How Do You Get an Obstruction?

[Crohns2011]

Is this based on what part of your intestines are inflamed? Mine is in my terminal ileum/small intestine. From what I know my stomach breaks the food up before it gets to my intestines so how could there ever be an obstruction? I do have the stricturing kind of Crohn's.......but wouldn't my food have to be solid in order to have an obstruction? Food just can't stay in your intestines right? Plus I do have the diarrhea kind of Crohn's........


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Age: 23
Hospital visits, statcare, doc, clinics: 23 times in 2011
Insurance: None
Medical tests: X-ray, 12 barium X-rays, transvaginal ultrasound, CAT Scan, MRI, Colonoscopy, various blood tests etc...
Wrongly Diagnosed: October with Colitis
Diagnosed: December 1st 2011 with Crohn's only.
Other pre-existing health issues: Mennorhagia since I was 12
Treatment: Lialda 1.2 grams each 2X a day started in November 2010
Probiotic: Florastor (supposed to take 1 every morning and night but can only afford to take one capsule every other day).
Have been sick: going on 10 months.

 

[Rebecca85]

Certain foods don't get broken up entirely by the stomach. Particularly nuts, seeds and some vegetable/fruit skins. Therefore if you have strictures you may wish to avoid these foods (or in the case of nuts, ground or nut butters are usually OK).

Also, the intestine stretches to allow food to pass through, scar tissue won't stretch so even though the food isn't solid it creates a bottle neck effect.

If you have active inflammation as well as strictures the affected part may well end up being only the size of a pea!

 

[Crohns2011]

That was a given when I was diagnosed....my doc said no fruits or uncooked vegetables. I haven't had any surgeries or anything either so I guess I can't get an obstruction? It is painful sometimes after I eat though........and I've been 10 weeks on an anti-inflammation pill only.........

 

[Rebecca85]

I wouldn't say CAN'T get an obstruction, but sounds like you're doing all you can to avoid one.

The pain when you eat could be from a stricture or from inflammation, if it's your only symptom then I would guess at the former. (but it's only a guess!)

It might be worth keeping a food diary, and recording exactly what you eat and when you have pain. Sometimes it's not as simple as avoiding x y and z, quantities of food and combinations and cooking method can also play a part. So by keeping a diary it makes it easier to spot the patterns.

 

[Terriernut]

Rebecca is right as usual! Any fiber, if you are prone to strictures, can cause you issues. Which is why so many of us have to eat a low residue diet.

(bummer...I know...because I too am prone to strictures)

 

[Crohn's 35]

Well I can answer all your questions just got out of the hospital from a partial obstruction and have had full bowel obstructions and they are excruciating to say the least. YOU do not have to have a resection to get them. I have Diareah symptoms too but have had 2 resections and prior my first bad obstruction was from raw carrots, on a salad thought it was cheese grated. The second was a hotdog. Raw veggies, nutsof any kind and high fiber foods that are hard to break down and not chewing you food well can cause it.

Eat small portions and chew your food, especially meat. Trust me you dont want to experience an obstruction...worst pain ever!