partial blockage and extended nausea

That must have been horrible to have happen on vacation. When I had my blockage in April, I vomited all night long, and once the blockage passed, the vomiting lessened considerably (but didn't go away enirely). I didn't vomit anymore after that. What did continue, was some pain around my stoma as well as my stoma being really swollen. The swelling lasted for a couple of days. Also, I was extremely exhausted from the whole ordeal for at least another day or two.

I hope the rest of your vacation is event free and you have a great time.

Post Edited (uc_free) : 7/16/2012 8:12:39 AM (GMT-6)

blueglass:

Hope that's all it was....just "gluttony" getting the best of you!

Glad you are feeling better!
jimmy

Sounds like you possibly had some dehydration issues going on after the blockage cleared. I wouldn't worry about a partial blockage. They can happen very often. Just remember all the tricks to get things moving- hot bath, heating pads, hot showers, moving, twisting, massage, drinking grape juice or red wine - and go on with your day. And then after everything clears through.. rehydrate.. with proper electrolyte beverages. Also, because of the pain, or in your case even worry, from a bit of a blockage, you could be extra tired. So listen to your body and rest when it tells you.

Thanks everyone. I'm doing OK today -- long day out and about. Actually, I'm tired and thinking of opting out of all or part of tomorrow's agenda to just stay in the hotel and read a book or something.

I have a new theory of what's happened, wondering if anyone has any thoughts. I got a new napsack a bit ago, very ergonomic, awesome for my shoulders, but it has kind of a tight belt on the bottom that goes about an inch above my stoma. I realized that that was exactly the place where it was really tight w/the blockage. The other time I had this was the day after I got the napsack, and yesterday I was walking around w/it all day. I think the point is to move the weight away from your shoulders, but maybe moving it to one inch above where my intestine is sticking out my belly is not what they had in mind. Today we were mostly driving, so I didn't carry it much, but I did for a bit and realized my stoma was tightening up some.... not going to use the belt anymore, and I'll email my surgeon too (and let you know). Hoping I didn't do any permanent damage.

After the blockage cleared, I couldn't stand the thought of drinking anything. My partner went and got me some ice cubes, but mostly I didn't even want ice chips.... so I might very well have been dehydrated .... I was in such a bad way, didn't even want comfort (shoulder rub etc). Ugh.

My output has been watery today and there's been a lot of it. Not sure what's up w/that. I ate all low residue food today. Makes sense that my system is just off (or could the grape juice still be working its magic the next day?)

Alcie, you have a colostomy, right? I have an ileostomy, which is a different thing (no colon at all, blockage is where the small intestine is sticking out). I don't know that much about colostomies, sorry, but it probably would look different for you than for me. If you have a lot of colon left, once a day makes sense, as that's a reasonable number of times for someone w/an intact colon to have a bowel movement. (Just fyi, I've read that food typically spends 3 hours in the stomach, 3 hours in the small intestine, and 40 hours in the colon -- so those of us with ileos are going to have much faster transit time than someone w/a lot of colon left -- the colon draws water out of the stool and hardens it up..... with no colon, it comes out much more liquid, and that's why we get dehydrated so easily).

I've been drinking vitalyte, which I learned about from this list -- it's much less sweet than gatorade, a powder that you mix (you can order from their website). There were a few threads about rehydration drinks a bit ago, you can search for them and get the info; people recommended different ones.

Thanks everyone for the empathy and sympathy. I'm sorry that so many of you have had to go through this, wouldn't wish on anyone, but it was awfully nice to come back after being out all day and have six responses.

So glad things seem better.  You know, regarding the pack putting pressure, I think that could be accurate.  Now I am thinking I am doing something I probably shouldn't be . . .

I have been using bandages now around my abdomen when I go swimming.  The other wraps I had been wearing weren't concealing things to my liking, so that's why I started with these.  They conceal really well, but I have been worrying about too much pressure being applied to the area.  I still get output while it's around me, but sometimes I have A LOT of output in my bag after I take it off.  I wonder if it keeps things sort of trapped in there, and the plumbing isn't able to work as properly.  I don't know, but this could be similar to what you had happen, and since your foods are more thickening it was more severe in your case? 

I was thinking of just going back to the wraps and just dealing with the buldge.  Seems safer in the long run.  Hope your situation was as simple and there are no other issues. 

Uc free, I think the pack strap makes sense too -- this is the sort of thing that we might know better than the docs. Try w/out the bandage and see if things improve w/swimming....
(I've been wearing running shorts w/underwear built in, and they conceal the bag well and are looser.... but might not be your style)