I am 2 years+ post surgery j-pouch and I have luckily not had a lot of problems along the way, however within the last 7-8 months I have had problems with partial blockage. I would get these pains and in the beginning they would work themseleves out over night but the last 3 times I have had to goto the ER as they were lasting 2-3 days. It was confirmed by x-ray and cat-scan that these were in fact partial blockages. I went to my surgeon and he said these could be adhesions or a kink in the intestine that he may be able to fix with surgery but that he would not want to consider it until it was happening more consistantly.

My question to you all is how many others have expeirienced this and have you found ways to prevent it? I travel quite a bit on and off and on 2 occassions these have come at the end of a flight on my way back home. Not sure if that is a coincidence or there is something about flying that can affect this. It has been about 2 months since I have had one (knock on wood) and I have made a few changes. First I am on a low cal diet and have lost 20 pounds and I have also cut back on some medication I have been taking which slows my digestion down. Maybe the combo of those has helped but I amnot sure.

I would appreciate any theories or similar experiences and what you have done to resolve if possible....thanks to all...Mark

Mark

Are you keeping hydrated, especially when flying? Blockages can sometimes be from fibrous and bulky foods, like raw or under cooked veggies. Fresh fruit, like bananas can cause blockages. Chewing is the most important thing to do when you have a Jpouch.


It is most likely adhesions that restrict the flow of any bulky food from passing through easily. I am one of those Jpouchers that can't eat any fruit & most veggies. An occasional Caesar salad is OK. Some cooked carrot, potatoes, cauliflower are tolerated.

If I feel an obstruction coming on, I take Philips Milk of Magnesia, drink hot green tea and take Librax for spasms and Ultram/Tramadol for pain. I try to move around, twisting my waist and stretching. One time I just had to sit, with my knees up to my chin, on the top step of the stairs because I felt dizzy. Well this position must have dislodged the blockage because I felt better and didn't have to go to the ER! If it hurts too much to move,I use a heating pad. If the food does not pass, I will make myself vomit. I would not necessarily suggest this, but it works for me. This is basically what the hospital does for me. If you have extreme pain, of course go to the ER ASAP!

I am going to investigate myofascial release therapy for adhesions.


This is a recent post http://j-pouch.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3251071921/m/5641...831096672#5831096672

My understanding is that "partial blockages" could be caused by dehydration, low potassium, medications that reduce motility (e.g., Imodium), eating too much high-fiber food at once and/or not chewing very well, and stricture.

If you feel a blockage coming on, I'd suggest first fighting dehydration and low potassium by drinking low sodium (high potassium) chicken (or other) broth, and cutting back on the meds that reduce motility and possibly also drinking purple grape juice to increase motility.

I'm not sure that you'd want to take meds to reduce spasms or pain, since most of them also reduce motility. I'm also not sure you want to eat carrots, potatoes, or cauliflower during a partial blockage, since they are significant sources of fiber:

http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fiber-content.php

Your recent weight loss might have helped, because when sitting or standing, your body weight presses on the intestines, making it harder for food to pass through, especially at any tight spots, like strictures, adhesions, etc.