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I want to first start off by apologizing that I only come here when I need advice. It just hit me that I need to spend more time here responding to those that are new to jpouch or contemplating jpouch.

So, I think I have an issue. I have a had 3 or 4 incidents in the past 3 or 4 months or less that I have had a blockage that has passed on its own but with much fear on my end as i had one 10 years ago that required surgery. I have since eliminated all vegetables and really all fruit...anything that caused a problem.  I have been nauseous the past few days.....thought it was a new vitamin I was taking. I havent taken the vitamin for a couple of days and today I feel less nauseous but I feel more bloated. I am still having bowel movements but definitely bloated. Worse is that I am out of town and paranoid that I am going to end up in the hospital!

Would you guys just suggest bowel rest? Should I take anything to reduce the bloating in my tummy? I have contemplated going home just because it feels the start of something bad but it could just be the vitamins that I have been taking for 2 weeks that is catching up with me or something I ate or drank (bc I did a bourbon tasting yesterday and I typically do not drink) although the nauseous was before yesterday. 

I hate this. I am grateful I am alive. I am grateful to have my diseased colon gone but certainly hate the roller coaster of these blockages. I did go have a scope with a new doctor since my surgeon at Cleveland Clinic is gone. I had that done 3 to 4 months ago when these episodes started. He said i looked good but I didn't mention these episodes bc they were not frequent. I suspect that I may have narrowing on my right side but not sure how they can check for that. That is just my suspicion given where my pain is with these blockages that passed. 

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Provided you are not malnourished now, going on a bit of a bowel rest probably won't harm you, it also may not help. Make sure you sip water and keep hydrated.

Do you take probiotics?

Have you dealt with pouchitis before? To me it sounds a bit like pouchitis, or something else in your diet.

Having even a small short term blockage can start a breeding ground for pouchitis. When I have dealt with blockages my GI always puts me on antibiotics. I also find taking probiotics regularly helps me to keep pouchitis away.

The pouch can certainly be a hard thing to figure out and although I'm happy not to be dealing with UC anymore the pouch can still be a pain. Good luck

Most blockages are unrelated to the pouch - they usually occur some distance away in the small intestine. There are exceptions, and some pouch problems can cause blockages. In any case, if you suspect a blockage it’s best to avoid solid food and to try to stay hydrated. Short-lived and partial blockages are much more common than complete blockages, so I wouldn’t usually cut a trip short just because of bloating. It will usually resolve on its own. I also wouldn’t choose a bourbon tasting if I were feeling nauseated, but we each make our own choices.

It sounds like the fear of a severe blockage might be doing you more harm than these minor blockages themselves. If you can find a way to treat them as a nuisance rather than as signs of impending doom they might become merely uncomfortable, or at least less disruptive. I hope this event passes quickly!

PouchLogic posted:

Provided you are not malnourished now, going on a bit of a bowel rest probably won't harm you, it also may not help. Make sure you sip water and keep hydrated.

Do you take probiotics?

Have you dealt with pouchitis before? To me it sounds a bit like pouchitis, or something else in your diet.

Having even a small short term blockage can start a breeding ground for pouchitis. When I have dealt with blockages my GI always puts me on antibiotics. I also find taking probiotics regularly helps me to keep pouchitis away.

The pouch can certainly be a hard thing to figure out and although I'm happy not to be dealing with UC anymore the pouch can still be a pain. Good luck

I have not had pouchitis before. My fingers crossed that it passes. We head home Wednesday and driving. No fun at all. 

Scott F posted:

Most blockages are unrelated to the pouch - they usually occur some distance away in the small intestine. There are exceptions, and some pouch problems can cause blockages. In any case, if you suspect a blockage it’s best to avoid solid food and to try to stay hydrated. Short-lived and partial blockages are much more common than complete blockages, so I wouldn’t usually cut a trip short just because of bloating. It will usually resolve on its own. I also wouldn’t choose a bourbon tasting if I were feeling nauseated, but we each make our own choices.

It sounds like the fear of a severe blockage might be doing you more harm than these minor blockages themselves. If you can find a way to treat them as a nuisance rather than as signs of impending doom they might become merely uncomfortable, or at least less disruptive. I hope this event passes quickly!

I certainly agree. I just need to not overreact as I normally do when this happens.  You are absolutely correct.....I turn into doom

Chili regarding the above quote Pouchitis doesn’t usually “just pass” without being treated. If it’s Pouchitis you have to treat it to get it to pass. It’s not like an upset stomach.

Take some Pepto Bismol and if that doesn’t clear it up call your GI because you will probably need a course of antibiotics. PB may prove completely effective in clearing up the symptoms you have described.

Last edited by CTBarrister
PouchLogic posted:

Provided you are not malnourished now, going on a bit of a bowel rest probably won't harm you, it also may not help. Make sure you sip water and keep hydrated.

Do you take probiotics?

Have you dealt with pouchitis before? To me it sounds a bit like pouchitis, or something else in your diet.

Having even a small short term blockage can start a breeding ground for pouchitis. When I have dealt with blockages my GI always puts me on antibiotics. I also find taking probiotics regularly helps me to keep pouchitis away.

The pouch can certainly be a hard thing to figure out and although I'm happy not to be dealing with UC anymore the pouch can still be a pain. Good luck

Hi

I'm curious, how does medical cannabis help?

It sounds like a blockage to me.  Super Enzymes and a homeopathic med called nux vomica works for me if catch it on time.  The nux vomica is one tablet under your tongue until it melts and then don't drink or eat anything for 15 minutes after you take it.  And try not to take any peppermint or brush your teeth before or after for at least half an hour.

Chili,

If you had prior blockage incidents that passed you should know what that sensation is like. I had full and partial blockages and all of them were characterized by a knotted feeling in my abdomen, constipation and yes some bloating. I passed partial blockages one of two ways, either by walking around a lot, or by vomiting. One of them sent me to the hospital and just before they put in the NG tube I started vomiting which, with its violent wretches, managed to “release the hounds.” I had previously had NG tube for a blockage due to an Ileus which didn’t pass until 24 hours after intubation with NG tube. Maybe that memory is why I vomited out some subsequent partials.

Pouchitis is more a sensation of cramps, then increased urgency, more watery stools and more frequent stools, and sometimes a sensation of incomplete evacuation. It gets progressively worse.

If you are bloated and aren’t having regular bowel movements I would lean towards blockage. If you have increased urge to go I would say Pouchitis.

Last edited by CTBarrister
maddie18 posted:

It sounds like a blockage to me.  Super Enzymes and a homeopathic med called nux vomica works for me if catch it on time.  The nux vomica is one tablet under your tongue until it melts and then don't drink or eat anything for 15 minutes after you take it.  And try not to take any peppermint or brush your teeth before or after for at least half an hour.

I just read about nux comics and it sounds scary 

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