What does a blockage feel like?

Common symptoms: abdominal pain, bloating, belching, lack of BMs or gas (or very runny BMs - which would indicate a partial blockage). The pain from a blockage occurs cyclically - increasing each time in both frequency and intensity. They are NO fun!

Steve

My blockages are very painful, usually nothing has come out of the rectum for a least 2 hours and the abdomen is extended some near the pouch and you want to scream. Red wine, a bottle helps push things through and sit in a very hot tub.

I feel you pain! A warm heating pad on your belly helps sooth when you have discomfort from blockage. It helps move things along! Hope you're feeling better : )

While I have not had one, I saw my brother having one when I visited him after a non-related operation.

He was hurting badly, saying he had felt nauseous all night the night before, and then it started hurting.

You might have a stricture, which crimps the outflow and makes it hard to poop.

Depends on whether it is a blockage due to a physical obstruction or blockage due to ileus/cessation of peristalsis.

Blockages due to physical obstruction have a very distinctive sensation based on my experience having 4 complete blockages and 2 partials that resolved. It is best described as a knotted up feeling in a distinct area which causes pulsating pain every time there is peristalsis of the bowels. In other words it is not constant pain but it increases over time as contents build behind the blockage and peristalsis hurls those contents against the blockage. As the pain increases nausea begins.

Blockages due to ileus are not accompanied by the same knotted up sensation but are primarily characterized by EXTREME, INTENSE nausea followed by explosive vomiting until the NG tube gets inserted.

My blockages sound similar to what you are feeling. In addition to what you described, typically every few minutes or so I will get a gurlging noise and intense cramp for a brief period of time. Also, your tummy will distend.

Sometimes I will wait in the toilet for that intense cramp to come. That is typically a good time to try and use the bathroom. Sometimes works.

Good Luck!

My advice is to walk, drink lots of fluid (hot tea is good), talk very warm baths, go on liquids. If the pain does not improve then go on 100% clear liquids. A daily stool softener should also be OK to make things easier to pass.

If you get an intense feeling that you have to go, sit down and zero comes out, then that sounds like a real blockage to me!

As long as you are not in intense pain I would wait it out at home doing clear liquids. If you go to the hospital too soon, they may insert an NG tube which I got to warn you is horrendous. Also, the stress of being away from home often makes it harder to go.

Listen to your body. If you are uncomfortable, wait it out. If it is intense pain, call your DR ASAP.

Hope this is helpful.

My blockages are usually around my scars try chugging Gatorade helps me break it up stretching and making myself throw up helps too the pain for me feels like stabbing or stretching in my guts