Intestinal obstructions..

[sml83]

My Husband has been dealing with this nightmare for almost 3 years now. It all started one day out of the total blue with heavy bleeding and a week long hospital stay. At the time he did not have any health insurance but the GI doc at the hospital did a colonoscopy... they found blood inside his intestines but never gave him the actual diagnosis of Crohns. Since he was never given a diagnosis he never gets put on any long term medications. He's been in and out of the ER every few months (sometimes will go as long as 4-5months without any major issues/flare-ups) and every time the same exact symptoms. Mostly excruciating abdominal pain, vomiting, heaving, fever etc.... and every single time he has an intestinal obstruction. A few times required hospital stays but usually they just send him on his way after a few hours.


So my question is, do any of you crohns patients usually end up with intestinal obstructions?? Is this a fairly common symptom with Crohns patients? Thanks for your help.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi there :welcome:! Yes I have had many bowel obstructions and one partial obstruction. It is the worst pain ever and I had my daughter eau naturel... and never winced! Give me labour anytime. It is common if you have strictures, narrowing from scaring or just scar tissue built up over time with alot of flares. Inflammation has to be reduced. I dont know why they havent given him any meds for it. For now he has to avoid chewy foods, avoid meat and nuts, if he doesnt he will end up with another obstruction. It took me over a year for a diagnosis. Even when I did have a full diagnosis I still got meds. I assume you are in the states, and still no insurance? He needs to see another Gi one that will help him asap! The intestine can burst and cause alot more pain and possible emergency resection or worse. Keep us posted, we are here to help, we are not doctors but we can help save him some pain. Bless you for caring to be on here for him. What diet is he doing? :hang:

 

[Trysha]

Hello sm183 and welcome to the forum.
From your description of your husband's problems it does appear to fit some features of IBD,possibly crohns.
Perhaps he needs a good gastroenterologist for a definitive diagnosis and a treatment plan.
I realise this would be contingent on your insurance plan, if you have one.
It is not right that he is continuing to suffer for lack of diagnosis and a treatment plan.
There is a list on the forum of doctors that members have recommended .
There is also loads of information available if you take a good look around the forum pages----a wealth of information at your finger tips.
Hugs and best wishe
Trysha

 

[sml83]

Thanks for the reply Pen... he does not have the best diet but since the whole thing started he has cut out the red meat, spicy foods and some other things. His job requires him to be on the go a lot so he does tend to eat fast food and junk that is not good for him. In the past 3 weeks he has been out of town for work, and both times he has gotten sick. Not to the point of needing to go the ER, but to the point where he couldnt work and was having pains, nausea, possible fever etc. On top of the poor diet, could also be coming on due to stress?

He's insured now and has seen two different doctors, both of course wanting to get another colonoscopy done. Our insurance wont cover the procedure unless our insanely high deductible is paid because of his age since they don't consider it "preventative" care. (He's 28, needs to be 50!) The doctors have given him Prednisone, Asacol and something else... but only few weeks worth supply. They just tell him there's nothing they can do until he gets the colonoscopy done. Very frustrating and hoping we can get it paid within a few months....

Just worried about the constant obstructions and like you said, scar tissue build up...

Thanks for the help!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Unfortunately yes, stress doensnt cause crohns but can bring on a flare. Prednisone helps but not a long term drug, very nasty. High fat diets will cause pain too. Eating on the run is very hard but needs to pick better choices. Digestive enzymes can help break down protein, fat and carbs. Helps to absorb too. Ensure is a great meal replacement, and rests his bowels. He really has to watch his diet. Any questions not matter what you need we here!