Discouraged and scared

[Jobell]

discouraged and scared

I had MRI and Barium Enema, and felt very proud of myself for finally taking the tests, since i have been very remiss in following my disease. For 5 years I have not even gone to the doctor!
Now, after doing these tests, I am feeling awful. I had the worst blockage episode ever, was vomiting and in such pain... as usual it opened by itself after around 4 hours, but it was so bad I am afraid to eat. I am back on liquids. I am having a fair bit of pain in my right side (very familiar spot) and I wonder if the tests themselves have actually made me worse?
I was doing better for a couple of weeks before, and feeling I really had made progress. Now I am just scared to eat, scared to feel that horrible blockage again. This last time all I ate was rice and fish, nothing to cause a blockage! The vomiting is like nothing I have ever experienced, my stomach just convulses even when it is entirely empty.

 

[Jennifer]

What did the tests find? What, if any medications are you taking? Its great that you're trying to take care of it. An MRI isn't going to make your symptoms worse and chances are you've already passed all the barium. I don't believe either test would make a partial blockage/stricture worse. Did they find that its from inflammation or scar tissue? You'll want to eat smaller meals more frequently and try to avoid foods that are high in fiber (if you're able to hold down liquids and the pain and vomiting is gone). If you do have a blockage you may need surgery to remove it. Are you still vomiting and in pain? You should probably go to the ER. Blockages are life threatening.

 

[kimmy86]

You sound very similar to me I also have a stricture and
blockage and have similar episodes of extreme pain and vomiting to the point were I am gagging an there is nothing at all left in my stomach. When I am like this even water comes back up. I no how ill it makes u feel and how scared you feel to eat afterwards. I had an MRI scan not long ago they have now decided I need surgery as otherwise I am just going to carry on suffering! it will be the 1st operation or stay in hospital I have ever had so I am terrified but at the same time thinking of getting my life back! good luck see what the MRI results show but if it carries on I would defo ring your doctor xx

 

[Jobell]

Thanks for the support. I haven't gotten the test results yet from the doctor, but at the xray for the barium enema, he said that surprisingly he saw no sign of stricture or anatomical blockage in the small intestine. I found that very strange, since these incidences have been occurring more and more frequently. I thought it was scar tissue from my old re-section surgery, but why is getting worse? now it is every week... even when I feel better, I am getting afraid to eat.
Kimmy86, good luck with your surgery. When I had mine, it made me feel so good afterwards, I couldn't believe life could be so fantastic pain-free.
Your symptoms sound so similar to mine, but it is funny because they didn't see any stricture.
How do you know when a blockage has reached life-threatening proportions? this last one was so bad, I really contemplated going to hospital, but it means leaving kids home alone (my husband was out of town) and traveling an hour away. I only go if I absolutely have to.

 

[Jennifer]

You really don't want to wait for it to reach that point. They can cause septicemia (bacteria in the blood), peritonitis (infection within the abdominal cavity), death of intestinal tissue due to lack of blood flow, perforation etc. Find someone else to watch the children or take them with you to the ER. Its not like the ER staff has no idea what to do when children are involved.

"Common symptoms of a bowel obstruction or blockage include cramps, occasional but sharp or stabbing abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Some people experience diarrhea while others can't have a bowel movement or even pass gas, despite the fact that the lower abdomen "feels full". Some individuals experience extreme tenderness in the abdominal area, or even swelling, which is referred to as a distended belly. "http://www.ehow.com/about_5078778_symptoms-bowel-blockage.html

"Intestinal obstruction can be caused by many conditions, including fibrous bands of tissue in the abdomen (adhesions), hernias and tumors."

"...symptoms, including abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, intestinal obstruction can cause the blocked parts of your intestine to die. This tissue death can lead to perforation of the intestine, severe infection and shock. However, with prompt medical care, intestinal obstruction can often be successfully treated." http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/intestinal-obstruction/DS00823