Seeking help and advice - Bowel Disorders Message Board

macsjuls · 03-16-2005, 07:45 AM

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone here can help me. My mother has recently been diagnosed with obstructed bowel.(she also has radiation colitis and ileus) She has been told that she is not a candidate for surgery because of her previous radiation. She said they told her to manage as best she could. i've researched obstructed bowel (don't know what "type" she has), but it certainly isn't looking very promising if they can't operate. Don't even know if she's aware of how critical this is.

I was just wondering if anyone knows of aything that can be done non-surgically or of any alternative meds that can help? The obstructed bowel issue is my main concern at this time....but am searching for help on her other problems as well.

If anyone has anything they can share...I would be so greatful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,
mj

CDauthier · 03-16-2005, 08:38 PM

MJ,

Good grief! I can certainly understand your concern. I trust your mother has seen a colon-rectal surgeon. If so, maybe another opinion is in order. If not, then definitely an opinion from a colon-rectal surgeon is in order. Has a colostomy been mentioned as a possible solution? What is the cause of the obstruction?

spongebobgamma · 03-16-2005, 11:27 PM

MJ

Im no expert on this but from what I've heard you have to eat a low roughage diet. Foods that will pass though easy and to chew the food really good before swallowing,so it has time to start digesting first.

Does you mother have a partial obstruction? Maybe scar tissue from the radiation?

macsjuls · 03-17-2005, 08:43 AM

I have really got to call her and find out what type of obstruction she has....or if she even knows. She doesn't sound too informed on this recent diagnosis. Thanks for the tip on diet and chewing...I will pass that on to her....certainly can't hurt can it?

From the research I've done....this is not an uncommon side effect of the type of radiation treatment she had. The exact cause could come from a number of things. Irregardless....the outcome of leaving it untreated is the same....certain death. This is really hard to swallow....and I have a hard time believing (being in complete denial is possible) that nothing else can be done or at least attempted. But I do thank you for your suggestion...I will pass it on.

mj

CDauthier · 03-17-2005, 09:03 AM

Macsjuls,

I'm with you..also have a hard time believing that nothing else can be done for your mother!

If you will look at page 2 of Mrs. Fudd's post "very discouraged" you will see a post I made in regard to foods for diverticulitis flare ups. Husband's bowel was almost completely blocked from repeated diverticulitis flare ups and the low residue diet with citracel worked very well for bowel movements until he had his surgery. He's had a colostomy for a year and a half (due to be reconnected shortly)....that's why I originally asked if a colostomy had been considered. It's not a big deal and was sooooo much better than the alternative at the time...which was death, in his case!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your mom. Cathy