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Does this sound like partial bowel obstruction or just regular CD symptoms

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Posted 1/20/2011 8:14 PM (GMT 0)

    Hi, my name is Paul and I live in Massachusetts.  Although I have medical insurance, I haven't seen a GI for over 3 years, since I have been managing my Crohn's by myself with Chinese herbs.  I am not sure how long this will last though.

 

    During the past several weeks, I have developed a new symptom like this pattern:  I have pretty severe abdominal pain for like 20-30 minutes, accompanied by a large bowel movement.  Then everything quiets down.  During the following 2-3 days I would either have no or minimal bowel movements, with no or minimal symptoms at all.  After this 2-3 days of hiatus, then the pattern repeats itself with severe abdominal pain and large bowel movement, and so forth.

  

    Does this sound like a partial bowel obstruction or just regular Crohn's symptoms?  I have had a stricture in my small intestine for over 10 years.  If it's an obstruction, then why there is virtually no symptoms during those 2-3 days of quiet period?  I know no one here is a doctor, but I would appreciate other Crohn's patients opinions on this.  Thanks a lot. 

 

    Those 2-3 days of quiet period with virtually no bowel movement sounds like "constipation", right? 

 

 

Posted 1/20/2011 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Lots of docs call this "constipation," which I also agree seems not the right word for it. But there are plenty of people on this forum who suffer similar situations to what you describe. Personally I hate when I "fall behind" on my BMs, and I don't feel well during that day or two of waiting for things to move. I have described it as feeling like my bowels are just really really slow. And it doesn't seem to matter if I'm eating high fiber, low fiber, drinking lots, dehydrating, whatever.

So I don't know if it's a stricture - I haven't had a scope in a few years, and it's been longer than that since I had a SBFT. You might get more response if you post about "constipation."
Posted 1/20/2011 8:54 PM (GMT 0)

Kazbern:  Thank you for replying.

When the days come when you finally have a bowel movement, do you experience severe pain with that bowel movement? Have you been diagnosed of "partial bowel obstruction"?

It is strange to me: during those 2-3 days of "constipation" period, I just feel fine with virtually no symptoms.  But the day when I had a bowel movement, there is usually severe pain.   

Posted 1/20/2011 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think what you are describing is more of an Ileus, or a shutting down of the bowels for a period of time. Not really an obstruction. I don't know why they are shutting down, that is the job of the doctor. But it could be something you are taking, one of the herbs perhaps. An obstruction, would cause pain, where as an ileus would not necessarily.
Posted 1/20/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, on the day that I do have a BM, yes, it is uncomfortable. I'll have cramps and usually multiple BMs in one day. So when my GI asks me how many BMs do I have in a typical day, I really don't know how to answer. Should I say 0/0/3/1/0/2/0/0/4? Or should I say "on average, one." LOL.

Pain is very individual. On a scale of 1-10, my worst cramps during a day of multiple bowel movements are, maybe, a 6. But I've also delivered 2 babies w/o anesthesia. ha!
Posted 1/20/2011 9:41 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you Kazbern and Zanne for your replies.  For some reasons, I trust the patient's opinions here more than a GI specialist.

It is the 1st time I hear of the term "Ileus".  But that is interesting and I will look into that. 

_____________________

I was diagnosed of Crohn's in 1994.  I have been treated exclusively with Chinese herbal drinks for 15 years.  No surgery as yet.  I am just hesitant to go back to a regular western GI doctor, who would give me "conventional" treatments.  When I think of bowel obstruction, multiple surgeries, I just dread it might be the end of my career or even a happy family life. 

Posted 1/20/2011 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have crohn's, but I do have irregular bowel movements. I am like kazbern - some days I go 3-4 times, other days nothing at all. I don't have a lot of pain with bowel movements though - just maybe slight cramping, saying, ok, gotta go.

But if this is a change in bowel habits for you - from being pretty regular to this, I think you should talk to your doctor, and maybe just check your blood work to see if any inflammation is going on perhaps.

I think the key is whether this is a change from your normal.

I hope things are all normal, and this is nothing to worry about.
PV
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