Same here, as always. I've been on TPN more than I've been off in the last three years. My adhesions are growing inside the small intestine and in the abdominal cavity, so double whammy when it comes to partial obstructions which always turn into full obstructions due to the build up of food behind the scar tissue. I just came back from Cedar Sinai and they don't want to do surgery again, but when I came home and followed the surgeon's instructions to start a clear liquid diet, I ended up vomiting for two days and become so dehydrated and weak that my bowel sounds again simply disappeared and I was developing an ileus from the liquids. I never realized you could develop ileus from clear liquids. So, I too know what you're going through not being able to chew anything. I know it's not pleasant, but when you're not nauseated, (which I am almost all the time) you can actually chew up something of your favorite foods and simply spit it out. I actually saw someone doing this in a restaurant and I could never do that, but it is done. Chew away! Just don't swallow!!
I call the surgeon tomorrow to bring him up to date on what happened when I tried the clear liquids, so we'll see what he says. I don't blame him for not wanting to do more surgery, and quite frankly, I really don't want any more surgery.....but I don't want to live on TPN, either! Reba -------Original Message-------
From: adhesions@adhesions.org [mailto:adhesions@adhesions.org] On Behalf Of Booboolrb@aol.com Sent: Monday, September 03, 2007 2:07 PM Subject: Will I ever to be able to eat normal again? I am starting to get to the point to where I don't even remember what it is like to even chew anymore! I have a history of a ruptured ectopic, hysterectomy, 3 laparoscopies, and a laparotomy. I have two partial bowel blockages which I was able to deal with for 3 years, but that is without eating any kind of beef, no raw veggies or fruit, no large amount of fiber and have living on Miralax. Presently the closest thing to chew on is saltine cracker and that is very few. I drink grape juice, Carnation Instant Breakfast mixed into Silk Soy Milk and once in a while I will drink V8 Fusion. But it sometime causes me to get in pain. I am scheduled for a laparoscopy this Friday to remove MORE adhesions but the doctor could not promise me that I won't end up with a open laparotomy and even a possible colostomy. I am tired of watching everyone around me eat anything and everything and all I would love is a nice toss salad and maybe even a big juicy cheeseburger. Does anyone else have this problem???? and if so what are you able to eat and enjoy?