Semi-Obstruction ...that goes away?

[Amay]

Hi

I wondered if any of you had had a similar Crohns experience to me. Had a resection about 16 years ago and have had mild Crohns symptoms since then and not too many meds. Sometimes, about once every 6 months to a year, I get this thing which the docs have called semi-obstruction where my guts are churning like mad, give me pains that are like labour pains and I feel constipated and have no bowel movements. Generally happen at night and they build and build up over a period of about 2-4 hours until the pain is unbearable. Really just like labour pains - a huge contraction and then they subside and then build up again with lots of gurgling sounds internally.

three times I have had to go to the hospital for strong pain relief - morphine as the pain has been unbearable and making me yell out. The morphine has twice sent me to sleep (although once it made me vomit all night) and then approx 12 hours later, the pains disappear and I'm left with just a mild dull pain (like a memory of the pain). Once was definitely after eating a huge dish of mushrooms and the other was brown rice but the others were unexplained.

anyone else had these experiences and how do you cope with the pain, or do you seek medical advice?

 

[PERDITA]

Hi Amay - I had resection as well in 2003 and have recently been diagnosed with ulcers in the stomach which I assumed were responsible for the dreadful pains like the ones you described - I was in terrible pain for about five hours with contractions and then started being sick and eventually out other end as well - when I saw consultant he said I had partial obstruction and they plan to try putting a stent in to rectify the problem - if not will have to have more surgery - he told me that you get periods of time where you feel ok and then the obstruction will get smaller again - so I would suggest you try and get some medical advice cos it would appear that it will probably happen again.

Regards, Perdita

 

[Meltric]

I have the exact same pains! They don't come to often, but the way you are describing sounds just like me. Though mine is usually accompanied by vomiting which generally (less and less each time) relieves the pain. and every time it happens the pains lasts just a little bit longer.

I have no idea how to resolve it. I usually lie on the floor in this twisted fetal position (fetal but my shoulders are twisted upward... if that makes sense). And walking! when I walk around-very slowly-it feels better.

 

[semicolon306]

I have these on average of once a week. I have the treatment sort of down to a science, for me. When I feel the pain coming on it starts right below my breast bone. I have been given Dilaudid 2mg pills, which I requested from my doctor. I immediately take one of them and a heat pad (one I got from a chiropractor - has a button to make it VERY WARM). Normally within 2 hours I can feel it start to move. As soon as it is half way down I have a milk shake or dairy to put my system into high gear and normally can clear it in 3 hours. I will NOT eat any solid food till I stop having BM's from the dairy. Like the last post said walking will help - put stuff into motion.

The weird thing is Dilaudid is a narc and normal makes people constipated, but not with me. It seems to relax my small intestine and allow the blockage to pass.

I had my colon removed 17 years ago and I had what I call "SLOWINGS" for about 10 years and this has worked very well. Only twice was I admitted into the hospital. Once was blockage caused my scar tissues and the other blockage required a NG tube for 5 days, but it cleared.

My doctors are not sure why I get these more then other people, but they think they are from scar tissue and narrow in the intestines. To attempt to prevent them I try to chew up my food really well, more then normal people. I know there are certain foods that are worse then others, such as Onions. These seem to instantly cause pain and a slowly, so I now do NOT eat them. DO NOT EAT to fast, this can also be bad.

ONLY thing is be very careful with this medication, it is stated to be 10 times stronger then Morphine and also can make people vomit. It also can be addictive, so should only be taken with needed. If you take one, do not plan on going anywhere, you will be to high. Sometimes I also feel like crap the next morning, but at least the pain is gone and the system is moving.

Past medical is colitis - colon removal and a J pouch. Two years ago found out now I have crohns.

Hope this helps and if you have any questions let me know

 

[Daisy]

Before my surgery, I had many episodes of partial obstruction lasting anywhere from 6 -12 hours. I'd be on the floor wriggling in pain for which there was no relief, rocking wouldn't help it, vomiting was endless, yet pointless because it would do nothing to relieve the pain. I could feel my intestine in painful spastic churning, yet couldn't pass any gas. You are absolutely right when you say that it feels like labour pains. I know I've been through both. I don't know how many times I felt like I was a goner, I would be so weak and exhausted and had no choice but to have someone drive me to ER where I was given CT scans and morphine, and the next day would feel almost back to normal.
For many years I did almost anything to avoid surgery, why? I don't know why because I suffered greatly. The last year before surgery the partial obstructions came often. I feared every meal. Since surgery I have been almost pain free, TG but now almost 7 years later I'm narrowing from scar tissue at the surgical site and tomorrow I'm going for more small bowel xrays to see if it's worse than a year ago.. Though this time I have discomfort only and not that horrible pain gripping pain like before. I never want to return to that awful pain and wasted years of suffering. Just my opinion but it's more than likely that you have some inflammation or strictures or something that is causing the partial blockages? I wish you the best, and I really would like to see you avoid future pain so if the episodes come too often, then it's time to discuss further treatment with your doctor.

 

[Crohn's 35]

When ever I get a blockage seems like a full blockage and always go to ER for Iv and morphine and plenty of it , the morphine doesnt even cut it. Having a baby natural had far less pain. I never winced in labour. But a full bowel obstruction I cant even talk, and end up vomiting and so much I need pain meds for my ribs from so much vomiting. I know what foods to avoid if you are narrowing it is a good idea to avoid certain foods.

 

[CodeBrown]

What food should you avoid? I am in this pattern right now.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Unfortunately, Tammy, it is not the same for everyone on what foods should be avoided. I have been recommended by docs when I'm flaring to stick to a low-residue diet and then remove skins and seeds from veggies. Hope this helps

Oh...and I have yet to have children, but I've always imagined the feelings of having an obstruction as having labor pains. so, I guess if I can survive that I'll survive labor pains one day! Haha.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Most foods I avoid are chewy meat and if it is chicken, chew and chew well. I also use digestive enzymes to help break down the protein. Raw veggies, the worst are celery and carrots. Greasy foods, or fatty foods. Foods that bind, like banana's and some pastas. Weiners are a major no no or brats. If you get gas and bloat, avoid dairy. Wheat bothers me but some do ok on it. Have more but smaller meals during the course of the day. Eating a big meal at one sitting is not likely to digest easily. I am sure others will post their experiences. Drinking water helps. IF you are really narrowed, then it will be better on Ensure and fluids. Obstructions are very painful, and scary!

 

[semicolon306]

The best way to find out what food might bother you, if go to a bland diet, then starting adding in new food slowly. I was recommend one food for two days, to see if I had any concerns, if not is was considered to be safe for me. Everyone is different how they react. As an example I eat salads & veggies like a champ and have NO concerns, other people would be in so much pain. Hope this helps you

 

[Crohn's 35]

You are right semi... I love caesar salads and I dont dare even try. Not worth the pain!