hubby is in pain

He's been doing so well the last few days. Today, he fell asleep and went too long without a pain pill and also went a few hours went about 5 hours in between eating. When he woke Jo from nap, he was very sore. And gas major pain in his left side. His insides have been making very loud gurgling sounds. Is that gas pains?? Or could it be something more serious? He took gas-x and it hasnt helped. His output has been fine, so I don't think its a blockage..but what do I know?!

Thanks Blueglass..you always have great advice. I didn't think to check his temp..will do now!

The gas pain after my surgeries is almost as bad as the incision pain. It rumbles around for a couple of weeks gradually getting less and less. As well as walking around, I rub my belly area in a clockwise direction. Might well be psycosamatic (? spelling) but seems to help move things slowly along. The pain meds will also be slowing his bowel down and so make sure he drinks plenty of fluids so output doesn't get too thick.

Glad it's getting better. I didn't have those kind of gas pains, guess I was lucky. Hope the improvement continues.

Is he still on pain meds? Could be them.... I spent the entire first night home from the hospital vomiting; it was the worst part of my surgery. I was on dilaudid, stopped that and just took tylenol and I was better. People seem to be quirky about which pain meds make them vomit, and if it's that, another narcotic might be fine.

Here is the UOAA card about blockages http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy_info/pubs/blockage_card.pdf

It says that w/a blockage you can have thin, clear output w/a foul odor. Sounds like you should at least call your surgeon -- to try a different pain med and to ask about the blockage if you suspect it (of course go to the ER if the stuff here doesn't work and you can't reach your surgeon).

I copied the card below..... hope it isn't a blockage, and I hope he gets better soon.

HOW TO TREAT ILEOSTOMY BLOCKAGE
Symptoms: Thin, clear liquid output with foul odor; cramping
abdominal pain near the stoma; decrease in amount of or
dark-colored urine, abdominal and stomal swelling.
Step One: At Home
1. Cut the opening of your pouch a little larger than normal because
the stoma may swell.
2. If there is stomal output and you are not nauseated or vomiting,
only consume liquids such as Coke, sports drinks, or tea.
3. Take a warm bath to relax the abdominal muscles.
4. Try several different body positions, such as a knee-chest
position, as it might help move the blockage forward.
5. Massage the abdomen and the area around the stoma as this might
increase the pressure behind the blockage and help it to “pop
out.” Most food blockages occur just below the stoma.
Step Two: If you are still blocked, vomiting, or have no stomal
output for several hours:
1. Call your doctor or WOC/ET Nurse and report what is
happening and what you tried at home to alleviate the
problem. Your doctor or WOC/ET Nurse will give you instructions
(ex., meet at the emergency room, come to the offi ce). If you are
told to go to the emergency room, the doctor or WOC/ET Nurse
can call in orders for your care there.
2. If you cannot reach your WOC/ET Nurse or surgeon and
there is no output from the stoma, go to the emergency
room immediately.
3. IMPORTANT: TAKE THIS CARD WITH YOU TO THE EMERGENCY
ROOM AND GIVE IT TO THE PHYSICIAN.
4. IMPORTANT: TAKE ALL OF YOUR POUCH SUPPLIES
(eg., pouch, wafer, tail closure, skin barrier spray, irrigation
sleeve, etc.)

Hi guys...sorry to update so late. My hubby got admitted to the hospital yesterday because they believed he had a blockage. He got a ng tube put in and he was miserable. He said he rather be in abdominal pain than the ng tube! Had x-rays done and today he is doing a lit better! We walked around the halls a lot. If all goes well tonight, he will be discharged tomorrow morning!

I really hope he can be careful and eat only what he should...the last few days were hell...why are guys so stubborn?! :)