How long should I suffer a partial obstruction at home?

[Lornapops]

Hi everyone,

I have a 10cm stricture in my terminal ileum and have had multiple obstructions, full and partial, since being diagnosed with Crohn's in May this year.

My latest partial started on Friday morning and I had the usual painful spasms in waves but only vomited once on Friday and twice on Saturday. Was keeping enough fluids down and could just about handle the pain with 30/500 co-codamol and buscopan so decided to wait it out at home.

I've been on fluids only since Friday morning and feel much better today (Monday) but still all bloated and tender with some mild spasms and no BMs yet. Last one was Fri morning but I'm usually once or twice a day.

Don't want to touch food until I've had a BM and even reluctant to try my Ensure drinks.

Would much appreciate any advice of where to go from here and was also wondering what others thought about using painkillers containing codeine during a partial obstruction as I know tho can cause constipation which presumably makes things worse but then so does morphine which is what the hospital gives me. Any thoughts?

Thanks x

 

[DJW]

Hi. I've had lots of blockages. Partial blockages can become full blockages quickly. They can be very serious. I would go to the ER or at least call the doctor. When I go into the ER they now give dilaudid. About 10x stronger than morphine. Please don't wait any longer.

 

[mere282]

I would go to the ER. Obstructions are not to
Be ta

 

[mere282]

Taken lightly.. Good luck

 

[GutlessWonder86]

I have dealt with partial obstructions for over 20 years. I have learned through experience to NOT WAIT UNTIL THINGS GET WORSE AS THE BOWEL CAN PERFORATE AND CAUSE SEPSIS.

GO TO THE ER FOR A STAT CBC, XRAY/CT SCAN, IV FLUIDS, PAIN MEDS, AND A POSSIBLE NG TUBE TO DECOMPRESS THE STOMACH/GUT OR YOU WILL BE IN FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY DUE TO A BOWEL PERFORATION.

 

[Justanothercp]

Lornapops, sorry to say this...but I agree with everyone else: go to ER, or get into MD tomorrow! 4days is a long time for things to not be significantly better. And bad things can happen quick.
I feel for you, I HATE going to ER, and it is quite expensive for me (last visit landed me in hospital for two days and cost me $3000.). Sucks, but better than perforation and sepsis!

 

[Lornapops]

Thanks for the good advice everyone. Didn't take me too long after my post to give up on the pain and went into hospital. Got my xray, fluids, morphine and they kept me nil by mouth. Feeling a lot better today won't be leaving it as long again!

x

 

[Lornapops]

Quick update...

Docs have decided surgery is the way forward this being my 6th small bowel obstruction since July and stricture not responding to meds. Getting a resection done by keyhole surgery tomorrow but feeling optomistic and excited to (hopefully!) get back to eating a bit more normally

Wish me luck! x

 

[Justanothercp]

You'll be feeling better soon, and glad to have this phase behind you. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Jennifer]

Glad you went in to be seen Lornapops. Let us know how the surgery goes. Hope you heal up well and have a speedy recovery. :hug:

 

[Lornapops]

Ileocecal resection went really well! No complications and have been enjoying eating pretty much whatever I like since, was definitely worth it

Thank you all for the support x

 

[Jennifer]

Glad you're feeling a lot better Lornapops! Are you continuing on any medication after the resection to help keep you in remission? Thank you for keeping us posted.

 

[mere282]

Glad to hear your doing better

 

[spingirl]

Glad to hear your surgery went well. I am going to see surgeon tomorrow for advice and this makes me happy to hear! Mine is large intestines though...

 

[Lornapops]

Jennifer - Thanks! Yes continuing azathioprine 150mg but no longer on remicade so no inconvenient trips to the hospital for the infusions!

spingirl - Thanks and I hope all goes well with your surgery consultation! I found it really useful to write down any questions I had as I though of them and take the list to my appointment. I'm one of those people who goes completely blank if someone asks, "any questions?", then I remember them all 5 minutes after leaving!

x

 

[Josephine]

Great news about surgery.