Anyone had ileus and how you overcame it?

That's basically the question...did you take any drugs (such as Reglan) or natural products or certain exercises?  THanks in advance!

[Helmar]

Hi Alan... Maybe fluid diet...or if necessary, the surgeon can do a 'by-pass'. Have you googled 'ileus' to see what comes up?   Best wishes....Helen...

[Helmar]

Hi Alan... Maybe a fluid diet...or if necessary, the surgeon can do a 'by-pass'. Have you googled 'ileus' to see what comes up?   Best wishes....Helen...

[alanpvegas]

oh yes too much information but nothing really helpful.  sometimes the internet gives you too much techie talk to be helpful :)

[OzBron]

[OzBron]

I didn't quite get to the point of complete shutdown, but was close and found Movicol worked when nothing else was. I read the leaflet and it talked about taking 8 sachets within a certain timeframe for people with compaction which can be an effect of ileus.
Once it gets to that stage, food/natural products doesn't help as it doesn't get through-I found I then backed up right to my stomach was very uncomfrotable  and bloated and if I ate/drank I would just throw everything up again.
Main thing I was told was when the instestines shut down/perstalsis stops, you need to start taking something to deal with it before severe obstruction is caused as that may require surgical intervention.

[rmarie]

A ileus can occur because of a blockage of the intestine, by a tumor or the intestine twisting or kinking.  These are full or partial.  Full blockages caused by tumor requre surgery, if it is twisting of the bowel sometimes they can be reversed, they put in an NG tube to remove the gas and fluid that is not moving.  Your mom is at risk for twisting because of the surgery, as well as the OC.Blockages are either full or partial partial may reverse with a nasogastric tube and time.  

The other cause is chemical this relates to electrolyte imbalances, potassium or sodium levels also drugs (primarily the opoid pain killers) can cause the peristalic waves - the movement that propels fecal material through the intestine.
Reglan is not usually used if it is related to a blockage because of a tumor, it would increase the movements and could cause a rupture of the colon.  if it is chemical, then it may require a change of drugs, or a decrease in dosage.

Hope this helps Alan

[alanpvegas]

thanks all.  nobody will do any surgery (or other medical treatment) no matter the condition (according to the primary care provider) because she 'has cancer' and should just go hospice.  so she is required to suffer.  

[freshair]

I'm so sorry to hear this.

[vegas2cr]

Please tell me that my hometown of Vegas has not really gone so bad that they would deny medical to your Mom.  They want to just ship her off to Nathan Adelson or such?? How dare these doctors act like this.. What ever happened to the Hipocratic Oath?  Cause no harm... I am so sorry that your Mom is suffering...The HMOs from medicare are as bad as they come... HPN and Sierra health are awful...They even refused to pay for my daughters ca125 until the doctor intervened and said her mother has ovarian cancer... What has happened to the United States of America...???
I am so glad that I am now in a  country where my doctors  care... off of my soap box for now...

[rmarie]

Alan, I don't know what to say, I do know someday I will more than likely be where your mother is today.  Much as I want to live and keep fighting, the nurse in me, know that I will need hospice, someday.  I have found Hospice to be live affirming and there to relieve the suffering.  I don't know if you have talked with them or not, but you could go and just talk with them.  They are there to help.  What does your primary care provider say about all this?
Your mom is lucky to have you in here corner, with her every step of the way.   I am thinking about you and your mother.

[alanpvegas]

yeah mom is on hpn's medicare advantage plan....a bad mistake, would have been better to stay on regular medicare and get a medigap policy.  the pcp, upon asking why she should go to hospice, said "because her c25 levels are high"...I said "you mean ca-125?" and she had that "I'm a doctor" look and that was about the end of the conversation.  the oncologist was the direct opposite of the pcp (and other doctors) saying I'll let you know when it's time to give up.

I think it's all about money, cheaper to let someone die than live....that's been the theme this entire experience.

[Kimchi]

I found this doctor who invented the tool used in colonoscopies Hiromi Shinya (Professor of Surgery at Albert Einstein College of Medicine) He has a list of ways to keep the colon clean including coffee enemas...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=han3AfjevOc...

[debnevada]

i know two very good docs in vegas. send me an email on medhelp and i'll give you the referrals.
these two would do more for your mum.

[chookey]

Hi Alan you are so right when people get old they dont treat them as well as some one younger going threw the same thing with my father l had good care with my ov a year ago but dad being older does not get care he needs just fobbed of all the time but gets much better care with the pallitve care team than all the doctors he has seen he has prosate cancer.l know its not ovca  but l exerience the same thing as far as care goes for him here in oz as you do for your mother take care Alan

[alanpvegas]

If anyone is interested, I found an interesting article on medscape about post-operative ileus and drug (pain med) induced ileus and treatments/medications to take:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/429661_5

Although I didn't find anything to substantiate it on the web, they did mention that using misoprostol can be used as a last resort and will guarantee a bowel movement.

[alanpvegas]

Sorry, here is the table of contents of the entire article:
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/1696

Very interesting stuff, especially for those about to undergo surgery (or for your caregivers to read)

[SimplyStar]

could your Mom stand a car trip to Phoenix?  I would call Mayo there and ask for an appointment and  a plan for a change in care.  They are so good to work with and have all the new methods to use in cancer.

[alanpvegas]

She wouldn't be allowed, she is in a medicare hmo so it's all referrals or you pay 100% so that would be expensive!  Plus I think she's just too weak for it right now but thank you very much :)  Did you know they are finally building a Cancer Treatment Centers of America building out there?  So much better than folks having to go to Seattle or Kansas City.  

[SimplyStar]

I have heard lots of good things about Comprehensive Cancer Center of Nevada   located in Las Vegas   I know they take medicare and HMO's   they have one of the leading specialists there  I forget his name. when we looking into going elsewhere this was one that was reccommended to us.  My son has a home in Williams AZ and he offered it to Leslee and her Husband if they wanted to check it out.

[Kimchi]

I googled and found some info on natural with detox...here are 2 that might be of interest to you..
http://www.leaonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327914nc330201
http://www.doctormurray.com/articles/Penzymes.htm

[Diane B]

Dear Alan,

I am so sorry to hear about your Mother.  I wish you and her all the best.  

But one thing to let you know about Cancer Center of America.  They built one here in Philadelphia and my husband and I just don't have enough money to go there.  If they don't take your insurance they want $250,000 up front to just see you.  They will not see you for just second opinion I was told.  Because then I would take somewhere else and use it.  I just couldn't believe they would turn anyone away.  So they may be good but you have to have a lot of money to get in there.  I do know one woman who spend her life saving going there and when her money was all gone they turned her away.  She had breast cancer.

Take care and my prayer are with you and your Mom.

Diane

[alanpvegas]

thanks everyone...she is very happy with her oncologist right now.  Was just trying to find out how to resolve the ileus.  I guess we'll attempt to get a referral again to the GI doctors unless it gets turned down again.

[fernanda99]

Hi Alan,

right now mi mom is going through a similar situation. She had ovarian cancer  and recently had a colostomy , but the colon is still paralyzed.
Did you find out about something to help your mom?
Mine is in Mexico, and the doctors don't want to operate again because she is really weak right now but don't offer any other solution.

Thanks in advance,
Fernanda

[alanpvegas]

No, not really beyond this thread.  However here is a link to some interesting stuff:  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/429661_5