Hi there! Diagnosed with UC in 1989; J-Pouch in 1992 and had first blockage immediately after the reconnection surgery. Since then I've probably had about 10 blockages with 1/2 ending up in the hospital on an NG tube. Once I had surgery (2012) due to scar tissue from original surgery and probably my fault because I waited too long to go to ER. I know the signs and I take steps to remediate at home first, heating pads, only liquids, and drink milk of magnesia. But if that doesn't help within 24 hours I go right to ER and tell them I need vallum/morphine and that I have a blockage.
The foods that have triggered: broccoli, hibachi vegetables, and sadly beer. All from TOO much at once. I've learned these lessons:
1 - everything in moderation is ok but don't eat all your kids hibachi veggies because you love them and they hate them; ditto with broccoli
2 - the sooner you go to the hospital the better the chance you can be treated with drugs and an NG versus surgery
3 - if in the hospital and the NG doesn't appear to be helping MAKE THEM do an x-ray to check placement of the tube in your stomach -- I was in so much agony for several days until they did this and then the machine was working over-time. You have to be your own patient advocate! This is what happened after drinking a very dark hoppy beer - it was not pretty!
By now I know the signs and I am not naïve to think it won't happen again but every day, every month, every year it doesn't I am grateful. And I now drink mostly wine but occasionally I will have 1-2 beers and enjoy every sip!