Need info on TWISTING BOWEL (intussusception/volvulus)

Hi, my full symptom history is posted further down the page but i'm just desperate to hear from anyone who has, or knows, anything about mechanical/twisting bowel problems.  Any info would be great!  Thanks! S x

[debb]

Hi Sarah, I read your earlier post and can't believe they did a colonoscopy on you without sedation - OUCH! Also, they can't rule out IBD unless they were able to reach further up in the colon for biopsies. And, if you have twisting of the colon, the colonoscope should be able to untwist it. For the small intestine, barium x-rays should show where the problem is. Try searching the web for info, docs don't necessarily know everything, I've discovered. With small intestine obstruction you'll have cramps in your mid-abdomen and vomiting after meals, not sure about diarrhea. Wouldn't think you'd have an infection if you've had recurrent episodes over the years. Have you had the bloody diarrhea before? How do the pain episodes relate to your eating patterns (how much, what you eat and when)?
My colon became twisted on the upper right side, didn't know it at the time, though. Over the course of 5 months, I was having frequent pain in my right kidney area and lower right side, and it became difficult to have BMs. Also was nauseated most of the time and couldn't eat much at a time, eventually started vomiting after eating.  My tummy was quiet most of the time except for 4-6 hours after meals when it became very noisy/sore on the right side and I could hear/feel stool trying to push through the obstruction.  A colonoscopy untwisted it but within a year it was more twisted than before and became ulcerated (bloody stools). I'm on Miralax to keep stools soft and moving right along now. Hope you're able to see a good GI doc soon!

[SARAH82]

Hiya, thanks for your comment.  I'm not in too great a mood at the moment, just found out that my next appointment for a further colonoscopy is not until the 15th august!  I was told Id only have to wait a couple of weeks but the waiting list is long apparently!  Looks like I just have to wait to pass out in pain again before Ill find out whats happening in me!! The pain episodes dont seem to have any connection to when I eat.  Once it occured half an hour after a chinese takeaway and on another occassion where Id eaten nothing all day!  I have had blood in my stool occasionally before but not as much as this recent episode which scared me into getting to a hospital!!  I also visited my old GP the other day for a second opinion, he seemed to think my symptoms sounded more like endometriosis although the pains dont seem to relate to my period any more.  He was confused that the doctors had suggested volvulus or intussusception as he said these are very rare and only usually happen in babies.  But he hasnt referred me for any other consultations or tests.  I just feel like its going to go on forever with no one knowing the answer!  I would love to get the colonoscopy out of the road sooner but the only way I can get this is if I go private which on a student budget is not an option!

[debb]

Ridiculous how long it takes to get a colonoscopy scheduled, isn't it? It took me 2 months to even get in to see the GI doc (private practice) - guess scoping butts isn't a very high demand career category. If you end up back in to hospital, they'll refer you to a GI doc sooner or a GI doc should even see you in the hospital for the rectal bleeding. Or, keep calling the doc's office and see if you can get on the waiting list if someone cancels their appt (tell the receptionist about the bleeding and severe pain), nag them every 5 days or so, it worked for me.
Intussusception does only tend to happen in babies and volvulus in older adults when the colon sags, but both CAN happen in anyone. My GI doc said he'd only seen 1 case of intestinal endometriosis during 15 years, pretty rare. I have endometriosis and the tissue responds to hormones,does your pain gradually build up or does it hit out of the blue? Where exactly is the pain?
If you had a food allergy or lactose intolerance, you'd get sick after eating the food - that doesn't seem to be your case. Doesn't sound like Irritable Bowel Syndrome with the bleeding (unless you have bleeding hemmoroids (hemorrhoids)). You really do need to see a GI doctor for your problem. This website takes forever to access, if you want to e-mail me, I'm at ***@****. Wish you luck!

[Fweddo]

A related discussion, possible cause of reoccuring intussusception was started.

[pboyer43]

A related discussion, Twisted small intestine/volvulous surgery was started.