can anyone help me?

I'm 52, female, long history of Crohn's, with an 18" resection in March 2007..problem is, 3 bowel obstructions in 4 months!!!(adhesions), which is more frequent, and less treatable than the obstructions I had before (prior to surgery I was treated with steroids and zofran and toradol with good results, now the steroids are not effective at all).  I am trying to not eat, so my intestine stays empty, but 4 days into this, I am irritable, restless, and I am told these obstructions are neither predictable or preventable.  Can this be true???? I will try to do ANYTHING to prevent another re occurrence..does anyone out there have a suggestion as to how I can prevent this from happening again?  

[vc7881]

Have you tried TPN to give your colon a rest?

[sickagain]

no..what's TPN?

[vc7881]

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN), is the practice of feeding a person intravenously, bypassing the usual process of eating and digestion. The person receives nutritional formulas containing salts, glucose, amino acids, lipids and added vitamins.

It's used in extreme cases of strictures or blockages to give your bowels a rest and a chance for them to heal.  Ask your GI about it.

[lizziecee]

There may be another solution other than TPN. When I was dx with breast cancer in Jan 2003, I had to have FEC chemo and the Oncologist told me I must stop taking methotrexate (which is a different chemo drug) for my Crohn's. Inevitably, the Crohn's flared and I was severely incontinent. The Oncologist prescribed Frutijuice (9 different flavours, all yucky), 3 cartons a day, each carton had 300 cals. This came from the hospital pharmacy and I lived on this for the 4 months of FEC chemo. I lost about 28 lbs, but it kept me alive. I live in England, so don't know if this nutritional drink is available elsewhere, but you could ask. I have since put the weight back on and am doing fine.
With such a long history of Crohn's (I have had it for 37 yrs), I would respectfully suggest you talk to your gastro about an immuno-suppressant drug to keep the disease in remission, or at least under control. I was on steroids (prednisolone) for 30 yrs and they have seriously affected my bone density and gastro will not prescribe them anymore. I self inject 12.5 mg of methotrexate once a week, and am okay except for early morning diarrhea, which I can cope with.  I have never had a flare or rectal haemorrhaging since being on methotrexate, except for the time of the cancer chemo.
Hope you can find a solution to your problem.
Take care,
Liz.

[sickagain]

I loved that you guys cared enough to respond to my plea! Thank you!   I think I would like to try an all liquid diet to prevent obstructions first...seems a little more compatible with going to work every day..I plan to talk to my GI...crazy thing is, I am in remission with the Crohn's..these frequent obstructions are all related to adhesions from a resection I had last March...thanks for the posts! I welcome ALL comments and suggestions!  MJ

[lizziecee]

I am not quite sure if my problems are the same as yours - just great to correspond, even only on the internet with somone with Crohn's My breast cancer problems are duck soup compared to Crohn's.

I don't know zilch about obstructions - just recently learned through an endoscopy I have a stricture in my small intestine. I am having an MRI on Nov 16th to see how extensive it is, but my gastro said I have to be prepared to surgery. Gastro said he doesn't know if it is from adhesions or current inflammations. My last calprotectin assay stool test was 80, when the norm is 20. I have had 3 severe rectal haemorrhages from burst ulcers and crypt abscesses which required hospital intervention, so I guess he is being cautious. I am, however, feeling fine, but he is a tad concerned about a burst small intestine, which he said will be fatal.  Give me the good news eh?  I am quite philosophical about my Crohn's, lived with it for some 37 yrs and feel glad that I have not had to have any resections before now. When I was first dx my physician (no gastros then) told me I should stay clear of surgeons.....and he was right. I feel I am so lucky I have lived so long.

A liquid diet may help ameliorate your current problems in the short term, but the adesions do need addressing.

Take carte, and hope you soon get some solution to your problems.
Liz.