How do you know if you have a bowel obstruction?

[kingy]

Hi all looking for some input and advice.

Coming up on 4 years post BPD/DS surgery and everything has been fine until about a week and a half ago when I stopped having bowel movements. Nothing in my diet changed or my vitamins (which I am totally compliant with) or my daily routine. All my bloodwork has been ticketyboo for the last 4 years.  Just out of the blue nothing.

I tried eating some things that usually will set me off, something with wheat in it, a handful of jelly baby type lollies, upped my water intake, there was gurgling and then nada. I start hitting the laxatives hard but it's all to no avail. After a week I couldn't eat anymore only drink tea and I developed a big lump in my left side. Kind of feels like I'm lying on a tennis ball if I roll over that way in bed. I had one night where I tried eating a very small lamb rissole and the pain for the next hour was astoundingly bad. Hubby was all for going to the hospital but I was worried it was just gas and on a Friday night at the ER, it's not a good thing to take up their time on something so trivial. It did settle though and I gave up eating altogether (except my protein drink) and went to the doctor. He organised a CT scan with dye contrast and I had the results back that said it was ok (ie. they could see the dye flowing through my bowel but oh by the way you have ovarian cysts - pfffft if it's not one thing it's another ).

Is it possible to have a blockage and have the scan come back with a report saying it's ok? Has anyone ever had this happen?

So doctor says let's increase the laxatives.  I go one better and do the home enema (this is one of the mini tube kits not the real thing you would get in hospital)... nothing.  I do the dose of laxatives that could fell a rhino... yep there's hope, only a small amount of movement then nope.  I contact the doctor today (who says I should keep up the laxatives) and I tell him I want a referral to a gastroenterologist (sp?) who at least should be able to do a colonoscopy to find out if my bowel is twisted or not. Though to be honest I have no idea if they can even do one if your bowel isn't fully emptied.

Do you think I'm on the right track here guys?

Have emailed my surgeon (who is in the UK and I'm at the bottom of the planet in Tasmania) and have sent him the results of the scan and put him on notice that a Gastro or other medical professional may be contacting him.

I'll be honest I am a little concerned and wish I was in England so I could lob up to my surgeon's door but alas I'm not.

Anyway thanks for reading if you made it all the way through, I know it was a long post.  Any advice would be muchly appreciated.

Leanne

[Melinda]

Hi Leanne,

Are you saying you haven't had a bowel movement in a week and a half?

Are you nauseous? Any vomiting? I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about this who has been through it could probably advise you better. I'd still be concerned you are blocked. I had a fecal impaction once and that was NOT fun. However, the enema combined with mega dose laxatives corrected it. Painful and awful, but fixed. Where are you located? I think I'd be tempted to get myself back to the hospital, telling them about the CT with dye yet you still have not gone, have the pain, and despite the enema, laxatives, etc. no relief.

[kingy]

Thanks for the reply Melinda. No vomiting. Just nausea and a burning feeling internally. I just had a little bit of success so will up the laxatives again but think I'll go see the Gastroenterologist as well. Hadn't thought about impaction so thankyou for that.

[aa]

How often did you 'go' before this began?

I think I'd go back to the ER. Sounds as if there's something going on that shouldn't be ignored.

[newyorkbitch]

I think you should do a thorough enema to see if that helps.

Unscrew the shower head from the handheld shower and put the stream right up to your anus and let the water flow up there until you feel "full" from the water, then hold it for a few seconds, then release and hope for the best. Then do it again.

I think you should see a GI - but I don't think a colonoscopy is the answer - you might be impacted.

Keep up the laxatives.

[kingy]

Thanks everyone. Going to go the enema I think. Laxatives aren't making a dint. Also have an appointment with the gastroenterologist on Monday morning. Much appreciate the advice.

[newyorkbitch]

Use a lot of water, and let it flow in strongly and not for too short a duration.

In general do you have fiber in your diet? Do you drink enough water?

[goodkel]

The CT scan with contrast would have shown a blockage.

Have you increased your fat intake? Try tossing back a shot glass of olive oil every hour or so for a day.

As mentioned, drink a lot of water. Laxatives work by pulling water to the bowels.

Another option is getting a bottle of liquid magnesium citrate (what some surgeons insist on to prep you for surgery or a colonoscopy) and chugging the whole thing down. They are smallish bottles.

I hope this resolves for you soon. Constipation can be very painful.

If none of these suggestions work or you find that your pain is increasing, don't hesitate to go back to the ER.

[citizenk9]

I had a small bowel obstruction that I caught while it was still a partial and not a full obstruction. I was still having bowel movements up until my surgery. My symptoms were about an hour after I ate I had a pain that was pretty bad (8 of 10) but felt different than any other stomach ache I ever had. It was directly over my belly button. Then it went away. This happened to me after 2 meals and I just knew. I went to the ER and ended up in surgery a few hours later. I'm sure symptoms can vary based on the location of the obstruction.

I just can't imagine not going for that long with a DS. I suppose you could be having kinks that come and go and are causing slow transit constipation. Good luck and I hope this resolves soon.

[Melinda]

Is there any update?? What did the doctor say?

[bboop]

I had a recent bowel obstruction (+ ER surgery) and my tummy felt as if somebody was using a large knife and jabbing it in and out. Plus I had horrible - really bed nausea, until I had the dry heaves.

Something isn't right. Please let us know how you are doing - everybody here really cares and I want to know what's going on with you.

[kingy]

Well off for a colonoscopy tomorrow. Had 2 days of pico prep last week after seeing Gastroenterologist (on his advice) absolutely nothing. Been in liquids now only for 2 weeks. Started pico prep today again and finally things are moving. All very disconcerting considering that I have been regular once a day since the DS. We'll have to see what the scope finds, if anything. Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated

[OnMyWay2Thin]

Good luck tomorrow, Kingy, please keep us posted.

Thanks,
Kelly

[bboop]

Have you had the scope yet? What did it reveal?

[goodkel]

Aug 31, 2015 2:52:15 GMT -5 kingy said:

Well off for a colonoscopy tomorrow. Had 2 days of pico prep last week after seeing Gastroenterologist (on his advice) absolutely nothing. Been in liquids now only for 2 weeks. Started pico prep today again and finally things are moving. All very disconcerting considering that I have been regular once a day since the DS. We'll have to see what the scope finds, if anything. Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated

I hope that all is well. Please post an update as soon as you are able.