Obstruction

Landy

New member
The last two nights, right before bedtime I have had severe pain in my very lower abdomen. It feels like cramps sometimes, shooting pains sometimes and almost like a twisting feeling under my skin at other times. On a scale of 1-10, I would guess the pain is an 8 or 9. It lasts anywhere from 2-3 hours then goes away.
Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? I have a call into the doctor this a.m. but thought I'd bounce this off of you guys to see if this sounds like anything you've ever experienced.
I've not had obstruction before, so am not sure if this is what I'm dealing w/ or not??
Thanks
 

JazzysMom

New member
If not an actual obstruction...a case of constipation which can lead to it. My pain is in the same area when I get backed up. I never actually had an obstruction, but my understanding is that you can still have what seems to be normal BM's yet there is a spot in the intestines that the poop is NOT moving from. The BM's you are having move around that spot & that spot is where the obstruction ends up developing. Better safe then sorry no doubt!!
 

Landy

New member
Melissa
Thank you for your reply and explanation. I hope to hear from the doctor soon to see what comes next. I hope nothing invasive, if you know what I mean<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
 

anonymous

New member
sounds like my problem. we all thought it was my ovaries, then my kidneys, then i called my cf doc and it was just tummy so they gave me miralax... no more pain
 

Diane

New member
Fleet is OTC . I've never used it but i've seen it in the store. Geeeeezzzz Lynda, im sorry you are having so much stomach pain. I used to get ba lot of stomach aches when i was younger and it turned out to acid refulx , but that doesnt sound like your problem. Hope it gets worked out fast !!
 

CFHockeyMom

New member
LOL! Amy, that is too funny. See, all those frat parties really paid off.

Uh, I'm assuming that the smell reminds you of urine and that you don't really have any experience with the taste <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 

JazzysMom

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>CFHockeyMom</b></i>

LOL! Amy, that is too funny. See, all those frat parties really paid off.



Uh, I'm assuming that the smell reminds you of urine and that you don't really have any experience with the taste <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"></end quote></div>

I was wondering how she knew what the taste of urine was like. I hope things ease quickly Lynda!
 

anonymous

New member
I had a complete obstruction when I was 8 (it was how I was diagnosed). I had severe severe pain (below the belly button), so bad I couldn't stand up at times and I passed out a few times as well. And I threw up everything I ate or drank, even water. I happened to be in the middle of the country with my grandparents when it was happening so the doctors kept sending me home with a "stomach flu" diagnosis. The next day we drove 2 hours to the nearest hospital and they did an ultrasound and I ended up having to undergo emergency surgery to remove the obstruction. A few days later, because the obstruction wasn't removed immediately, my appendix burst because of an infection caused by the obstruction. It really sucked and it was a lot of pain for a child to go through. Too much pain. Apparently I almost died due to infection and dehydration. I wouldn't wish that ordeal on anyone so I would get it checked out.

Adrienne - 24 with CF in Ontario, Canada
 

Landy

New member
Thank you everyone for your comments/info/well wishes.
Of all things, the computers are down today at the Clinic I go to, so getting bloodwork/xrays would take forever today.
In the meantime, I'm drinking a lot of fluids and taking good ole Miralax. Tomorrow I will go in for the tests if the pain is still there. It's weird how it's just happens in the evening. Doctor said the fact that it comes & goes is a reassuring sign.??
Any tips on taking Miralax? I've been mixing it w/ fruit juice & it's not too terribly bad.
 

Mockingbird

New member
Miralax takes a week before it starts working. Try drinking some prune juice a few hours before you start getting the pains. Prune juice will not eliminate the obstruction, but I find it helps with the pain until the miralax will start working.

<b>Edit:</b> I just realize I made it sound like you have to be psychic. =-) Take the prune juice a few hours before you usually start getting pains. That's better. =-)
 

Landy

New member
I went in Friday for bloodwork & x-rays. Well...after waiting forever for the x-rays I finally asked if they realized I was waiting & they informed me that no orders for any x-rays had been submitted. I left because I had to get my daughter from school & the pain had subsided for the last couple of days, so I assumed this was good news.
Since I'm new to this obstruction (assuming that's what it was) thing I wanted to ask those of you that have dealt with this before-- since the pain is gone, would that most likely indicate that the obstruction is gone too?
I don't know whether to push for the x-rays tomorrow or just let it go.
 

Landy

New member
Thanks Amy. Sometimes when I push for these tests, etc. I wonder if my doctor thinks I'm a hypochrondriac or something<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
I probably shouldn't give a hoot if he thinks that or not.
 

chantelfox

New member
I take Miralax every day and have for the past 6 years. Once in a
while I got partial obstructions that had fixed themselves with a
lot of IV fluids and laxative, instead of surgery. I started
getting them at age 13. I have a narrowing in my intestines that
was caused by having intestine removed at birth. I usually am
sucessful at preventing them from turning so bad I have to go to
the hospital by  downing a lot of water and a bottle
of Magnesium Citrate (available OTC). But once every 3 years
or so, I get one that causes vomiting and the worst pain ever (a
combo of killer cramps and heartburn). If you vomit, that means you
won't be getting anything down past the obstructed part and you
need IV's to prevent dehydration, because your stomach is so backed
up liquid has a hard time getting through.  Hope you get
better!
 
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