Long term consequences of intussussception and surgery - what can be done?

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

This may end up being long, sorry. When I was 3 months old (1994) I had intussussception, they tried doing the blowing air thing but it didn't work, and some of the tissue had started to die so I had to have surgery on it. As far as I know my parents were never warned about any long-term consequences, but since I was fourteen I've had bouts of unbearable pain and severe constipation - at first it was thought to be IBS but then they took the surgery and the symptoms into account and said it could be due to that. I'm pregnant (33wks) and the pains have worsened a hell of a lot recently, but I figured that was to be expected.

I've got an appointment with a gastroenterologist at last next weekend, but I'm just wondering if anyone has had intussussception as a child and then had further problems, if anything's been done about it and what?

[summer111]

I had an operation for intussusception when I was 9 months old...some 45 years ago. I experienced constipation as a teen and still have a very gassy bowel to this day which can be painful. Over recent years I have found this more so around the time of my period. Therefore it could be hormone related. I'll be interested to hear what the specialist says to you next week if you don't mind, as I've always suspected it is related to my operation.

[MoominIsWaitingToMeetHerMiniMe]

I'll update after the appointment and let you know what's been said and what the next steps are :) I've been in hospital for the pain a couple of times and the doctors who've seen me has said straight away that they want me to see a surgeon eventually and they think surgery will be the answer... so it'll be interesting to see if the specialist agrees :)

[longingforsomesleep]

OMG - I had an intussusception as a baby (am now 55) and have suffered from bloating and constipation for as long as I can remember. I can't wear anything tight or even close fitting around my waist without it causing pain and bloating. I assumed it was IBS but never thought there might be a connection with the op I had when I was a few months old.

[longingforsomesleep]

Just a further comment, I am prone to constipation generally but when I was pregnant it was absolutely terrible. I remember my mum saying she'd found dh outside the bathroom looking really upset because he could hear me crying with pain.