Ostomies - 2 Intestinal Surgeries in 1 week

Wendy: I found this.

 

 

4.1.2 Q: What is total parenteral nutrition?

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), or hyperalimention, delivers a concentrated solution of nutrients intravenously. This is used in very active disease either giving it time to subside, or to nourish the patient before surgery.

People with Crohn's Disease generally benefit more than those with UC because CD usually affects the small intestine, which is where nutrients are absorbed. TPN may, however, occasionally be warranted in critically ill people with UC.

Richard

They will give prednisone after a surgery to decrease inflammation and it can cause elevated white counts and increase the risk for infection. Everything gets so confusing in the hospital especially when problems arise and doctors aren't always forthcoming with why they are performing certain tests and why they are changing medications. It becomes difficult to know what medications you are taking and why, the patient has so much to deal with, it's so important to have someone there who can understand what is going on like your family is for your brother. Never be afraid to question the doctors as to why they are doing a test or if medications can contradict each other, after all you are only looking out for your brother's best interests.

As many CT scans that your brother has had, it makes sense that his kidney's are working overtime to compensate for all the dyes and antibiotics that they are flushing through him, I don't understand why some of the tests couldn't be performed by an ultrasound.

I pray that your brother has a turning point and that he doesn't give in to depression (no one could blame him if he did). I believe that positive thinking aids in healing but it's difficult when you have as many obstacles as he's had to overcome.

Theresa

Wendy,
I wish I knew why he was having the intermittent nausea. It doesn't make sense how he could go so many days on food and then have an issue, but at least the CT's are not showing a blockage. I was on TPN for over 3 months and I didn't have any problems, of course that was back in 1991 and maybe they are adding different supplements to it now. I was eating only pretzels and cream of wheat with the TPN because they were resting my bowels at the time to get a flare up under control and they said I was getting all the nutrients I needed with the TPN and lipids. When I was able to eat foods again, I was taken off the TPN and lipids. Are the doctors saying what they think could be causing the nausea? Hopefully they can try different medications so that when he gets home he is able to eat and gain his strength back. The last thing you need is for him to quit eating and wind up back in the hospital for dehydration or malnutrition.