I haven't been here in ages! All new names to me but from reading I can see you're all going through similar situations and you all have great advice.
My husband was diagnosed with IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's in 1995. He went through his course of various meds to no avail and had a total Colectomy with Ileostomy in 2003.
He's been doing great for the most part but recently has developed symptoms of what I think are blockages. He chooses to ride out the pain but the man is in agony each time the following happens: SEVERE pain upper and middle abdomen. Ribs feel like they are crushing his lungs.
This is usually a 24 hour thing, mostly starts early evening after supper. He vomits most times. Uses a heating pad to help with pain and is generally just very sore the next day but exhausted from being up all hours of the night off and on.
I have begged him to go to the ER and he feels they won't do anything or can't do anything if it is a blockage, so he won't go. He says when this happens, he knows what to expect so he'll deal with it, knowing it will pass.
If these are episodes of blockages are they from foods not chewed well enough that can't pass through the stoma? Will the food eventually pass EVERY time or is he risking something more serious if he doesn't go to the Er to be examined?
He went to our Primary care Physician on 11/4 and the Dr referred him to the surgeon that performed his operation but that referral was because he has pain at the stoma site as well as bleeding and what looks like blisters.
We have yet to get a call for an appointment with the surgeon. I called them to see why they hadn't called and they said the paperwork was on someones desk waiting for something. I told them he is in pain and needs to be seen asap. The receptionist told me I'd be getting a call soon with an appointment. Hasn't happened yet!
I have a note to myself to call his office tomorrow and DEMAND an appointment but of course they will say if it's an emergency go to the ER. Hubby wants his Doctor not some ER Doc that doesn't know his history.
Anyway, I know I'm ranting like a lunatic but I'm worried, frustrated and really aggrivated with my husband for being so darn stubborn and scaring the hell outta me each time this happens and his Dr's reception people that don't seem to be doing their jobs.
Thanks for listening. Take special care of yourselves and your loved ones.
Sandi