Hey- does anyone else (who has had a j-pouch for a few years) get severe abdominal pain and bloating and cant go to the bathroom? It lasts from a few hours to a day. My doctors cannot figure it out...they think that it is adhesions spasming...(I have a had 7 major abdominal surgeries so I am a mess inside)...anyways I am taking Bentyl to help...but it doesnt really and I cant function when I get this pain...Jan, do you have any idea? Are you a nurse?

I've had a ton of abdominal surgeries as well and I, on average, get a blockage once or twice a year (that requires hospitalization) and have for the last eight years. I was always told it was probably all the scar tissue getting kinked around the intestines and blocking them off for a while. Sometimes I'll get one that only lasts a few hours and resolves itself, if it doesn't, it's off to the ER with me.

I think these are pretty common in those of us that have undergone these surgeries.
There are several people here that offer suggestions like walking around a lot, getting on all fours and rocking back and forth, sipping hot tea, and drinking water. It was even suggested to try hanging upside down (which I swear my boyfriend can't wait for me to get another one so I can try that)
As far as I know, there is nothing we can do to prevent these or really cause them (although I believe stress plays a huge roll in me getting one). It is just another thing we have to deal with.

Sure sounds like adhesion related obstructions to me. Plus, the fact that they can't find anything wrong makes it even more likely. These partial obstructions can come and go, depending on whether your gut is zigging or zagging. I am sure you know that there isn't much to do about it other than lysis of adhesions. However, if your past surgeries were done without barrier film, using in the adhesion release surgery may prevent future adhesions from forming. Also, some folks say they have gotten some good results with massage therapy to break up adhesions. But, to me it sounds a bit spooky to be trying to tear up adhesions from the outside. I'd be worried about causing internal bleeding or bowel perforation from it.

Jan

Hi,
My 16 y.o. daughter has the same symptoms you do. We call them "blockage like" symptoms as they usually come with nausea as well for her. She has been hopitalized for obstructions that don't pass on their own, but these eventually give way without dehydration. She had a small bowel follow through and upper and lower endoscopy and no reason for the symptoms was discovered. She is often incapacitated by the pain. She had four major abdominal surgeries last year, so adhesions make good sense even though they used all the barrier film in the hospital. The last surgery was to cut out 8 ahesions and do a small bowel resection, but she only got a few months of releif. I wish there was an easy fix, but the only thing that seems to help my daughter is a liquid diet until she feels better. I think Jan's description of the zigging and zagging is probably right...how can the docs see the problem if all the tests are done after not eating for a day? Anyway, I hope you feel better real soon.

I had these type symptoms for a few years and it was finally discovered that I had a stricture at the inlet to the pouch. I had surgery almost a year ago (strictureplasty) and it is like night and day now when I eat. No more pain and spasms when things try to pass into the pouch. This was found with a CT contrast type test and f/u scope.