How to prevent a bowel obstruction

Does anyone have any advice on this lovely topic?  My GI system is a train wreck and this is my biggest fear as it seems like things go downhill fast when nourishment can't pass through.  I am just so uncomfortable all the time, hate to obsess about being able to fart, belch and defecate but (no pun intended) I have tried so many products to no avail.  Have not blocked up totally yet thankfully.  Help!

[jojo1956]

I just finished reading an article (probably at the same time you posted this!) on just this topic on curetoday.com  I hope this helps.

http://www.curetoday.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/article.showNutritionArticle/id/301/article_id/1218

I

[melissam8484]

I'm guessing you've tried it (it's pretty common), but I've had good results with Smooth Move Tea  

http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Medicinals-Smooth-Move-bags/dp/B00014CZQC

[henning]

I have been on this forum back in April, I had questions about Ovarian Cancer. I am waiting for my appointment with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minn. in the colon/rectal department. I had a blockage in August and was hospitalized for almost a month. They put a gastric tube down me and I had a feeding tube. It was no fun! About two days before I was having pain in my abdomin (abdomen) kinda bad (doubled up in kitchen) but went about doing things that was Sat. Sunday I slept all day and only took sips of water, I was vomiting. Monday I had a explosive bowel movement and vomiting really bad (even with just ice chips)  I also had that pain. Went into ER and thats when they did a CT Scan and found the blockage. What a mess! When I came home they had me on liquids only and that drink Ensure (vitiamins). I was passing gas but it hurt the vibration of it felt like I could feel it all the way up. If I have trouble going warm water (drinking) usually helps and you could add alittle of sugar. It has helped. This might sound gross but sometimes squatting on a newspaper helped me move my bowels. (That made me cry, just having to do it that way). Hope this helps and good luck.

[jane65]

Hi Sharon,
Isn't it awful how we're so happy when we"fart, belch and defecate"? Before cancer, so many other things would be a pleasant occurrence for us.
Anyway, I understand that blockage is caused by part of the intestine not moving the stool along, but I'm going to check out the website jojo mentioned, never too much info.

I deal with constipation with prune juice in the AM, two Colace tablets during the day, and Miralax daily, too. I've increased my fiber with cereal, fruit and vegs. and whole grain breads.
I am so frightened of a blockage and the need for surgery.

It works for me,  feel good.
Jane

[bohan54]

Melissa - thanks never heard of Smooth Move altho I do use Senna tablets,  Will look for it.
Henna - I feel and fear for you.  I can actually see myself on the newspapers, anything for relief.
Jane - Can't get prune juice down, also vomited Miralax.  Everybody has their own recipe I think.  
When I was on Carbo/Taxol it was Senna, Colace and occasional suppositories.  Now it's Fleet emenas, Milk of Magnesia (ugh,) and Lactulose on top of the other stuff,  
I'm thankful when I can produce a few pebbles... OY.

[ireneo]

Regular prune juice is pretty odd tasting and syrupy. Have you seen the newer plum juice called Plum Smart? It's very similar in taste and texture to Cranberry juice. My Mom's been drinking it for a few years now and it's helped her bowels tremendously. Used to have terrible bleeding with colitis. The last colonoscopy showed a beautiful colon all the way up. She swears it's the Plum Smart that's helped move things along.

My worry for you is that it may be more than simple constipation. Do you know what the symptoms would be if there was a twist in the bowel? I'm sure there would be pain but you deal with that every day. Please be careful and take care of yourself.

[JC145]

I needed Miralax AM (like very first thing) and PM ( like very last thing) this past week post first Doxil tx ... along with a liquid diet for 24 hrs. (which included prune juice and a bunch of chamomille tea).  It worked ... but realize you are not good with these items.  

Have you considered the stuff you can buy at the drug store for colonosocopy prep .. also not pleasant .. but effective.

Sorry pal .. don't have anything else for ya ... lots of liquids tho.

((hugs)) Judy

[westajul]

Sharon,
I think it is great you brought up this subject. So far otc products(miralax and colace...together) have worked for me...once I stop taking the naseau meds. I do try and eat a lot of fiber...beans...apples...nuts...dried apricots...apples and walk. I bet prune juice or ground flax seed in a smoothie would help. I am interested in what ends up working for you. Julie

[junamgen]

Have been there, so afraid to be in that situation everyday.  I usually do the following to  prevent it happening.

1 Massage you abdomen slowly  clockwise 60 times before you get up ( have your mind set in just for that), Usually I can feel where my waste is (excuse my  language)

2 trying to have a time just for that everyday, for me usually after morning Tea time or breakfast. You have to keep doing it for a a while then the body will getting use to it.
Everything else can wait, let the phone ring,  use force and your mind as well to have it out.

3 balance food intake, simple way to remember is one bite of protein, two bite of carbohydrate (bread,rice..), three bites of fruit and 4 bites of veg.  Lots of water.

It is the one of the most important tusk for me each day, so I will spend my full attention on the process for about 2 hrs, especially during  chemo.  For me I rather spend more time to have it done each morning, than wait for several day to get even more difficult.

It is my pleasure if what i written even just help you a little.

jun

[JC145]

FIBER:  Just one comment on fiber.  As I have mentioned over the past few years, I worked with an oncology office for 10 years (on the business side), but did pick up a few good pointers along the way.

Too much fiber can actually cause constipation.  The nurses would advise patients to ease off the fiber when they had bowel problems.   Fiber can be binding as well.

Lots of liquids and a light diet until you get it open really does work best.  I just did 24 hr. liquid diet along with Miralax and prune juice.  Have been great the last couple of days.  I've switched off the dark breads for a while, really, really chew my food well,  and eat only cooked veggies as a my bowel obstruction was actually caused by corn-on-the-cob resulting in days in the hospital.   Don't want another because of raw carrots, etc.  

Just suggesting watching the amount of fiber .. beans will give you gas as well as oatmeal so that could be uncomfortable, too.

Drink lots of liquid with the food .. hopefully that may help.

[Burnzie]

Hi Sharon,
What has worked for me up until now, and I did have an impending bowel obstruction until they did a colostomy to avoid it, was a good old- fashioned diet of a big bowl of fruit in the morning, raw vegetables, lots of water and a vitamin which is part of my nutrichem regime called, nutiodophilus.  It is specifically for digestive health.  Hope a combination of what everyone has suggested helps.  Have a good day.
Karen

[lvfrogs]

Sharon,
I have bowel issues right now, well for 2 years, in and out of tests, test, more tests. The only thing that gets me going is 2 Senokot tablets at night (which I think you said you have done) and Miralax. I try to eat prunes, can't stand the juice, but will go and buy the Plum Smart that Irene mentioned. I also eat dried apricots and lots of water, fruit....Gastro doctor wants to put me on Amitizia, a med to move things along, but heard it was nasty side effects.  I have also tried the Dieters Tea, and it works, but it is hard on your body, so don't think that will do it.  Try anything that sounds like you can do, the juices maybe, lots of water?
I hope you can get this resolved because it is no fun!!
Hugs,
Colleen

[bohan54]

I just love you guys!  No subject is taboo.

[Tybear]

I've had the unpleasant task of dealing with two bowel obstructions - both times, it was after surgery with general anesthetic. I've learned that it just completely shuts my system down! It's scary and painful and one of the worst things I've had to deal with...

My only suggestion would be to agree with Judy - too much fibre is something I've been warned about as well. Fibre adds bulk to your stools so if you're already dealing with constipation, you should probably try to avoid bulky fibre.

I hope your able to find something that you can keep down. I'm so sensitive to laxatives...I take one dose of lactulose and I'm on the toilet all day it seems! Too harsh for me...otherwise, I just take senna cot and colace.

Becky

[Teresa222]

You mentioned drinking Dieters Tea for constipation, but that it was hard on your body. Can you explain what happened?

I've been going through the on/off again battle with constipation these past few weeks. It seems that once I get a program down pat and it works, it stops working again. I believe we need to have several "programs' ready in the event one stops working.

I've also had nausea "out of the blue" lately.  (I'm not taking chemo or any new drugs.) The jury is in on Zophran. It causes terrible headaches with me. It's almost not worth taking. It is very effective on the nausea, but BLAM, the headache hits and I regret taking it.
Teresa

[lvfrogs]

Teresa,
I am sorry you are going through all this. I dont' have nausea thankfully, but the constipation is bad enough. The dieters tea worked great for awhile but then I started waking up around 2-3am with terrible cramps, really bad ones. I don't know if Jerry (he makes it for me) was making it too strong. Sometimes I think he steeps it too long or if I just couldn't take it anymore. The cramps were really horrible, so I quit. AND, calling it dieters tea didn't work for me,no weight loss! not that I wanted it for that,but still...didn't work.
I am still using Miralax and Senokot S.  Gastro doc wants me to use this medicine, Amitiza. But I don't like what I am reading on the internet on it, so haven't started.
Let me know how you are doing!

[Beachwalker33]

Dieter's tea!!! I remember an incident when my Mom and her best friend were drinking cup after cup.I bet that would do the trick..They were sooo sick!!!Miralax,oil of oregano,apricots & prunes left in fridge over night.Enema if desperate! milk of magnesia.Keep up on the blockages ,so important,raisins.I'll think of more! Good luck & God bless! Jen