i originally posted this on the general discussion board but think i should have put my question here.
i am 4 years post j-pouch surgery. i have had a few problems and blips along the way but essentially things were going great until July. i thought i had a partial BO from something i ate (it has happened from time to time). however, once it cleared up it happend again about every 3-5 weeks. i have changed my diet somewhat and tried to eat several small meals a day. i do not feel like it is what i eat but the portion size. i have lost weight. i have had 2 CT scans, UGI w/SB follow through, capsul endoscopy, flat plate of the abd. i have also seen the gynocologist!! nothing shows up but i am miserable when it happens and in pain. i am contemplating another surgery to see if it can be found. has anyone else had this problem? (sorry this is so long)
JA
dx uc 3/00
perforated bowel and er surgery w/ileostomy placement 4/00 (yes those dates are correct)
Er surgery for BO from adhesions 8/00
superior messenteric artery syndrome (mechanical BO from wt loss) Put on TPN for 3 months 3/01
j-pouch construction surgery 3/03 (pelvis abcess 5 weeks post op)
Take down surgery 8/03

I've noticed I get clusters of blockages. For a period of time last year, I was in the ER with one every month. It usually happens when I eat sausage, then a huge meal. I stopped that for a few months, and now I only get them every once in a while. Do you notice any correlation, such as exactly what you ate before? Certain foods can cause blockages.

For me lettuce is the worst for obstructions. In any case, my advice is to really take the time to chew the heck out of your food and be sure to drink plenty to stay hydrated. See if that helps.
Ted.

Thank you both for the feedback. yes, in the past if it happened i always knew it was because i had a meal with vegetables that were either raw or crisp tender. after a few times with that i learned my lesson
now it seems it does not matter what but rather the portion size. i have kept a food diary and it has gotten to the point that i am eating things that are more mushy, soups and things like that because i am getting a little gun shy.
i guess my biggest problem is for the longest time my surgeon kept saying it can't be a blockage because it does not show up on any tests. but in my heart i know it is. he was so exasperated he was like i'll take you to surgery only if you say you can't live like this anymore.
i don't like making a huge decision like this feeling like it is based on emotion. i have always felt that i trust and have good communication with my surgeon. maybe he is fustrated too?
i think it is impacting the quality of my life and i have been living like this for 10 months. I just don't know anybody else until i got on this site that i could ask if this is just the way it is and it might go away or....
JA