Re: How do I know if it's obstructed?

From: randy and gloria mcdonald (rgmcdon@pacificcoast.net)
Mon Nov 1 06:17:09 1999


Hi Gina In my experience, when I have had a partial or total obstruction -- at first I get small, intense pains that are somewhat like contractions. These increase in intensity over a period of time. At first I will usually have some gas, but this stops and eventually I have no bowel activity at all.

With obstruction, nothing is moving out of your stomache, and your bowel "shuts down". There are no bowel sounds at all in total obstruction. When I have my obstructions, the doctors first xray and then do blood tests. If the obstruction has been there for quite some time (in my case 12 -18 hours) then my white count is usually elevated and my spleen is enlarged.

What you are experiencing doesn't sound like obstruction to me, but it does sound like your bowel is not working effeciently.....have they explained to you why this would be? I have experienced similar problems post-op, but not for such a long period of time.

HTH Gloria

>----- Original Message -----
From: Gina <gina@maine.rr.com> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@talk.obgyn.net> Sent: November 1, 1999 5:01 AM Subject: How do I know if it's obstructed?

> Hi everyone,
> I am 7 weeks post-op from my 2nd surgery. I was Dx with
> adhesions a few weeks after the surgery (just from my
> symptoms, and adhesion-prone history). The pain I had
> associated with the adhesions is bearable actually, and
> not as bad as it was when it was Dx'd. I know I have them
> in my pelvic area and also some reformed adhesions on my
> upper right abdomen/intestine area (I can feel the pulling
> and pain in there more than anywhere else, and that's where they removed
> the adhesions on my last OP).
>
> I have had severe bowel problems since this 2nd surgery.
> I have been in the ER twice because of no BM, yet alot of pain. Both
> times I was told I was constipated/impacted and sent home with enema and
> laxative instructions. Eventually
> things would move again, but never back to normal and only for a day or
> 2, then I'd go another week to 10 days with no BM and the pain increased
> with time.
>
> I don't vomit, but do feel nausea and lessening of appetite as time goes
> on. I don't get fevers. I just get alot of pain which makes me sweat
> almost constantly. I do pass gas, sometimes painfully sometimes not.
>
> Am I being a hypochondriac thinking I might have a bowel
> obstruction high in my upper intestines? I mean this long after surgery
> my bowels should be working normally again, barring any problems
> correct? The last time I was in the ER I had an xray done. I hadn't
> moved bowels in 6 days. The xrays showed stool only in the upper
> intestines and nothing at all in the lower intestines. Why wasn't it
> moving down into the lowers? Why didn't they think it was obstructed?
>
> I get alot of pain when I eat, my stomach and chest hurts bad. I have
> no heartburn yet they think I might have an ulcer because of the pain
> and nausea with all meals. Every time I eat, it's a struggle not to
> throw up, for hours after. The pepcid (40 mg a day) seems to help with
> that, but not always.
>
> Just curious what your opinions are on this?
> Gina
>


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