blockage

Hi

Mine always occur where I had the loop ileostomy so it is probably narrower where it was sewn together - I think it depends on where the blockage is and how your intestine has settled inside your abdominal wall

Hope this helps

Bert

So, this is the deal:

Once somebody, or anybody, has any sort of abdominal surgery, and especially intestinal surgery, internal scar tissue forms. This scar tissue is called adhesions. They are caused by the trauma of surgery, foreign bodies, infection, maybe even air getting inside...

Think of these adhesions like gum in the works. They are stiff bands of tissue that attach organs to places that were not intended to be attached to. Your intestines were designed to be able to move about, suspended happily from the back wall of your abdomen. Adhesions are like rubber bands getting in the way.

Some people form few of these adhesions, some a lot. But, even if you have a lot of adhesions, it does not mean they will cause problems, or that if you only have a few, they won't cause problems. Just like the freeway, it only takes one stalled car to muck up the whole system and make things back up for miles.

You may think you are doomed, but these adhesions can soften and loosen up over time, and your gut can learn to work around them. If they are terribly problematic, they can release them through surgery. But, the Catch-22 is that more surgery can cause more adhesions, so they don't go there except as a last resort.

Bert is correct that the ileostomy site is the most likely spot for adhesion related obstructions.

Hopefully, this explanation makes some sense to you.

Jan

Jan,
That was a great description on adhesions and how they work. I've seen the multiple surgeries significantly cause the increase in adhesions.

Thank you for your comments. It's confusing for my mind and body. My takedown was Jan 2012 and I've only had problem recently (3 blockages in past 3 mos)...i'm careful not to overeat. I thought perhaps I should turn all my food into baby food consistency....I was eating a lot of brocoli. Do you take care with how/what you eat? Best regards. Traci

Well, we'd like to think we have more control over this, but we really don't. It actually is uncommon for food to be the culprit in these obstructions,unless you are wolfing down your food whole, without chewing at all. Unless you have a very serious stricture, you should be able to eat pretty much any food. Just use common sense. Don't consume an entire pineapple in one sitting, especially if you don't chew it. You get the idea.

Anyway, think of these obstructions like mishaps sort of like being struck by lightening. A random event beyond your control. Your intestines are in constant motion. When you have adhesions in there, every once in a while your gut will zig when it should be zagging, resulting in it getting kinked (like your water hose that doesn't unwind like it should). That is why an obstruction can clear as quickly as it occurred.

What you can do is use your experience to try to prevent any future obstructions from progressing, by stopping solid foods as soon as you feel the symptoms, drinking lots of liquids, move around, maybe even massage your belly. Of course, if the pain is severe and you are vomiting, you need to go to the hospital.

Jan

Thanks jan, this is very helpful information.

We have some railroad tracks in my area. My surgeon jokingly (or not) told us that when we feel an obstruction coming on, to get in the car and drive back and forth over the bumpy railroad tracks! Maybe he's tired of dealing with his patients who tend to get obstructions!

Interesting...I am repeatedly hearing that I need to keep moving, massage my stomach area and now you add bumping around. My natural tendency is to curl up or lie down.....I will definately keep moving next time I feel a blockage. Thanks.