Adventures in Bowel Obstructions

All of us crohnies have a different set of symptoms, not everyone presents the same. My first few years I basically had nothing but non-stop bloody diarrhea, which led to other issues (dehydration, anemia, malnutrition). I would be hospitalized for a few days and sent on my way feeling like a new person. I don’t want to downplay it, it was hell.

My typical issues shifted after I “graduated” to a more severe case following my first surgery. As a post-surgical patient, I’ve learned to deal with partial bowel obstructions thanks to all that nasty scar tissue lingering in the depths of my scary bowels. A partial bowel obstruction is nowhere near as bad as a full bowel obstruction. A full bowel obstruction will require hospitalization. You’ll get a not-so-fun nasogastric tube, which is kind of like a fun straw, but not really. Surgery is rare, but if the blockage is not relieved it becomes necessary. Reminder: I’m not a doctor, there is a medical disclaimer on my blog.

A partial bowel obstruction (in my case) usually lasts a day or two and doesn’t really require a hospital stay, unless I’m out of pain meds. How do I know the difference? Well, with a partial bowel obstruction I still have a little bit of output through my stoma. No gas, and usually my stoma likes to make noise, so things get quiet. Not to mention the gut-wrenching pain that comes with an obstruction. It’s awful, I take a hot shower, curl up in a ball and drug myself. Not necessarily in that order.

I have to count on a narcotic, which isn’t great, but it’s what works. Medical marijuana has just become legal here in Florida, but not yet available. Yes, I’ve tried marijuana, recreationally, not for actual Crohn’s issues, but I am willing to give it a shot.

I know doctors aren’t thrilled to use narcotic pain relief for someone with chronic issues, it leads to a lot of other problems. However I don’t have to be in pain, there are options available. I do my best to take only when needed.

After I’ve taken a hot shower and drugged myself I crawl into bed with my heating pad and turn to Netflix for some comfort TV. The narcotics aren’t magic, and the pain doesn’t completely disappear, it just kind of becomes . . . dull and I’m able to sleep a little.

I avoid eating. Kind of obvious, if things are already backed up let’s not make it worse. I try to drink plenty of fluids. I know it’s going to pass when I start to pass gas and actually have output. The pain lingers for the rest of the day, but I can tell the worse has passed. The next day I’m usually much better, just a little sore still. I try to eat soft or bland foods until I know everything is back to normal. How do I know everything is back to normal? Absolutely no pain.

This was me last Tuesday. I woke up about 5:00 a.m. feeling this sort of weight in my right lower abdomen and it wasn’t long before the pain was much worse. I tried to get ready for work, but eventually, I realized there was no point in trying to torture myself. I have sick days, this is what they are for. I showered and drugged myself and crawled into bed. Here are some of my snapchats from that day.

Now, if I don’t have pain meds I usually head to the ER. It’s going to cost me a day or two of work and a $300 co-payment (plus 30%). Money shouldn’t be a factor in my decision, but it’s always there in the back of my mind. Also, if I go to the ER they can rule out anything else, like an abscess or full obstruction. Most ER doctors look at my history and know what I’m talking about. They load me up on fluids and pain meds, usually scan my abdomen and always consult with my GI. Most of the time I get to go home, sometimes I don’t, depending on the results.

ER visits are not fun. If I’m going to go, I try to go really early, like before 7:00 a.m. Typically, it’s very quiet, it’s right before shift change, and you can get a bed right away. Typically, for me, my ER is quiet at that time. I always bring my iPad and headphones, the hospital has WiFi. I’ve spent many hours just staring at the ceiling, now with handheld devices and WiFi everywhere, this is a thing of the past. However, some days I still just stare at the ceiling, just for nostalgia, or I’m drugged.

A partial blockage sounds like a big deal, it’s not fun and extremely painful, but it only knocks me down for a day or two. It’s just one of those things I deal with living with Crohn’s Disease. I would love to be in remission, but considering that I’ve only been in remission once (for about 5 minutes) in the almost 17 years that I’ve had Crohn’s Disease, I realize it’s a pipe dream. I’m pretty sure I’m always going to have active disease, as long as I can manage it. Right now, one sick day in three months is manageable (for me).

Medical Disclaimer:  This content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.

P.S. – Don’t you love my stock photo “girl in pain”?