Evaluation for Bowel Obstruction.

[OVCIndia]

Last month she complained of a lot of abdomen cramping and gas followed by an episode of vomiting.  The cramping resolved after that.  On speaking with her oncologist he said that this could be a one off thing and did not ask for any tests to be done.  Last week she had a similar experience of cramping and things got better after she vomited.  This time too the oncologist dismissed it as nothing serious and did not order any tests.  Today she had another such episode and this time was told to take clear liquids for a day and some anti nausea medication but did not ask for any scans or blood test.

My brother is a MD himself and he is not comfortable with this wait and watch approach by her oncologist.  He has scheduled my mom for an abdomen CT scan tomorrow morning to evaluate her for any blockage.

Has anyone experienced something similar after completion of treatment?

Thanks
OVCIndia

[JC145]

I totally agree with Jan.  Keep a close watch.  Remember, if anyone eats a lot of fiber, it can constipate you .. you must drink lots and lots of water/liquid.    High fiber diets can constipate.  This advice was given by the chemotherapy RN's at the oncologist's office I just retired from .. so it comes from a good source.  Good luck with Mom.

[Jan214]

I am so sorry that I don't have time to give this the attention that I would like to, but please read the article in the link below.  It is kind of technical so just skip parts you don't understand (that was a lot for me) but it will all come together when you are done.  PLEASE keep an eye  on this.  All of us on here have a dear friend who is now undergoing awful surgery due to blockage and ALL of her scans for several years have come back clear.  It is the dirty little secret of ovarian cancer.  Insurance companies don't want to pay for bowel blockage surgery because they figure we are just going to die anyway.  Why do you think they tell us to stay on top of the constipation and have us on stool softeners and miralax.  Also, since it often goes undetected by scans ins cos won't even pay for a lap to look around.  I am not saying that this is your mom's problem, but if she ever starts gaining weight and is not eating enough to justify that weight gain, get your brother involved again.  
It sounds like your mom is doing well but as I said please keep an eye on it.
Good luck,
Jan


http://www.supportiveoncology.net/journal/articles/0204323.pdf

[OVCIndia]

My mom’s results from her scan are back. The scan was all clear other than a little thickening of her bowel.  Also her Ca 125 results came in at 9.1 down from 12.1 (At completion of chemo 2 months back).   She met with her Gyn-Onc surgeon today to go over the results and he said that her vomiting and cramping is due to changes in her body due to extensive surgery.  

He said that since her CA is a good indicator for her he is sure that this abdomen pain and vomiting is not due to cancer.  He also called in another Gyn-Onc surgeon who assisted him during surgery to go over the results.  Both of them reviewed everything and also physically examined her to rule out any recurrence.

He asked my mom to change her diet by reducing the amount of fiber she takes in and add a lot of liquid into her diet and have small portions thought the day rather than three large meals.

Both the surgeons spent more than an hour with my mom examining her and going over her test results.  This was very assuring and comforting for her and our family.  Going forward they have asked us to just monitor her CA 125 every 3 months and come in for a physical checkup then.

So for now she is going to change her diet and she how this helps.

Best wishes,
OVCIndia

[jlock]

I also have ascites and it will cause all kinds of gas and pains to that area.  Even just a little bit.  Since I have this condition I watch myself very carefully for the signs of a obstruction..the one I keep in mind is unrelenting pain that continues to worsen  till you go to the hospital. It can be so frustrating...never knowing if I should go to the hospital or what..lol..take care of you...(((hugz)))~~~Joanne

[Kimchi]

I have had a lot of gas but no cramping or vomiting...My lastest ct scan shows that I have a little fluid (ascites) in my abdomen area that could be causing my gas problem.

[nyc lady]

I am glad that your brother was able to schedule the scan for your mother.  Maybe the oncologist is right, but, if it were me or my loved one, I would want tests run to make sure that it was nothing.

Please let us know the outcome of the scan.

Sending lots of positive thoughts.

Pam