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Posted 9/3/2014 7:37 AM (GMT 0)
This is insignificant compared to most problems on here, and just asking out of curiosity to see if this is common, really.

I'm 10 weeks podt-op and getting used to how my stoma works etc., but I have had something occur I think 4 times - the first time
I went to A&E (ER for our American cousins).

What happens is that I have a meal and a couple of hours later I feel quite bloated and there is nothing coming out of the stoma. After a few hours I feel sick and there is still no output. There is no output for many hours which is unusual. Eventually I do vomit, which makes me feel better. A few bours later output starts again, is very watery and a lot of it - for 2 or 3 hours it fills a bag very quickly, may be 4 bags over that time, then all retuns to normal.

I did think it might be a blockage, but there is no pain. I do think it's related to the stoma in some way, but don't know how.

Just wondering if this sort of thing is something others come across or if it's just me.
Posted 9/3/2014 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have not experienced this, but it definitely sounds like a blockage to me. What did you eat these four times?
Posted 9/3/2014 2:15 PM (GMT 0)

bania said...
I have not experienced this, but it definitely sounds like a blockage to me. What did you eat these four times?

Well, yesterday had just been chicken snd rice, some red pepper in there but cut fairly small. The other times I can 't remember. I think the time I went to A&E I'd had some mushrooms which was part if the reason I went to hospital as I thought it might be a blockage knowing what I'd eaten.

From reading the 'net it seems that the main symptom of a blockage is pain and I had none, so I don't know.
Posted 9/3/2014 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Pain or no pain, if you're vomiting up your food and getting no output, that's a blockage. Definitely talk about it with your doctor.
Posted 9/3/2014 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've had loads of partial obstructions without any or little pain. Before surgery, I had a terminal ileum stricture (basically the same place where the ileostomy is), so I got used to the symptoms of food having difficulty passing through a narrowed spot. A total obstruction is excruciatingly painful, and I had a few of those. But for the most part I had varying degrees of partial obstructions. I'd get bloated, feel a massive sense of pressure at the stricture, followed by relief whenever there was a loud gurgle which indicated that something had got through.

I've never had a full obstruction with an ileostomy, but I've had lots of partial ones, which have similar symptoms to my Crohn's ones. Never reached the point of vomiting, only nausea. I also get the very watery output, which can fill up the bag incredibly quickly.

I'd be surprised if you felt no abdominal discomfort - but not feeling any sharp or strong pain I can understand.
Posted 9/3/2014 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
I would say that it sounds like you've had partial blockages, for sure. Just because there are a list of typical symptoms for a problem, illness, etc...that doesn't mean that every person will experience every one of those symptoms. Bloating, delayed output, vomiting and lots of watery output would be enough to convince me. I'd say a call to your surgeon might not be a bad idea. Good luck!!
Posted 9/3/2014 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hey TD, I'm thinking you have an ileostomy and not a colostomy. I get the impression from other folks that chewing is one of the most important things to prevent blockages. It's been said so many times to chew, chew and chew some more.
Good luck,
Michael A
Posted 9/3/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto what the above members have said. From the blockage, possible vomiting, and bag filling immensely. Being post op, this is a HUGE concern. Make an appointment with your surgeon. 4 times in 10 weeks, obviously you need to be checked out. It does take time for your body to adjust from this, but I do think you need to ask your surgeon. You don't want your stoma to be restricted, or there's a something internally wrong.

In the meantime, try to refrain from those foods entirely. Rice, raw or cooked mushrooms, too much fruit, apple with peal, some raw veggies (celery, carrots, string beans). And if you do....CHEW! If you are still on pain meds, they can slow down your GI tract, so maybe cut down.

During a blockage, try to relax, put a heating pad on your abdomen/or bathe with warm water, message the area, leg to chest compression's, drink hot liquid (tea), and WALK! Before vomiting starts, try taking an antinausea medicine (US-Zofran).

I wishing you my very best!
Posted 9/4/2014 9:56 AM (GMT 0)
I'd still be staying away from stuff with skins for now, you said you had red peppers. Also means cherries, grapes, apple skins, peach skins, etc... And raw veggies as they are harder to digest..
Posted 9/4/2014 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for these thoughts.

Sounds like a partial blockage then. Probably brought on by my bad choice in food. I can go with that.

The first time, the one where I went to hospital, I actually vomited while waiting to see the doc, and there started to be some output, so I reckon by the time they did the x-ray, whatever was causing the problem had passed through.

I shall chat with my stoma nurses - being in the UK, I rarely get to actually speak to my surgeon. My stoma nurses are very good though.

I am smacking my hand and telling myself to eat better :)
Posted 9/27/2014 5:22 PM (GMT 0)
In 14 years I have had several Complete blockages and some partials and I believe that is what you are experiencing.What works for me is to drink a carbonated pop (Coke) quickly then hop in a warm shower with the flange removed so it does not "choke" the stoma. In the shower massage the area around the stoma then press firmly on the same area and as the gas build up fro the soda then "Walla" it blasts out and I continue pressing until it is clear.
Monitor what affects you and eliminate that from your diet. For me it is "Sliced mushrooms" not chunks or quarters, "Shredded coconut" as in a tart or chocolate bar, and "Corn on the cob" only, nibblets or creamed corn is ok for me. You will see these things come through in the same form as they went in so they readily form a darn behind your stoma. Good luck!
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