Could my Ileus be back?

[DawnG]

So, long story short. I was diagnosed with an ileus in the small bowel in December. January 2015, I was diagnosed with crohn's. My MD is treating me with Entocort right now. I have a MRI enterography pending because they are suspicious that I have more ulcers behind my bowel wall.

I have had issues with constipation since diagnosis. So, they put me on Amitiza 8 mcg twice daily. Monday, I started with severe right upper quadrant pain and cramping and then started with diarrhea. Stopped the Amitiza, but now I have bloating, cramping after eating and continued urge. These are the same symptoms I had when I was diagnosed with my ileus.

I realize Crohn's is individualized with treatments and symptoms...but has anyone had an ileus before. Did it come back? I just recently weaned on my Entocort. My body seems to react when I do this. I just don't know what to do. My GI doc is only in twice a week. I really like him, but have no trust in his staff...they don't seem to get him his messages. I am in a lot of pain.
Thank you

 

[FrozenGirl]

Welcome!

Lots of people have issues with tapering off steroids like entocort. Maybe you need to go back on and taper slower (every other day when you get to it maybe).

 

[DawnG]

Thank you Frozengirl. He had me wean by 3 mg a month. Started out on 9, 6 last month and 3 mg this month. So, that's a great thought. I will ask my GI doc tomorrow. Thank you!!

 

[UnXmas]

I had post-surgical ileus. Do you know if there was a specific cause of yours? I don't know if having ileus once means it's more likely to happen again. I guess it would depend on the cause. Post-surgical ileus like I had is a reaction the bowel has to being touched during surgery. It's not because of any mistake on the surgeon's part, it just happens sometimes and then resolves on its own after a few days. I've not heard of Crohn's by itself causing ileus before. Did your doctors say anything about why you had it when they diagnosed it for you last time? Your symptoms aren't specific to ileus though, so even though they were the result of ileus before, it may be that something else is causing them now.

When I had ileus, it was diagnosed by x-ray, and I was already in hospital, having just had surgery. I didn't vomit with ileus, which is unusual, usually people vomit bile. This is why it was so painful for me - bile couldn't go down but wouldn't come up either, so my stomach just swelled bigger and bigger, until they put in an NG tube and drained it, which was such a huge relief! I couldn't eat at all, and wasn't supposed to eat much anyway as the NG tube was draining my stomach constantly so nothing would stay down anyway.

If you do suspect ileus, don't take any opioid painkillers as they slow the bowel down. Chew chewing gum, as it stimulates digestive processes but without burdening your system with actual food. Drinking hot drinks and fizzy drinks can also help get things moving.

I realise I'm a little late in replying, and I hope this has resolved for you by now. Have you seen your doctor?

 

[DawnG]

Hi! I can't seem doc until Tuesday. When I was diagnosed the first time, it was seen on CT scan. I was having the same symptoms. He said that Crohn's will sometimes cause an ileus. I actually had an ulcer in the same place on my ileum 3 years ago.
I've been doing liquids only. If I eat food, my pain is unbearable. I am doing miralax too with no results.

I have a MRI enterography on Friday. Hoping that gives more details. I'd love to know.
Thanks for your reply.