Partial blockage

Heating pad ; walking ; keeping yourself hydrated are important.
I hope it passes soon.

Thank you beaucfree. I hope it passes too. It is sometimes hard to know if liquids are breaking things up or just going around the blockage. The pain and distention are a little bit better but it is still pretty bad.

Like Beucfree said, it's important to keep hydrated. One thing that works for me most often is lying down and putting my feet up. Occasionally will bring my knees into my chest too.

Avoided the ER for almost 10 years that way. Yes, the it could be the apple. Hope it passes soon.

-Roni*

Thanks Roni*. I will try raising my feet and the knee bends. I have also been lying on my stomach as I thought this might break things up but it is painful so I can't do it for long. Another question I have is about the grape juice. I have only been drinking water and, of course, no solids. Would grape juice help, and if so, white or purple? I have heard both as possibly helpful for blockages. And by the way, I am 3 years living with the j pouch and in the past year I have struggled with constipation (I know it is rare) probably due to a low dose of narcotic pain medicine I take for a spinal cord injury.

White grape juice helps.

The magic bullet for me is always warm liquids. Coffee or hot soup tends to move things right out of me.

Hope this helps. These things suck.

Thanks dtmack. Hot liquids are best for me too. I don't have any white grape juice on hand only the purple. Will that work too? I can't get out to pick up the other until this thing resolves.
Savannah

unfortunately had several blockages in late December/January and was stuck with the dreaded NG Tube 3 times..I would recommend walking as much as possible and staying hydrated.

Good luck!

Jpouchmike, so sorry to hear of your blockages and the dreaded NG tube. I hope my current blockage won't come to that but it might. The pain is kinda bad but I will try to move around some. You are so right that movement, especially just walking, helps these things resolve on their own if they can.

I always have blockages, although since the adhesion surgery I've only been to the hospital once Had one last week for two days. Just when I thought it was safe to eat, came right back. I live with a heating pad attached to my stomach. And drink drink drink, walk walk walk. Passes quickly. When I start throwing up that's when it's time to hit the ER but like I said it's been only once in the last 4 years. Before that it would be every 4 to 6 weeks.

Savannah,

Just checking, has the blockage passed yet?

In answer to your question, purple grape juice is perfectly fine. In fact, you should be drinking fluids other than just water.

Hoping things have moved along for you.

-Roni*

Thanks for checking on me. I am in the hospital now and hopeful that bowel rest and IV fluids, pain medicine and anti nausea medicine will be the needed cocktail. I am starting to feel a little bit better.
Savannah

The one thing I learned in the hospital is that pain meds can slow down the intestinal tract...just something to keep an eye on.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

Wow! So sorry to hear the blockage went that far.
jpouchmike is right. Those pain meds can certainly contribute to blockages.
Hoping you're doing better today. Please keep us updated.

-Roni*

So, here in the hospital about 24 hours on IV liquids and now will halt the anti nausea med. and pain med which were helpful yesterday but would slow things down today. There has been a little improvement with the blockage which is a partial one but seems to have a stubborn hold. I have wondered today if it is best to just take things slowly or swallow the NG tube and suction the blockage more quickly. I have never had the tube and I feel quite afraid of it. On the other hand, with past partial blockages I have sometimes needed to stay on a near liquid diet for 5-7 days which is also very frustrating. Any thoughts from all of my kind friends here would be appreciated. Thank you jpouchmike and Roni* for your posts. Keeps me strong.
Savannah

Was threatened with it once, but thankfully things got better before the threat was carried out!
Just curious, I had my surgery in St. Paul almost 10 years ago. How long ago did you have yours? Who's your surgeon?

Praying things will loosen up and you'll be on your way home soon.

-Roni*

The issue I have with NG tubes is that doctors tend to leave them in for 2-3 days once they put them in..it wouldn't be all that bad if they would just insert it, suction everything out, and then pull it. But unfortunately they don't want to have to do it a second time so they leave them in.

I've had them a few times, and though they are uncomfortable they definitely work..

I've had blockages from rice,and boiled carrots. After several trips to the ER over the years,I discovered by accident one night,that if I lay on my left side for an hour or so, the blockage will usually clear itself.I can feel the pressure at the take down site.The blockage will give me a full and slosh y sensation 3-4 hours after eating.Then violent cramps,and then vomiting.I don't eat or drink anything until the blockage clears.

On my way home tomorrow with any luck. I am feeling much better with the blockage greatly diminished. I may have to stay on liquids another day or two at home after discharge but thankful to have ducked the NG tube. They didn't even really consider it so I'm glad they are willing to allow some time for just complete bowel rest with hydration to do the trick. Thank you all for the support. I appreciated your care and concern
Savannah

So my friends, I was in the hospital for 7 days with this blockage and then released but the obstruction was not fully resolved at the time. I am now on day 14 and feel close to being clear but all I can say is YIKES it has taken a long time. At home I went back on clear liquids only and I believe I needed to do that even though they suggested I gradually advance my diet. I have learned that each person is the real expert on how their body is working. And I know, I must have some dandy adhesions in there. I see my primary care doc for follow up tomorrow so I hope the blockage is entirely gone by then. I would like to eat, that's for sure but mostly I long to feel healthy. Thanks for all the help and support from everyone.
Savannah

Wow....thats a long time to put up with a blockage.
i had a few and the worst one I had the tube.
It's not that bad until they leave it in too long.
But as soon as they they put it in I felt relief.
I don't think i would have put up with it for two weeks.
18 straight hours of severe pain was enough.
I would have done anything.
So much junk came up from the tube it was unreal.
Richard.

Yeah, Richard, had I known from the outset it would take so long I probably would have put up with the tube too but I had no idea.
Savannah

Savannah OMG I am walking your walk however, I remained in the hospital for 12 days. No NG tube just IV. Every time I got to puree foods I would have another blockage or I was told I could go home I would get dressed and then start vomiting everything that was in me. 3/28 - 4/8 was my days in hospital! Yesterday the problem started all over again. This is my first obstruction since having j pouch and have no idea what to do or expect. I am with you maybe I should have opted for the NG tube and this would not be still continuing. I have been going more today but I have not had any real solids as of yet. So afraid to even test the water at this point. Let me know how you are doing now. Stay tune....!
Roberta
j pouch 2012

I am so sorry, Roberta. We ARE in the same situation as I am at home now but still on a liquid diet (week 3) and will probably stay on liquids another few days. I am also afraid to advance my diet as my gut feels airy and I am not certain that everything is clear. It is frustrating as I normally eat very carefully with small meals, judicious consumption of fiber but some of it daily to keep things flowing, lots of drinking and a fair amount of walking. I think this time it may have been that I was taking a little bit more of a narcotic pain medicine that may have slowed my intestines. That and an apple with some nuts may have caused the blockage. What do you think may be the cause or causes of your obstruction? I ask this knowing full well that for both of us adhesions may be the largest factor in our small bowel obstructions. Keep your spirits up!

RLC.....if you have a j pouch you can expect to not have solids.
That said diarrhea is not to be worried about when having a pouch.
Thats what I was told at the beginning. ....and that's what I have.
I don't expect solids but as long as I am going I am happy.

I have found that walking everyday has really helped. We all have adhesions because we've all had multiple surgeries.

Also, I drink ensure to keep up with the vitamins and nutrients.

Best of luck to all of us!

Thank you all for responding! I have started on solids (if you want to call) scrambled eggs, mash potatoes and cod solids. Savannah you must be so weak. Every morning I feel like I started over again. I have started to go a lot last night and the sounds are back. I guess that is a great thing! What a walk we have to take and make with these diseases. I always thought that once I succeed with this j pouch we would get a reprieve for a few years. My spirit is crushed a little right now. Lots of tears the other day and that is not ME! Here is to a better day today. One day at a time!
Jpouchmike I did half my boost drink yesterday and will be doing the other half this morning. Certainly feel a difference once I drink that. Also, doing the instant carnation drink and that helps as well. You are so right on the walking. Gotta keep moving!
Savannah I have know idea what caused the restriction! This came out of no where! Tuesday I went many times and Wednesday afternoon I am completely blocked! Probably the adhesions. I do yoga every other day (thought that might be it). I am not aggressive with it. I am home and do it at my pace. I guess I have to get on the treadmill more often to keep things moving. Who knows?!
Thanks for listening!
Roberta

I would like to chime in here because I think the same thing is happening to me. Starring about 5days ago I had kind of a stomach ache, just below the belt. By yesterday I was in pretty serious pain (which is big because my pain threshold is much too high for my own good) so I went to emerg last night. The place was a zoo, but they gave me IV fluids and a shot of something called buscopan, apparently an anti spasmodic, meant to loosen my guts. No dice. X-rays showed no perf or other weirdness, just a fair bit of gas and stool in the tract, so they just sent me home. I feel things kind of gurgling around in there, but I'm still pretty uncomfortable. Kind of hungry but really don't feel like eating.

I'm almost 4 months after my surgery and this is very new to me, first issue I've had. At this point I seeking help from those who know. This thread has many great suggestions, and I'm hoping something works, because I really dread the thought of another lengthy hospital stay. Thanks for letting me vent!

Karenchase- try not to worry and reduce whatever is stressful that is not an essential stressor. I know that is much easier said than done but be intentional about creating some calm and relaxation in your life. Worry and tension can bind up the gut, especially for us pouchers. My blockage is slowly easing and yours will ease up too. If not, it's just back to the ER so you don't need to panic. From what you've said your obstruction is a simple blockage and everything about your pouch is intact. Be patient with your gut and it will heal.
Stay calm, Savannah

Thanks, Savannah. I am also very bad at recognizing and managing stress, and there is a pretty big one in my life right now. Good advice, I'll try to take it