yoga practice helps, too. That way, I gently stimulate my intestine. I give myself a massage. Occasionally, I do castor oil pack. I walk a lot and do other form of exercise.
I don't think living in fear is an answer. I say this to myself all the time because I also do fall for the temptation living in fear.
By the way, if you can, avoid surgery, unless it is life or death situation. Surgery will help temporarily, but it will cause adhesion; thus, increase the risk of bowel obstruction. It is not a solution. I can say this probably because my problem is simple mechanical obstruction. I realize there are other more complicated cases. You need to know what type of obstruction you have.
Good luck and be well.
stefansusan
27 June 2016
What kind of digestive enzyme do you take?
Lewisdeb091562
5 April 2016
I'll take laxatives 3-4 days in a row then I'll get sick n throw up constantly. Could I be throwing up feces
kris-hag
12 April 2016
Not likely.
vbidwell0921
18 Jan 2016
In 2014 I was hospitalized 7 times and had three surgeries for partial small bowel obstructions. In 2015 between January and August was hospitalized 4 times and had 2 surgeries... Last surgery worked. Laparoscopically my surgeon went through every inch of my small bowel by pulling it up through my naval feeling of it and finally found an internal mass of scar tissue. The past surgeries simply released scar tissue on the outside of the bowel. Once he found and removed the small portion of affected bowel I haven't had an issue. It was a long arduous time, but ask your surgeon if this is an option for you. It worked for me and I thought I would never be cured, but no problems since then.
darcymlamond
10 April 2016
hi
sounds very similar to me... where did you have your surgeries? I'm in Boston and bouncing between Beth Israel and Mass General --- arguably two of the best hospitals in the country... and the internal scar tissue thing keeps recurring...
vbidwell0921
8 May 2016
I live in Orlando. Had my surgery in Florida Hospital. Just ask your surgeon (colon rectal specialist) about this possibility. Best of luck to you.
loriel59
26 May 2016
Wow. I have been suffering from horrible attacks for almost three years. I went to four GI doctors with no diagnosis. They chalked it up to anxiety. REALLY???
I finally had to go to the hospital in 10/15 with a full on obstruction. I have had 20 immobilizing episodes in these 32 months.
I had 35+ pelvic radiations back in 2003. They feel that I have adhesions due to this.
Went to a non invasive "therapy" called Clear Passage in April 2016. Sadly, I have had another attack only 5 weeks later.
Reading your post gives me hope. Can you let me know where you went? I live in NJ, but will travel anywhere for help.
Colonblues
20 Aug 2016
I just read your comment that you live in Orlando, I live in Orlando too and I go to Florida Hospital. Would you mind telling me who your colorectal surgeon was. I see Dr. Albert who replaced my rectum last year because of a tumor, and now a year later there is scar tissue where I had to have a temporary Ileostomy bag and I've been twice in a month and a half with a bowel obstruction. I love my doctor and I think he's the best, but I'm just curious who you have.
Thank you so much!
modeezy
10 Aug 2015
Wow so sorry this is your forth surgery. I had a partial obstruction 3 yrs ago and during my stay in the hospital I opened up on my own. One month ago I experienced the sharp pain again.
Two full days into the pain and my daughter took me to the hospital. The dreaded NG tube was put in and I screamed bloody murder. For whatever reason they put it in wrong and had to redo it. It was in for about an hour and they told me that one was not either. I would not let them put a third in. I was admitted and after three days with no luck I was going to have surgery. They put the tube back in when I was under anesthesia. Waking up from surgery was most pain I ever suffered in my
Life. Was in hospital for nine days. Got
Out and I week later got an infection.
First was put on penicillin and did not work. Noe I am on Levoflaxin 500mg for 10 days. I have a small pea sized hole that is really having a hard time closing up. Have a nurse coming out every day to change the wound. See doc on Tues and still in pain and miserable. Have had
Nausea and two times vomited. Praying I will be ok. A little scared reading these stories. I do not want to have another obstruction. Any advise for me and thanks. You are all rock stars in my book. This is very painful. God Bless all of you
kris-hag
10 Aug 2015
As a nurse, I have put NG tubes in patients and just wanted to let you know that it isn't as easy to do as you think and is not the fault of the practitioner when it doesn't go right. It is very easy to insert it and not get it into the stomach. This is why they need to check it under fluoroscopy to be sure. When you put the tube in, it can easily be inserted into the trachea (tube into the lungs). I've also had the tube curling in the back of the person's throat rather than go down the throat. Believe me, it's just as frustrating for the practitioner as the last thing we want is for our patients to suffer. But, the procedure can be tricky depending on each person's anatomy and any other anomalies associated with that particular patient's makeup. I am sorry that yours was one of those patients that has a difficult go of this procedure.
I really don't have any advice to give at this point other than to "hang in there" and do the best you can. Watch your diet closely. Adhere to a low fiber diet and don't listen to the advice of friends because they think they know the right thing to do but they don't and could actually cause you more harm than good without meaning to do so. Many of them think that more fiber is what you need because that's all we hear about for good large intestinal health. They don't understand that it's the opposite for problems in the small intestine. Do a lot of research from only reputable sources such as the Mayo Clinic website or even Medscape. Be skeptical of what you find on the web to be sure the resources are reliable. Research hospital websites are good places to check. The more you know, the better you can take care of yourself. What helped me a lot was talking to a nutritionist to help improve my digestion. I would highly recommend this.
martinez_v07
8 July 2015
Hi everyone, I have had 5 bowel obstructions. The first one was in 2004- 2008 -2012 this three I had to use the NG tube with no surgery. the 4th one with no NG tube the last one which was in March 2015 I had to undergo surgery now.. I have been told to eat alot of fiber which i believe has caused 3rd constipation since the surgery... I been getting pressured in the anal and once i take laxatives such as enema or magnesium citrate big chunk of stool come out and i feel relieved... is this because of the high fiber diet? i would really appreciate feedback.. :(
kris-hag
8 July 2015
Again, I need to caution you about what kind of bowel obstruction we're talking about here because there is a big difference between small bowel obstructions and large bowel obstructions. The majority of what we are discussing in this blog is SMALL bowel obstruction. This occurs higher up in the digestive system and is usually a result of some sort of trauma to that area either through surgery or, as in my case, radiation treatments for a tumor that was removed near my spine. It is in the small bowel where nutrients from what we eat are absorbed. With small bowel obstructions, you need to reduce the fiber in the diet because the bulk from fiber could cause the obstruction or make an obstruction worse. I think what you had was a LARGE bowel obstruction. That's a lot further down the digestive tract and is where the waste products are formed. This problem is usually treated by increasing the fiber in the diet to help with motility.
I am also a registered nurse and if you were my patient, I would tell you that in addition to increasing your fiber intake, you should also increase your fluid intake because it is in the large bowel that we absorb a lot of our fluids and if we don't drink enough, the stool will be too dry and hard... hence, constipation. What you drink doesn't have to be all water but be aware of what you eat and drink that could be counterproductive (i.e., cheese, milk, etc.) and limit those. Hope this helps you.
stefansusan
8 July 2015
The last emailer was 100% correct. If you have small bowel obstructions, STAY AWAY from fiber, especially "non-dissoluble fiber" (e.g. skins of apples) and stringy stuff like celery and asparagus bottoms. I have had a number of small bowel obstructions, and I watch what I eat, and I still get constipated. I think it's because when they took out a bunch of intestine and joined it up, it's narrower at the seams, takes longer for food to get through, and the longer food stays in your intestines, the harder it gets and the more constipated you get. I have been doing okay by chugging prune juice, and, when that's not enough, a Miralax chaser.
kris-hag
9 July 2015
Be careful with the prune juice as that has a lot of fiber in it. I've been just fine taking the MiraLAX everyday and drinking plenty of fluids.
martinez_v07
9 July 2015
I should of been more expecific! But first thank your for your comments. I all of my obstructions were cause from scar tissue, I was born with Hirschsprungs Disease so I had 10 surgeries. As a result i been having this obstructions. The first three the NG tube worked its magic. The last one I was in the hospital for 35 days I underwent the NG tube multiple times and nothing seemed to work. Until I got the surgery for small bowel obstruction followed by an infection. I ordered the smallest tube to be put it and it worked just the same and it was really less painful! After the surgery i been getting constipated and doctors just tell me to eat more High fiber foods and drink a lot of fluids... Ive taken docusate to soften the stool ive taken magnisum citrate and enemas to cure the constipation but they seem to return..
I will try the low fiber diet and see if that works, I just bought miralax and im going to drink alot of fluids and prune juice to relieve this constipation i have now because I feel like there is a big amount of stool lol THANK YOU SO MUCH ah I feel relieved there are people that understand and i can use it as support. May God Bless YOU ALL
vbidwell0921
10 April 2016
Sounds like a rectocele, which I am way too familiar with. It's an internal protrusion in your rectum where feces get stuck. I have been hospitalized over 19 times in three years and had five surgeries due to partial obstructions. Last surgery they literally went through and felt each section of my small bowel and found a mass of scar tissue and removed that portion. No more hospitalizations! I cannot eat fiber, fruits or veggies. Am gluten free and take Linzess every other night to stay cleaned out. Also have taken a course of Xifaxan for bacterial overgrowth. Have never felt better. Talk to your gastro or surgeon about Xifaxan and Linzess. Works for me after five miserable years of chronic constipation!
sysoption
3 July 2015
I had a severe bowel stricture(diagnosed as crohn disease) and nothing working for me including immune system suppressors.
Finally I found out resveratrol which exists in grape seed.
It also exist in some kind of white wines with different ratio.
I used it for one year and observed considerable improve in my health starting from the first week.
You can try and see the results...
I just wanted to share this information with people who have similar symptoms with me and have no hope about cure.
I hope it works also for you.
Sabharwal
14 June 2015
I had 2 small intestinal obstructions with a lots of pain within one year. Both the times I walked out of the hospital without NG tube or operations. The surgeons suggested me to go through the operation right away and I requested them to wait. I walked around quite a bit and did as much physical movements as I could do. I took some medications so I don't suffer with pain. I came out of the hospital smiling both times.
I consulted several doctors . They suggested me to chew my food, eat low fiber diets and avoid to eat vegetables like broccoli. To avoid constipation, I take MiraLax every day. I may have to stay on it all my life but it is fine, It keeps my stool in liquid form and I don't get constipated. Drink a lot of water and exercise regularly.
Sabharwal
11 Jan 2018
I had intestinal obstruction a few times. All I did was that I completely avoided milk, milk products and any food that creates gas in the stomach like kidney beans etc. Also chew every food good really good. I did not have an obstruction even a single time n the last 3 years by strictly following this practice.
rmcnabb03
13 May 2015
Not an answer just a story.
I am reading your comments because I recently had experienced some pain spells not sure what they are because they go away as quickly as they come one the most recent one causing me to start vomiting. The reason I think it may be a sbo is because in July of 2013 my sister died from septic shock caused by a sbo (no clue if this is most likely to run in families?). She was 44. They never placed an NG tube and never made it to surgery. She had never had an obstruction before but autopsy showed scar tissue resulting in a strangulated bowel with 120 cm of necrotic bowel. She originally went in to the hospital monday evening and died earlier wednesday morning so it was very quick.
My question/point is... I see some of you saying dont go to hospital until start vomiting. This scares me!! I havent made it to the hospital because my pain goes away pretty quickly (usually within an hour). I have been on my way to the er and things will loosen and pain goes away so what am I supposed to say then? But for those of you who know what it is, please dont get complacent about it. I know it is something thst you deal with regularly and I dont mean to scare any of you but please please be careful. This can make you very sick very fast which I am sure all of you know but I just want to tell some of you to please not wait to go to the hospital if you know this is your problem. While I understand an NG tube is miserable, maybe had they placed one in my sister they would have realized she was sicker then they thought.
Maybe this post makes no sense I just feel like some of these posts have been sort on nonchalant and i just want to warn everyone that if it isn't managed correctly it can be more then very serious. Best wishes to you all.
kris-hag
14 May 2015
You are correct. This is nothing to mess around with. My gauge is when I start breaking out in the cold sweats, I know I am in trouble and I go to the ER. One time I went by the paramedics because it happened while I was at work and it wasn't pretty. Good thing that I work in healthcare and there were plenty of nurses around me at the time who knew what to do (I no longer worked inside a hospital but was at the corporate headquarters where I worked on staff education). Many times, my episodes never get too severe and eventually subside. But, I do watch it closely.
suecoff
10 Aug 2015
Had 2 episodes of SBO in the last 4 weeks with 2 hospital stays. First episode with NG tube but not the send episode. I just got out of the hospital yesterday and neither one required surgery. Dr. said High-Fiber but beginning to rethink that. I'm already a vegetarian and eat healthy. I have to admit... I'm scared. Trying to research this and so much confusing info. My SBO was in the same spot... have had 3 abdominal surgeries, radiation therapy for cancer but had never experienced this in the 8 years since my last surgery. I appreciate all of your info because I'm at a loss. Being told it might not ever happen again just doesn't quite ring true to me. Like the idea of adding prune juice and MiraLax. I'll try anything to avoid another attack.
Pinkdebsi
3 March 2015
Hi, my 25year old mentally handicapped son has just been admitted for this 20th bowel obstruction. They have managed to clear it every time with tube and drugs until last August and he needed a op and we'll wait and see what happens this time. Have been told his bowel is very dilated and floppy and it will keep happening.
He is tube fed so gets all the stuff he should so really upset by why this keeps happening
stefansusan
2 Feb 2015
I had a laparoscopic appendectomy for a perforated appendix in January 2013, and then a complete bowel obstruction two months later caused by adhesions. They took out over a foot of bowel. After that I struggled with constipation and have been hospitalized for a partial bowel obstruction. Also a fistula developed because the constipation was so bad.
For what it's worth, here is my advice: don't eat raw veggies, peel your fruit and potatoes, try to eat small helpings, take Miralax at the first sign of constipation, don't go to the ER until you start throwing up, drink plenty of liquids all the time, and do exercises like yoga to keep moving your organs around and moving things in them.
Good luck. The uncertainty plays havoc with your mental health and the pain is really not describable. I am focused on avoiding another abdominal surgery--won't get one unless they tell me I will die without it.
cashew12
2 Feb 2015
I've been reading through all the posts and comments. I saw a nutritionist that said much of what I read here; lots of water, don't go fiber crazy by adding fiber or buying high fiber products, but eat lots of vegetables, stay away from gassy foods, no seeds, no nuts and to eat healthy fats throughout the day. I'll grab a spoonful of peanut butter as I run out the door in the morning, some avocado or olives at lunch, add olive oil to salads and/or while cooking.
I recently started the Whole30. It's like a cleansing diet. I followed it for 30 days and feel less bloated and have had regular bowel movements. What I also like is the reintroduction part to see if any of the foods I've eliminated have an effect on my gut. The only part I didn't adhere to was the part of the plan that says to only eat 3 meals a day and try to avoid snacking. I think its important for us to eat small portions throughout the day.
So I guess I'm using a combination of the Whole30 and the nutritionists advice.
My GI doctor also sent me for a colonoscopy after the last obstruction that released in Dec. 2013 to try to shake things up. He said hopefully it'll keep me out of the hospital for 10 or so years. I don't get it. If it can stay away for 5 or 10 years, why not forever. It is a VERY frustration problem, emotionally as well as physically.
God Bless
kris-hag
6 Feb 2015
I'm seeing some confusion in some of these posts. Let's be careful about what kind of bowel obstruction you're talking about because a small bowel obstruction cannot be treated in the same way as a large bowel obstruction. Constipation is usually not the issue with small bowel obstruction therefore, lots of veggies and fiber are not recommended and in fact could make things worse.
Sabharwal
4 July 2015
I agree with Stefansusan 100%. I avoided surgery twice by exactly doing the above. To find the exact cause of pain and obstruction, I may be going through CT Scan with contrast next week. Give a chance for obstruction to clear up by itself rather than taking advice of doctor to go for surgery right away. Doctors suggest it to protect themselves legally. Chew food really good. I take twice the time eating everything now.
chipu
9 Dec 2014
Hi everybody! Reading all those posts it seems to me that sometimes the human sufferance has no limit...
Shortly, my story: mid September surgery for a minor supra umbilical hernia (Laparoscopic surgery). They placed a mesh and sent me home the day after. The following days didn't went too well for me but after a while everything was fine. Two month later I reach ER after several hours of pain and the day after I'm again on surgery: my small bowel adhered to the mesh and led to a type of sbo which, according with the surgeon, he never met.
Now I'm like 1 month since the second surgery and I recovered quite well. The only question mark I have is that sometimes I feel like small pains (intensity 2-3, from 1 to 10) on my abdominal area (it might be on the right or on the left, but mostly around umbilical area). Also, if I stretch i feel like a tension inside me. I asked my physician and he said that it should be no pain and let him know if things get worse. On the other hand, I know he never met such a sbo like mine so he's telling me the "correct answer."
Basically, my question is if this minor pain is part of the healing process or maybe it's a new sbo developing "quietly"? I don't think there is something which I can do to prevent.
stefansusan
2 Feb 2015
If it's only been a month since your surgery, your sutures are probably still healing. I had that sense of "tightness" when I stretched for a few months after the surgery. I also had 2-3 level pain on my right and left abdomen. that went on for almost a year and very slowly diminished.
jemangel
7 Nov 2014
No one has mentioned Serraptase yet. Read up on it... Pretty amazing. The enzymes in it will eat up scar tissue. I found out about it, too late when I had fibroids.
Also, For keeping the intestine clean and moving - try my new fav thing (in hospital now! Wish I had it w me!). Morninga Tree powder - a super green food. Works on anti inflammatory and better than any high fiber you get over the counter. Inexpensive and avail lots of places online! $16 for a pound. I put mine in youtube on salads in soups.
ALSO always recommend people call the Agape Prayer line in Los Angeles look it up online, n have a Practioner hold it with you.
Best blessings
J
jemangel
9 Dec 2014
YES - I have a new answer for everyone!!!
Since we have bowel obstruction history - how to avoid it again is to take CALM Magnesium Powder every other day or so. (CAUTION: take wayyy less than they say, like only 1/4 tsp) It is the MOST assimilable magnesium there is!!!
It has changed my life and my terror of GI obstruction.
I can't believe no doctors are talking about this.
It works for me SO much better than any fiber.
Never go back to the ER again!
And, if you want to know the other wonderful plusses for magnesium
Dr. Carolyn Dean's website says volumes!!!
Happy colon health!
JEm
kris-hag
12 April 2016
You are talking about colon health here. We are not talking about this in this blog. We are talking about SMALL bowel obstructions. This has nothing to do with constipation. That is the LARGE intestine or colon. If you are going to be giving advice about something, please be sure that you have the right problem. Treatments for large intestine and small intestine are the opposite. The causes of these two obstructions are by different causes. For small bowel obstructions, it's NO or LOW FIBER. Fiber will block the small intestine and will not help keep it clean and flowing.
adairlyn
7 Aug 2016
Small bowel obstructions can be caused by intestinal inertia which can lead to not emptying sufficiently or constipation. I have had this over 50 times. It for me is caused by radiation and multiple abdominal surgeries. I had a lysis of adhesion's only 8 months after my 1st abdominal surgery. Trying not to have a second as the scar tissue or adhesion's will only grow back fast and furious. I do not have all the answers for me as I still suffer with the blockages have read and am trying multiple things including diet low residue. No corn, popcorn, nuts, I am careful with cruciferous vegitables. I try to have a semi-liquid diet protein shakes, smoothies, and very small portions of any food, soup, clear and full liquids. Plus I am on medication to promote movement of my intestines.
court914
4 Nov 2014
This is not an answer just my story. I had colon cancer in 2006 and had my ascending colon removed. Following that I had a round of chemo and radiation. Just after the surgery I was having severe cramping and back pain which would go away after 1/2 hour. The surgeon had me do a bunch of testing but found nothing and after a month or so I had no more episodes. Fast forward 5 years later, I started having the same pain but like 5 years before I figured it would resolve on it's own. After a few hours I could not take it anymore and went to the emergency room vomiting on the way. I could hardly stand. Once I finally got some pain medication the pain went away and then came the NG tube. Four days later I was released and figure it was a one time thing and went on my merry way. ^ months later I was back. This time I persuade them not to do the NG tube and I was out within 12 hours.
Ever since then I have been in the emergency room 15 times over the last 4 years with 1 exploratory surgery to look around with only diagnosis being scar tissue and if they tried to fix that it could possibly get worse. My general practitioner try giving me Norco to try to kill the pain but I found that if your blocked up the Norco can't get where it is need to be absorbed. Anyway all I seem to need is pain management to get me through a few hours of this pain and it will resolve itself, but every time I go in they treat me as if this was the first time and the bill ends up being between $9000 and $18000 dollars for an average of 12 hours stay. I wish there was something that I could have at home so I could manage the pain for a few hours that does not need to be taken orally. Maybe medicinal marijuana? Anyone have another type of pain management to try?
Melika Bee
6 Nov 2014
Hello all... My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering here:(. Here are my suggestions: kefir, aloe vera, trifala, zymactive ( protelytic enzymes), curcumin, DGL, apple cider vinegar, marshmallow, 5htp and LGlutamine. Please google and research to see which one meets your needs. They are either soothing to digestion, or assist digestion. Also tummy massage, yoga, strectching, twisting, swimming, self tummy massage, castor oil packs. Possibly enemas and colonics, juicing, deep breathing exercises... Most of loving your tummy and thanking it for how hard it works ❤
kris-hag
12 April 2016
I am a nurse and can tell you that the problem with Norco is not that it is unable to get past a blockage to get absorbed. It gets absorbed much higher in the GI tract than that. But, what I caution you about Norco or any opioid (narcotic) is that they slow down the movement of the GI tract. If you are having bowel issues, a narcotic will only make things worse. I am sure that Marijuana will have the same effect. I was told by my doctor that just about any prescription pain medications (narcotic or not) have constipation and slowed GI motility as a side effect. Be careful with those drugs.
Sonia Micallef
27 Oct 2014
Hi,
I know it over 2 yrs since your problem with obstructions . I was wondering did u get sorted . I've just had elective surgery to solve a stricture that caused a blockage . I'm 7 weeks post op and feel good .
DanaMorin
28 Oct 2014
I've gained insight on the above comments. I've suffered my third bowel obstruction, I've had 2 previous surgeries and am a survivor of colon cancer. The NG tube, is very much disliked, but in the end relieves pain). I will try many of the tips mentioned in earlier comments (smaller amounts, increase water). Wish me luck!
court914
4 Nov 2014
I have been in the hospital for this 15 time over 4 years and only had the NG tube once, the first time. Ever since then I have refused it and everything resolves within a few hours with pain meds. I know that the procedure includes that tube but with the tube I was in the hospital 4 days and the other 14 times or so I get out in about 12 hours with about 4 hours of just waiting to get discharged.
Scrowe
14 Aug 2014
I have exactly the same thing, 5 times now! I am told the same thing, I am so frustrated that something so painful and debilitating is something I just have to live with and can't do anything about. I keep having to take sick leave which I have used up, is there any cure at all?! The NG is horrific and I'm told its harder for me because the geography behind my nose if different, so when I get one of these they have 10 attempts at putting the bloody thing in and I'm vomiting blood by the end of it. It is not good enough!
weathergirl15
13 Sep 2014
I am both happy and sad to find all of you. In same boat as many of you. I had sarcoma like one of the other posters here. It was in my lower left trunk/abdominal wall area. I had two surgeries related to its treatment, plus radiation. Since then, I've been hospitalized twice with obstructions, where I didn't have immediate surgery - one time had NG tube for 5 days; other time didn't have the tube. I've had three surgeries related to obstructed bowels now -- two were because hernias were obstructing bowel, one was from intestinal adhesions. I hate hate hate NG tubes. Two of these surgeries were last year. Now, I think I have another obstruction forming. I'm going to try to do a low-fiber/low residue diet for now and see if that helps. I'm having severe bloating, gas, some nausea, tons of loud rumbling. If I can avoid an ER trip, an NG tube, and surgery, that's what I'm going to try to do. Welcome thoughts on this. Does everyone else usually have the loud rumbling when they are having a new blockage form?
kris-hag
3 Nov 2014
I've sometimes had loud rumbling. I've also had lots of what is referred to as high-pitched tympanic sounds. And, I've also had silence which isn't good either. I think it depends on whether the obstruction is complete or partial. One thing that I do is sip hot water and put a heating pad on my belly. It seems to help as it helps to relax everything. I think someone earlier talked about pureed food but I have to tell you that this doesn't work. I had a dietician tell me that if the food has a lot of fiber in it, pureeing it won't remove the fiber. It's just like chewing up food really good and once it's in your belly, the fiber is still there and can cause issues. And it doesn't matter if it's soluble or insoluble fiber. Fiber is fiber and it can get you into trouble if it's too much at once. And I think that stress is a huge factor. When I was working, I averaged an episode at least weekly.
I've been retired for a year now and I just went 9 months without an episode and this last one was not that bad. It occurred after getting a flu shot. I was told to be careful because when your immune system is under attack, it can stress you. Stress causes the release of cortisol which can actually slow your stomach down. It's the 'flight or fight' thing and my nutritionist told me that when your body is in that mode, it's more in line with running away instead of digesting food. So the rule for me is if I've under any stress at all, I don't eat until I've done some relaxation exercises. It does help.
vipers5
8 Nov 2014
small meal digestive enzymes.. papaya pills no red meats unless ground up. low fiber low fat diet. very important protein shakes I personally like shakology !
zippycat
9 June 2015
I have had many small bowel obstructions or partial small bowel obstructions over the past 5 years. I have been to the ER a few times and have gotten relief from morphine and anti-nausea drugs. I refused admission and the ng tube because after hours of pain and vomiting, it decompresses itself and I am ok until the next time. I finally found a gastroenterologist who after many tests, as well as knowledgeable suspicion, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease which has caused narrowing of my small intestine. I am on a low residue diet (look it up) which is just the opposite of fiber. Fiber, including laxatives with fiber, are contraindicated in much small bowel disease. I am being treated for Crohn's, but I have recently had two small bowel obstructions which I believe was caused by stress since I know I did not eat anything to cause it. Also, flares are more common in spring and fall. So if the cause is not adhesions, look for other causes.
I have not had any surgeries of any kind, but I have taken a lot of ibuprofen through the years, and that can be a causative factor in inflammation of the small bowel.
Related topics
intestinal obstruction, pain, doctor
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