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Posted 4/2/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've had a colostomy bag since Jan 2012, after rectal cancer surgery, but in the past month or so I've been having lots of stomach pain no matter what I eat or drink. Stomach bloats etc. Went to emergency with it last week. Docs say the blockage is common and surgery not recommended. Hopefully will resolve itself they say. But it's quite excruciating going through it. I use laxatives etc to get things moving. Any thoughts?
Posted 4/2/2012 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, LORD! I have been having some of these with my 4-year old ileostomy. I have to walk miles and slug hot tea then the blockage comes out all at once. I am going for a finger check to be sure stoma still all open. HOPEFULLY mine is as it is so old. With yours so new do they suspect a narrowing and have they checked for that?

Good luck. Rosemary
Posted 4/3/2012 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Wow that is very soon after your surgery to be having problems like that. I'm with Rosemary, I think they need to check into it and make sure theres no narrowing or adhesions happening. I am the same as Rosemary too when I have blockages I drink heaps of cups of tea and walk as much as I can and if it doesn't move then off to the ER. Keep us posted and hope you feel better soon
Doreen
Posted 4/4/2012 8:52 AM (GMT 0)
Vireo,
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this so soon after surgery. sad The next time it happens, I would demand that they take an X-ray to see what's going on or schedule you for a small bowel follow through. It could be scar tissue that has grabbed a hold of your small intestine, which can be fixed with surgery. I know, because it happened to me.

Blockages are nothing to take lightly, because they can cause your intestine to perforate. I know, because that also happened to me. It was the most pain I have ever felt. If your current doctor won't help you, tell them that you will go to someone who will, because it's not right to go through this every day.

Cecilia
Posted 4/5/2012 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Indeed, I had an x-ray and a ct-scan taken of the alleged blockage. But it's not a complete blockage. The theory is that after surgery some small intestine has slipped into the cavity left by the removal of lower colon, where it has probably kinked or twisted. Surgery to correct it is not recommended at this time according to my docs. They'd prefer to see it correct itself. Ha! I do hope so. But the pain is excruciating when I'm clogged up. Gas pains are the worst. I've been taking laxatives like Miralax, Milk of Mag, and have also started drinking Chamomile tea w/honey.

But I have to be very cautious about the food I eat. In fact I've been eating very little, afraid of the risk, but losing too much weight!
Nobody told me there'd be after effects to colostomy surgery like this! Bummer.
Posted 4/5/2012 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I could have sworn that taking laxatives while you have a blockage could cause dehydration.
Posted 4/13/2012 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, taking laxatives causes dehydration. And dehydration can cause hardened stools contributing to blockage. But if the blockage is painful laxatives might be the only resort to getting relief. But also necessary to drink lots of water with the laxatives. 64 ounces of water or hydration per day is recommended. However I've since gotten off the laxatives. Instead I've been using natural products like Omega 3D fish oil by the teasponful twice a day, and another product called DigestMore (both found at the health food store), in addition to organic protein powders (choc or vanilla flavored) mixed with lowfat milk. I'm doing much better with regularity, and without the rather radical cramping effects of otc laxatives.
Posted 4/13/2012 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
In addition - I've been drinking lots of Green tea, and chamomile tea, with plenty of honey. Which also contributes to the recommended 64 ounces per day of hydration. Not to mention keeping bottled water at hand at all times. Not to say that everything is hunky-dory. I've got permanent colostomy bag and there are still times of gas, bloating, and cramps, but much improved over the blockage episodes I was having last month which ultimately hospitalized me. Hopefully I'm on a better path now. Which includes being very cautious about proper food intake. (No more pizza with the works - boo hoo).
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