Resolving bowel obstruction. Will it ever feel normal to eat again?

[gailhay]

I've been hospitalised for 9 weeks whilst on caelyx and cisplatin to help resolve a small bowel obstruction. Doing well now but will it ever resolve completely- any positive stories to help me over the next few days and weeks- think it has all got to me today 😩

[Hidden]

Hi gailhay, so sorry you have been in hospital for a long time. It would appear that things are moving again and you are scared. Do ask to speak with a dietician to see what food you can have. Perhaps they may suggest a low fibre diet. Your team should be able to allay your fears

[gailhay in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for taking the time out to reply. Yes I am scared at the moment. Future isn't looking quite so bright at present. I need to try and get my mojo back!!! This disease has us so up and down! Xxx

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Gailhay, Sorry to hear you have been in hospital so long but glad to hear you are doing well now, I had trouble while I was on caelyx now I take a mild laxative every second or third night and try to take the time each morning,about the same time to sit and make sure I go. As Suzuki said talk to your Dietician at the hospital and see about fiber diet. This chemo really messes around with our system..sending you my best wishes from down under Lorraine 😊

[gailhay in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thankyou Lorraine. It just helps to find out what worked for others and know you aren't alone on this journey x

[Choski]

I was put on a low fibre and low residue diet plus very careful management through the use of laxatives. It's not easy as I sometimes get abdominal cramps when things are hard and dreadful diarrhoea when things go the other way. I was wretching, burping and vomiting when liquids hit my stomach BUT it's pretty much under my control now thank goodness. Up to 5 sodium docusate a day to keep the stool soft. Change of anti nausea meds as some can help move bowel contents along while others can cause crampy pains. Stopped metraclapromide as it gave me abdominal pains. Ask your team for advice.

Diet is also a key point .

I wasn't in hospital but I suffered for ages with this and it's still a fine balance.

Wishing you well

Clare xx

[gailhay in reply to Choski]

Clare. That's really helpful knowing that it is a balance as each time I have pain or nausea I worry it's a set back. I have so diuretic docusste so might try that I still get the cramps when liquid hits my stomach so perhaps just swapping some meds around might make the difference. Thankyou. Wishing you well. Gail

[LesleyGreengran]

Sorry to hear you've been in hospital so long. Do they let you out for breaks? I'm trying to sort bowels out at the moment but they haven't been blocked and I've only had one overnight on the ward. Frequent bowel movements were keeping me indoors near the loo. Now I am trying to manage with docusate twice a day, half a sachet of macrogol every other day and a low fibre/residue diet. I've been trying to see a dietitian but have been waiting 3 months.

[thesilent1]

Hi gailhay, sorry your having problems with a bowel obstruction. I had one when ion first line treatment of carbo/taxol and ended up hospitalized although only for a week. They managed to flush it through with IV fluids and nil by mouth for 4 days.

I was terrified afterwards that it would happen again. I made sure I took a laxative at night and then on chemo, one at night and one each morning. I was soon going normally again although I did add prunes to my weetabix which I felt helped. I did manage to stop them once I'd completed treatment but always worry if I can't go for more than a couple of days and I get quite cramoy and uncomfortable so rather than lket it go for too long i take one then. You will get back to normal, it just takes some time.

Hope you get home soon. Ann xx

[Beckyjh]

Hi. After having surgery for a bowel obstruction I was paranoid when after my final chemo a week and a half ago nothing happened for about 8 days. I upped the movicol to 3 sachets a day, I eat 3 or 4 dried prunes and dried apricots a day which definitely helps. All good - things definitely moving now so I take 1 sachet of movicol every other day to make sure. Still have the prunes and apricots every day and I take a probiotic supplement every evening which I think is the main game changer in keeping things moving.

All the best

Becky x

[gailhay in reply to Beckyjh]

Thankyou for your reply. Good advice about the movicol to keep things moving. I will prob up them a bit more. Best wishes to you. Gail

[antheamary]

Hi there, currants , raisins juiced fruit & vegs all keep me going. Although it goes from constipated to the other way quite quickly. Also anti sickness meds. Some work better than others. Drinking lots of water helps in this hot weather.