Bowel obstruction

[Bowelagain]

Has anyone got any experience of bowel obstruction?

DH was admitted to hospital last night due to having stomach pains. He has been diagnosed with a bowel obstruction and currently has a tube through his nose which is pushing fluids (possibly medication too) into him in the hope of clearing the obstruction. Apparently the surgeons are still debating whether they should operate.

Has anyone got any experience, it’s hard not being there to ask questions (no visitors allowed) and DH isn’t quite taking it all in.

It sounds as though he has a nasogastric tube in to drain the stomach and hopefully stop him vomiting. Obstructions can be caused by a number of things and sometimes resting the gut can sort the problem and other times intervention is required.

I suspect they’re giving him fluids intravenously to keep him hydrated while he can’t have anything orally. He will have had an X-ray which will have shown an obstruction and may or may not have had a CT.

Can you ring the ward and ask to speak with the nurse looking after him? You’ll get a bit more information that way.

Oh dear. Doesn't sound good. Does he have a history of this sort of thing or other health concerns ?

Sorry only experience was with my 10 month old but yy to all above.

DS had a tube draining any fluids etc and then fluids in via IV. Ours was caused by s at tissue from prior abdo surgery so they had to operate and remove a section of bowel which basically fixed him.

Agree with Swizz, I'd call up and ask to speak to his nurse and ask of she can explain as DH is frazzled

Thanks for the replies.

DH had an x-ray and CT last night and another X-ray today. A dr saw him this evening and said it looks like he can avoid surgery and will just need to stay in for a couple more days for observation.

DH had pyloric stenosis as a baby so does have scar tissue. Other than that he’s very healthy and I don’t recall him having a sick day in the 20 years we’ve been together. He’s so sad about the nasal gastric tube, it’s surprisingly large and the insertion was awful but he’s said he’s in less pain so it’s helping.

I know they suck op and coming out isn't fun other, bit it's definitely preferable ATM .

The scar tissue might be part of the issue, it's great he won't need more surgery.

I was in hospital last month with a bowel obstruction, mine was caused by scar tissue. I had part of my bowel removed 6 years ago and needed a stoma for a while and along with a c-section and appendix scar so lots of scar tissue going on.
The hospital didn't want to rush for surgery at first as that would mean more scar tissue so i also had the gastric tube put in in casualty. For me that was the most wretched thing I've ever had to endure so I feel for your DH.
I still needed the surgery though and was in hospital for 10 days.
Do you know what's causing the obstruction?
Sending you both a big hug

Not sure if it's the same for every hospital but when I was in my DH was called every morning with an update as i was off my head on morphine and not making sense. This was done for everyone every day because of the visiting ban

DH had his tube removed yesterday morning and was given lunch of mashed potatoes with gravy as he needed a soft diet I would assume it should be light too and potatoes are heavy. I popped into see him in the evening, in the corridor outside the ward, and he already had a stomach ache again. I called the nurse this morning and she said DH was sick in the night so she gave him anti sickness medication and painkillers- I’m hoping the drs see him very soon as I suspect he will need surgery.

In my experience I didn't start on soft food for days, had to cope with free fluids first....soup and yoghurt mainly. My tube stayed in for a week cos I was being so sick. The only thing that worked was surgery to remove the scar tissue
Fingers crossed the docs are on the ball with him

DH is in surgery now. Best case scenario the issue will be sorted via keyhole surgery, worst case he’ll lose his bowel and need a bag. I just want him back home and out of pain.
A few months ago everyone was fit and well and now DH has his bowel issues and DD was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and had a hospital stay. 2020 really is a difficult year in so many ways.

Oh that sounds really tough, hope he's much better very soon

All the very best @Bowelagain - I hope he has the best recovery possible

Hi OP I have had this several times due to previous surgery on the tummy. As PPs mention scar tissue can trap with small bowel and it can twist, it means as he is going into surgery they will remove what is causing the problem and any compromised bowel

They told me may need a stone but never have, they can reverse that also. He will probably feel much better after the op. NG tubes are horrible

It is a common problem - some women can have it from C sections (but fairly rare) but not often talked about. for his recovery.

I’ve had various vowel resection for blockages due to crohns and have a bag again now by choice , it’s a fairly routine surgery and recovery time is quick - I hope he recovers well

Bowel ^

I used to work as a nurse in this area.
The first nasal tube he would have had would be an Andersons tube.
If somebody gets really obstructed the tube can help bring up any faecal fluid. It can help reduce pain.

Obviously if somebody is obstructed they are nil by mouth.

Im assuming he wasn't obstructed since they took the tube out. But uou would never start somebody on potatoes. Its like jelly and ice cream, yoghurts, clear soup.

Anyway I hope your husbands surgery goes ok. Some ppl may need a bag temporarily and it can be reversed.
Hope you get good news soon.

Hope the surgery has gone well, but it's no big deal if he needs a stoma. I ended up with one for 4 months 6 years ago and then had it reversed. Once you get over the initial shock it's life changing in a good way.
But if it's just scar tissue like me in Oct he'll prob get away with it being removed and be home soon.
One thing for him to consider if he's prone to scar tissue he might need to look into being on a low fibre diet. Have a google

Thanks for all your kind words.

The surgery went well, They had to open him up and he had a bowel resection. At least he’s on the road to recovery now and if it happens again he’ll get treatment sooner.

Thanks @Ahrightsoted I’ll look into a low fibre diet.

Glad to hear it went well he will hopefully be more comfortable now.

Glad surgery has gone well

Great news!!! I found the surgery to remove the scar tissue much easier to recover from, just felt a bit battered and bruised. For me having the tube was the worst and was so glad when it finally came out.
They will be listening for bowel sounds and he should be able to have free fluids-soup and yoghurt and then if he can tolerate that he can go on soft food.
Our problem now is how quickly the scar tissue will grow back. My surgeon said during the first 6 months it grows back at its hardest and fastest. Which is why he needs to watch his diet, I was told no fresh fruit or salad and a low fibre diet. Nothing with skin, nuts, seeds basically nothing that's healthy! An average dinner for me is mash, chicken, gravy and very well cooked carrots.
I see my surgeon next week to see what happens next for me. My scar tissue was mainly around my old stoma and I still get pain there.
Good luck to him and hope he's home soon xx

These things can be odd- sometimes adhesions can recur, I went through a time of a few surgeries and bad episodes but thankfully now a few years since the last one. Fingers crossed he has some respite now Bowel rest can help if it flares up again and a low fibre diet for a while they can prescribe e.g. Ensure as well

They have said inside my tummy is now a 'conglomererate' due to all the surgery (basically all stuck together) but it fingers crossed seems to still digest food OK.

I think I have a parcial obstruction omg the pain !!! Can anyone see anything as I don't know what I'm looking for thank U

You need to speak to your doctors, I don't think anyone here can help with the scans.