Need Info on Partial Obstructions

Hello, I'm no stranger to HW, but this is my first post on this forum. I have prostate cancer (aggressive) and post there. But I am having major gut problems and I'm seeking help here.

I am 66. about 35 years ago, after years of assorted intestinal problems, I was dx. with Crohn's based on colonoscopies. I had apthous ulcers in the terminal ileum. Although I was quite ill, my GI doc. still suspected I did not have Crohn's as I was not really "sick enough." Eventually, a new GI doc (old one retired) said the Fleets Phospha Prep could cause such problems by itself.

So, we switch to Go Not So Lytely. Anyway, subsequent colonoscopies were clear and eventually my symptoms went away, except that every so often I get pretty bad constipation. I was also able to stop taking asacol, as of at least 15 years ago (it worked better than pentasa). Anyway, I tend to agree with my GI docs. that I don't have Crohn's.

In February, I ended up in the ER and eventually had my gall bladder out. I had a stone there for 35 years, never any symptoms, until ...KABOOB. Anway, it turned out my gb was gangenous/necrotic. It was nasty. I was in the hospital for 2 extra nights, but recovered uneventfully, with no SE (still could eat anything).

Fast forward to this month. I started getting the usual constipation but now it has gotten far far worse. I have minuscule bms 2 out of 3 days, but they are puny. I am getting tremendous pressure/discomfort across my abdomen. I cannot seem to have a decent bm.

The surgeon ordered an ultrasound and I will get those results Monday (blood tests too). It really feels like I would expect an obstruction to feel like. But there is no spasms or cramping. Just total bloating/discomfort 24/7 and a very very slight nauseous feeling. No vomiting.

From my reading, I might suggest a regular abdominal flat screen x-ray as it seems useful is dx. an obstruction.

This might just be simple constipation, but I don't have a good feeling about it. I suspect an obstruction or possibly adhesions as my surgeon said there was lots of scar tissue from a previous umbilical hernia surgery and the robotic prostate cancer surgery.

While the big fear is cancer, that is not very likely. I had a clear colonoscopy in 2008 and prostate cancer RARELY goes to the GI area (it goes to bones).

So, I seek advice from you all. Does this sound like a partial obstruction. I guess for those who had such obstructions, what does it feel like.

Oh, Miralax used to work decently when I had constipation, but it doesn;t seem to be doing the job now. I don't know whether to try milk of magnesia.

My Gi doc. is overworked and trying to get an appointment is like pulling teeth. She did order a gastric emptying test for next week. I'm not sure I want to bother with that.

Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciate

Mel

 

First, I want to say how sorry I am that you are going through all of this! I have Crohn's Disease... Finally got diagnosed in Aug. 1996 after 4 years of being very sick. I have had 2 bowel resectionings since...the first one was when I was 19 and the second one on June 20, 2011...this one last year was because I had a complete blockage, I had never had a blockage before and I simply thought it was constipation, which I rarely have, but it was a different type of pain so I didn't think it was my Crohn's. I tried laxatives, didn't help, I let it go for about a month before I finally called my doctor. My problems were that I had HORRINDOUS pain, my stomach was extremely swollen, bloating, severe cramping, it got til were I felt like I could barely breathe, were my stomach was so swollen and full. It was excruciating but mine was completely blocked. I'm very small, I weighted like 94 lbs before this, but you could literally sit and watch as my intestines contracted, they would raise the skin on my stomach. I got til were I couldn't even drink anything without it making the pain get worse, I started vomiting, I couldn't hold anything done, therefore, I got extremely dehydrated and was very malnourished. It was the worst experience I have ever had with my Crohn's Disease. You definitely need to get it taken care of before it turns into something worse, because it can be very dangerous if left untreated. I really hope everything works out for you. I don't want to scare you but this is what I experienced with my blockage. It was very scary because my surgeon told my husband and I that he didn't see how my intestines hadn't ruptured and I was very lucky they didn't! I learned what it felt like to have a complete blockage and it's something that I wouldn't want anyone to experience. Im doing good now. I wish you the best.

I have too much experience with both partial and complete obstruction s unfortunately! Your symptoms could be partial obstructions or constipation..I know..not at all helpful!my symptoms have been what has been described as wave like horrible pains that brig me to my knees. I usually have either diarrhea or very small stools with a partial,absolutely nothing passing..even gas..with a complete one. It can be frustrating knowing the difference and sometimes I just have to wait and see. My bloating usually comes from diet and huge amounts of gas. I get confused with my own symptoms but I would say the X-ray is an excellent idea and or a cat scan. It will usually tell if there's some structure or inflammation. If I'm working on an obstruction..which I think I am right now.. I just cannot even tell. Eating hurts and sometimes drinking fluids hurt. If the pain changes for the worse or gets to be too different, I would say go to the er. They can always check things out right then. Sorry if this isn't too helpful! I've had several resections and know I also have adhesions on top of crohns so for me, it's just a big complicated picture!adhesions can be just a lot of trouble and painful. When I'm inflamed, my pain gets so much worse because I think things are more tacked down and any inflammation causes everything to move I ways it's not meant to!
Don't be afraid to seek more help if you need to. No one will hurt except you!sending you positive thoughts!!

Coalminer's Wife described my bowel obstruction to the letter PLUS I began vomiting what smelled and tasted like feces. Not only had I fully obstructed but they insisted I had perforated as well.

I spent 6 weeks in hospital on IV fluids (no TPN back then) and an NG tube before "emergency" surgery to resect 18" of my mid-ileum.

I was told I had a 60% vs 40% chance of the Crohn's returning but the odds sounded darn good to me at the time!! At 5" 4" I weighed 89 lbs and looked like a walking cadaver.

I was BLESSED W/A 20 YEAR REMISSION of any and all disease activity after that resection!!!

At least some little bit is moving thru!

But let me explain what is going on if it is a high grade partial obstruction: the intestine just proximal to the obstruction is loading up w/feces and air and dilating. This causes inflammation which over time becomes scar tissue and the dilation becomes permanent. More feces can continue to build up before moving thru causing further dilation. Eventually perforation of the distended portion becomes almost inevitable unless relief is provided (strictureplasty, resection or perforation).

At one point the area above my obstruction was as large as my stomach.

Peritonitis is life threatening. Read up on it.