Mistakenly ate corn - paying the price

[Zeppy321]

So I ate a chicken and cheese taco at a friends house last night . I did not notice till I was almost done there were little pieces of corn in it and now I'm balled up like a baby crying in pain that seems to come in waves like labor contractions - every few minutes. I'm thinking it's a partial obstruction. I'm hoping it will pass without a trip to the ER. Who passing theirs at home ? Is it really doable ?

 

[Jeff D.]

I've had a few blockages that I've passed at home. One had me in a ton of pain but I didn't want to go to the ER so I drank as much water as possible and luckily passed it within a few hours. It was a bad nights rest but it was doable. Good luck, if you are in too much pain go to the ER.

 

[Khaley]

I did this same thing two nights ago. I ordered a burrito out and didn't realize it had corn in it. I was stressed and starving so, against my better judgement, I ate it anyway. I woke up in the middle of the night with pain I'd put at 7-8 and almost drove myself to the ER. I know I have a partial obstruction due to a stricture.

The next day was my Remicade infusion so I had bloodwork and my sed rate was only 10, so I'm guessing the stricture is mostly scar tissue. I passed the corn within about a day and a half and then the pain went away. It scares me when that happens though. If the pain is so bad that you're crying, you should probably go to the ER.

 

[Daisy123]

It is doable. I find that visualisation works for cramps., I imagine I am on a beach somewhere hot. But it can be dangerous and if you are not passing stool, I would be inclined to go to ER.

 

[DJW]

Hey. I feel for you. Absolutely awful when it happens.
I've passed them at home but if I go 4-6 hours without passing anything, unable to keep anything down or the pain becomes intense it time to go to the ER. These things can be dangerous. I usually pass them in the ER.

 

[Zeppy321]

Thanks everyone. The pain is much better today but it was a rough night. I haven't had a bm so I don't think the corn has passed yet but I'm not throwing up or anything just in a little pain still. I do have an appt. with my GI on Monday so I think I'll be alright. Thanks again for the support.

 

[DJW]

What a relief!

 

[sk12383]

So glad you're feeling better. Obstructions are the worst!

Just thought I'd mention -- if you know your obstruction is low in the tract, near the rectum (for me I have a stricture at ileum/rectum hookup post-colectomy), you could do a mineral oil enema and lie on your back with your legs up and it can slowly lubricate an area. It won't solve every problem but I keep a couple of those on hand just in case.

But, lately, I just go to the ER if it doesn't pass within like 2/3 hours. Best time to go to the ER is first thing in the morning at like 5-6am because they've cleared out the folks that go in at night and most people aren't there yet at that hour.

I also call my GI's office and have them page whoever is doing rounds in the hospital and sometimes they can pre-prescribe you pain meds and anti-nausea so you can get them much sooner when you arrive, versus getting in, waiting for the doctor there, etc.

I only learned about that on my most recent visit but wow what a difference.