Hoping you can help answer a few questions. I am a 35 year-old female with a history of constipation predominant IBS, redundant sigmoid colon, gastritis, asthma, high BP (monitored), endometriosis and polycystic ovaries. The IBS and redundant colon has never been much of a problem (easily resolved with diet changes and Equalactin) until I had laproscopic surgery for fertility in October. The surgery involved laproscopic removal of a fibroid tumor, and was a difficult 3-hour surgery. About 6 weeks after surgery, I began having severe problems with chronic constipation. Normal medications and Equalactin did not resolve. Put on 6-week trial of Zelnorm (seemed to make worse). After stopping medication, I had virtually no bowel function (never happened before). GI doctor ordered the following tests: blood work, chest and abdominal x-rays, small bowel series (taken just prior to onset of constipation and left sided pain), colonoscopy (taken just after onset of constipation, but before left sided pain), CT scan and stool culture. All tests were normal. One week after colonoscopy, constipation worsened and I developed left sided crampy pain (just above hip area, across from belly). Pain worsened tremendously after eating (about 15 minutes after finishing eating) and was accompanied by severe bowel distension on left side. This problem started around the first week of February and has gotten slowly worse each week. Only thing that helps motility and cramping is combination of daily Miralax and Librax (and Phazyme with meals). With Miralax, I am having 1-2 daily movements (not constipated), but feeling painful pulling feeling in area of distension after BM. More pain in area of distension after BMs. My GI doctor and GYN doctor have suggested two possibilities:
1. Development of abdominal adhesions from my October surgery
2. Possibility of partial small bowel obstruction
My GYN doctor has suggested going back for a second-look laporoscopy in June to assess and possibly remove adhesions. This surgery would be done in coordination with a colon surgeon. Also has recommended repeating GI series to eliminate poss. of partial small bowel obstruction (since left sided pain, distension, and constipation did not begin until after small bowel series).
Questions:
1. What are the chances that I could be struggling with a progressive, partial obstruction that has been going on 3+ months? My GI doctor is reluctant to do another test as one was just done in January.
2. What signs should I look for that would suggest a partial obstruction? (Note: Bloating, cramping and distension is extremely painful after eating - distension is somewhat reduced in the morning, but worse and BMs.)Pain seems to get slightly worse each week. Am planning vacation to Bermuda in 4 weeks and would like some resolution (in case there could be a problem). GI follow up scheduled for 5/23, surgical consult on 5/27.
Any advice? Very scared about SBO.