I am in shock for you and so disappointed! I've only had 1 total blockage but within 2 hours  I went from cramps and severe gas to  lying on the floor in the fetal position throwing up yelling for my husband who had already called the E squad! When I told them that I didn't have a colon, they knew what was going on. They gave me fentanyl for pain.  One suggestion is call the squad because it is an EMERGENCY! They treat you like an EMERGENCY and they certainly will control your pain until test results and xrays are back and they confirm the blockage. Go to a major medical center Emergency Dept.  They see these symptoms frequently. I too have many adhesions, and there is no question that something is terribly wrong.  I don't think that I've ever had a PARTIAL blockage. How do you KNOW you have a partial or a twisted bowel?? And how did you get it UNtwisted?? Take care......

Roni, why not ask your GI doctor for a testimonial that you often have that kind of problems with blockages after j-pouch surgery (and what needs to be done), so you can show on arrival to the ER and they know how serious it is?

I don't really know for sure it's a twisted bowel until it releases. The first time it happened I could literally feel it untwist and it felt like my intestines gave birth to a new organ...like something just spewed out of it. There was a big whooshing sound and feeling.

In a partial blockage, some liquid will go through, but there's more dense stool behind it that can't pass. Very painful! But when it finally does pass, the pain stops immediately.

Complete blockage for me is when nothing will pass at all. My abdomen gets distended with gas, it hurts too much to scream...I can only whimper. I can also feel it when it passes through, there is so much pain, but as soon as it goes through it's such a relief! When those get too unbearable is when I go to the ER, but like I said, I end up waiting a long time for a doctor or for a CT scan and it always goes through while I'm waiting. Sometimes even on the way to the hospital.

No one ever seems too concerned about it when I show up. They have me filling out paperwork while I feel like I'm about to die from the pain, then have me wait in the waiting room for a long time, and when they bring me back they take some vitals, they will do an ekg which is always fine, but then I just wait...until it passes on its own.

But you're right, I never think to call 911 because I'm so used to it clearing up on the way to the hospital, now I just tell my husband to take me to the hospital parking lot...LOL

I know for sure at the first sign of getting cold like that, I will call 911. That was the first time it had ever gotten that bad in over 20 years. I did immediately warm up as soon as it corrected itself.

The way it cleared up? ...Had to be God.

Thanks for your suggestions!

To SteveG

When I lived in Florida I had a doctor that told me to go to the ER right away and tell them I need an immediate CT scan. When I asked him if he'd give me a note, he just looked at me funny., never giving me a note.

But I've found that ER docs don't like being told what you need. (Maybe that's why I've always had to wait so long LOL).

We moved to Georgia a couple of years ago and haven't found a doctor yet. You can bet I'm going to find one now!

Thanks, Steve.

Roni, and thank God for God! That always helps!  I don't think you have to worry about your small intestine exploding bc the NG tube keeps pressure off the blockage (and any expansion of your small intestine) by expelling any gas or liquid through your nose and into a collection device.  I'm sure the docs are mentoring your condition  via your BP, heart monitor, pulse and temperature .  Your vital signs would be out of control if there was any risk of infection or  perforation. They won't let anything else happen.  You are kind of held in low pain limbo until they figure it out!  Go to a large Med Center if possible so they are used to seeing patients like us coming onto ER.  Take care....

Drbev603,

Thank you!

I too have had frequent partial blockages and very painful twisting of the small intestine due to adhesions which can last several hours or sometimes longer. What I have found really helps is taking 4 grams of Ascorbic acid (vitamin c)  it can cause diarrhea but it seems to ease the pain and blockage and I haven't needed to go to the hospital. 🤞

Thank you Saffron64,

I never in a million years would have thought of that! How did you learn of that trick?

I have been using large doses of vitamin C for this pain for years I had my colon removed 31 years ago and still get a lot of problems. I don't like taking drugs and always prefer to find a nutritional supplement instead. I am now trying Oregano oil for SIBO/pouchitis just trial and error really as I've never had much help from doctors. Hope you find something that works for you 👍

I know I’m late to this discussion- but typically when I go to the ER I use the magic words “small bowel obstruction”.  That’s a really dangerous condition for anyone to have, and they whip me right in.  

Hope that helps for next time.

Yes

Long time ago.

All I remember is it was the worst pain I ever felt in my life.

Richard.

My jpouch twisted and I was in pain every time I ate. I ended up starving myself in the end