Adhesions/Intestinal blockage

[booellesmum]

Lying in bed in pain again and really fed up.
I have a narrowing in my small intestine due to adhesions (post appendectomy/peritonitis) and it is prone to blocking intermittently.
I had surgery to remove some adhesions/part of the bowel 31 years ago when it blocked completely and then was in hospital on a drip 3 years ago but it cleared without surgery.
The times I am in pain are increasing and now happening every few weeks.
Does anyone else have this?

Yes! I had a big 9 hour operation 4 years ago and have a permanent stoma. No problem after that but last year had another op, which turned out to be for nothing, and have had bouts of severe pain, being sick, unable to function and I've been told it's probably adhesions. I'm absolutely fed up with it. Everyone just shrugs and says further surgery might cause more problems. I've found that it goes away after not eating at all for two days which I thought I could tolerate. However, the last time took 2 weeks! So I have requested to be referred back to the Colorectal surgeon. I sympathise

They told me at the hospital if I had any pain not to eat for 24 hours so I do that and generally settles. It's the increasing frequency that worries me. I don't see the point in going back at the moment until I have a complete blockage again as they don't want to operate in case cause more adhesions.
If you don't mind me asking how do you cope with your stoma?
I hope the surgeon can help when you go back.

I know I'm supposed to avoid too much fibre, no baked potato skins, fruit skins etc.
Last night I had green beans with dinner so I think that is the culprit today. DH grew them in the garden and they were very nice so I hope he's not offended when I don't eat any more!
It has crossed my mind to just give up and stick to a liquid diet.

I know what you mean. It's so disheartening to feel normal and then Wham! the pain starts. I'm not convinced that specific foods set it off but I'm now more careful and try to be reasonably low fibre. My stoma is pretty routine day-to-day and I'm not convinced it gets blocked when I have a bout of pain. If you don't eat for 2 days, not much is going to come out is it? Do you have a stoma too?

No, no stoma at the moment but just asking as I seriously wonder if that is way this will go eventually.
I'm a take things as they come kind of person so what happens happens but I'm just feeling fed up today. Doesn't help that I woke up with a migraine as well.

Just wondering how you are. For me the stoma is the least of my worries! If you do end up having one you'll get it off to a fine art pretty quickly. You have to carry some spare bags, wipes etc with you so it's like going back to having a baby bag! Although I find managing the stoma routine, I sometimes find it embarrassing and I am usually very confident. If we go to someone's home and I need to change it I'm never sure where to put the bag of "waste" 💩 sometimes I put it in my bag and take it home! I'm always aware how long I'm taking in the loo with other people around. I also have to use a changing room if I go swimming because I have to change it when it's wet. HTH

I've had similar adhesions/blockages/multiple surgeries 20 years ago. Relatively problem free now but it's a constant worry for me. Especially during my 2 pregnancies & deliveries (avoided c-sec!). Don't have any solutions but just thought I'd say you are not alone.

Thankful both.
Feeling much better now. The spasms lasted around 24 hours and then had 4 days of feeling really sore. Some meals this week have been fine and some have caused an achy pain but not the severe spasms.
Will continue to be careful...

Don't know if this helps but I keep a list of 'food to be avoided' in my head and steer clear of those. Prevention seems to be the safest method..

Would you share your list? Mine so far is coleslaw, potato skins and fruit. I don't like fruit much, especially dried, but I love vegetables and salad

Yes I have adhesions too following gynae surgeries several years ago. I've had lots of hospital admissions with obstructions, luckily not needed surgery so far but I've had to have NG tube down quite a few times which is horrid. I dread it when I get that feeling of not even being able to pass wind and I know what is coming!

I know I need to avoid potato skin, fruit with the skin on (apples/pears), can only eat small amounts of veg particularly green veg, and can't eat too much pasta/bread/pizza etc.
On holiday recently I had an awful night after eating fish and chips but then usually that would be ok.