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Posted 6/5/2010 3:07 PM (GMT 0)
I currently have a blockage going on.....I think.
I changed my appliance last night, and woke up in the middle of the night with burning pain on my skin, like I was leaking. So, I went to the bathroom to look, and the stoma was so retracted, that I couldn't even see all of it. So, I thought I had cut the hole too small, even though it didn't look that way when I cut it. Then, I changed the appliance again, just to make sure, but when I took it all off, it looked really really small. It scares me. the color is good, and I was having just a little bit of output. But, I have a loop ileostomy, and I couldn't even see the bottom hole because it is UNDER the skin! Sooo weird. I'm freaking out about this, b/c I've never had it before. I put on a new appliance, and made sure the hole was plenty big, but the stoma is STILL retracted, and I'm having very little output and moderately intnse pain. The pain is with peristalsis.
I ate lots of fiber yesterday (nothing I've ever had probs with) but I'm sure i was dehydrated. Since I broke my foot, I have a hard time carrying water bottle around with me at work, and I'm not drinking as much.
It's been about 6 hrs. since I notice this, and I've only had about 1/4 cup of out put.
How long should I wait to go to the hospital?
Posted 6/5/2010 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Unless you are in severe pain or vomiting, you can manage this at home. Try drinking grape juice and walk if you can; not sure how limited you are with your ankle? Grape juice should help.

Sue
Posted 6/5/2010 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes when I have a blockage I use a heating pad or some other warmth on my abdomen and gently massage the whole area with large strokes to try and encourage things to shift around and move through. As suebear said, you probably can stay home unless the pain is severe and/or you are vomiting. I hope you recover quickly!
Posted 6/5/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
Chasblah,

Oh, not good. If you can walk on that ankle at least walk in place. If not nausea or vomiting, drink grape juice and HOT TEA every 15 minutes. You judge how you feel though.

Hopefully this will break up. and shoot out into the bag all at once. As mine did twice on mashed potato.

If not you need to get to the ER for an ileostomy lavage. BE SURE IT IS SOMEONE TRAINED IN THIS. THis is different than a colostomy irrigation. Very tin¥ amounts of saline put into stoma at a time, not a quart like colostomy irrigation. GOOD LUCK>. ROsemary
Posted 6/5/2010 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Chasblah~I know what you are talking about...it has happened to me when I eat WAY TOO MUCH fiber shocked

It should get better once it is through your system...I wouldn't necessarily call it a blockage, because you're having output, but it is taking longer and your stoma has to work to push it through. Try the grape juice and see...I usually up my fluids to get things moving and it's okay. Leaks are possible when it retracts like that sad but it should come back once the fiber is through.

My stoma is usually about 3/4-1" long...is yours a good size normally?

This doesn't happen often, too me, but I won't give up my fiber so I just find a happy compromise! Do you know what food caused it? Next time try eating half the amount and see if that helps.
Posted 6/5/2010 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I've been working on helping this thing through for a long time :( Still, only very little output-minimal-gas and like a table spoon of liquid since I posted last, and it is so stinky. I'm not vomiting yet (feel very nauseated).
I'm pushing liquids and have been all day. I think I'm adequately hydrated b/c I'm peeing very often.
been using the heating pad, walking as much as i can handle (using crutches), massaging, changing positions, drank OJ (no grape).
still no go. I am very bloated now.
i really don't want to go to the hosp. so i'm going to try to wait this out.

my stoma is also 3/4-1 inch long oval normally. but now, it's so small and flat.

i skipped lunch yesterday (no time), and so by dinner, i was hungry. we had steamed broccoli, steak, and cheese and crackers. I didn't like the steak, so I just ate the broccoli and 'triscuit' crackers/cheese. I noticed how dry my mouth was when eating the crackers, and i knew i was dehydrated (i said above, too hard to carry around water). Also, i took vicodin (for foot pain) and i know that contributed.

ugh.
Posted 6/5/2010 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Chasstity,

Call your ostomy surgeon and tell him or her the timeframe. Mention the triscuits and the brocolli (oh, lord). My food obstructions have been on cottage cheese, and mashed potato, I'm supposed to go for a small bowel follow through that I'm scared to death of, but scared or not we all gotta do what we gotta do. THese ostomy blockages could lead to serious consequences if not addressed. Call now. GOOD LUCK, ROsemary (PS I can relate!) Any non movement for over 6 hours is considered serious.
Posted 6/5/2010 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
it's coming out now. whew.
It's coming out very slow and thick.
I have got to be more careful.
I just take it for granted that I can (usually) eat whatever I want, since i got Lefty.
Thanks everyone for your advice and support.
Posted 6/6/2010 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I was going to suggest drinking some coffee, too, but I'm glad to see that it passed on its own at home and you did not have to go to the hospital. :-)

Sorry to hear you broke your foot.

Hugs,
Cece
Posted 6/6/2010 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
YEAH Chastity. That has GOT to be the longest food blockage on record. You go girl! ( Literally :-) So glad for you! That is how my mashed potato came out soooooooo thick. Man oh man. Good for you. Rosemary

Oops, nope sorry, I win the record for longest blockage, mine was 10 hours! What an honor (NOT). Again, happy for you.
Posted 6/6/2010 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
YAY!!!!! That does sound like too much fiber:(

Hope you are still feeling better!
Posted 6/6/2010 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
yeah. it was long. it was approx. 13hrs. I woke up at 4 a.m. for the first time with the pains.
This morning, my gut feels like mulch. It still hurts a bit when it moves. I guess it's just bruised. Usually, I don't feel bad the day after an obstruction (or partial). I'm really gassy. my daughter thinks it's so funny. But I'm So gassy, I'm embarrassed to go to church.
and my stoma is still small and it's dark red. That is making me nervous.
Are there any other complications I could get?
Posted 6/7/2010 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
You might want to call your surgeon this week to let them know about your stoma. I don't know of any complications once the blockage has passed, but your surgeon would.
I was at the grocery store today and thought about you as I passed by the Triscuits... nono

Hugs,
Cece
Posted 6/8/2010 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
I always make sure I have a gallon of grape juice in the cupboard for just such occasions. It doesn't happen often but when it does I want to make sure I'm prepared. Glad it finally cleared for you Chaz. The broccoli I get but mashed potatoes? I've always thought of them as pretty benign.
Posted 6/9/2010 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
I know the mashed potato ordeal was scary. That is why my doc wants to do a small bowel follow through to see if I have a narrowing. Hope not. Rosemary
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