Hello , At my primary care doctor's appointment today my doc told me that on my last visit to the ER ( Feb. 6th ) my ct scan showed a partial obstruction. He seemed really worried and scheduled at ct scan for first thing tomorrow morning. Now I'm freaking out a little. How danderous is it really ? My Crohn's is in my small intestine if that makes a difference.
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Partial obstruction - Is it dangerous ?
- Thread starter Zeppy321
- Start date
Did they not tell you the result of the scan when you were at the ER? What did you go there for, and what kind of treatment did they give you? It just sounds odd that if something were wrong they would not have advised you about it.
Obstructions and partial obstructions can be serious. I think it is a good idea to follow your doctor's advice and get this checked out soon. Do you see a specialist who can go through the scan results with you? Are you suffering from any symptoms of obstruction at present?
Obstructions and partial obstructions can be serious. I think it is a good idea to follow your doctor's advice and get this checked out soon. Do you see a specialist who can go through the scan results with you? Are you suffering from any symptoms of obstruction at present?
I recently went to the ER as well for the same reason, but they told me they couldn't do much for me. They did a CT Scan as well and, like you, a lot of poop showed up stuck in my system.
The strange thing is, while waiting for the results of the CT Scan, I was able to poop normally. I don't know why, but maybe it was the barium they made me swallow for the CT Scan. I don't know.
Of course, this didn't solve my problem because as I'm writing this I'm flaring up and I tried going to the bathroom a couple of minutes ago and nothing. I pushed and as the poop started coming out, it hurt so much to make it pass that I just couldn't continue, so it went back inside.
I don't know what to do and I'm overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel like I have no other option, but to suffer.
The strange thing is, while waiting for the results of the CT Scan, I was able to poop normally. I don't know why, but maybe it was the barium they made me swallow for the CT Scan. I don't know.
Of course, this didn't solve my problem because as I'm writing this I'm flaring up and I tried going to the bathroom a couple of minutes ago and nothing. I pushed and as the poop started coming out, it hurt so much to make it pass that I just couldn't continue, so it went back inside.
I don't know what to do and I'm overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel like I have no other option, but to suffer.
So sorry to hear your suffering houndour. Have you ever tried Miralax ? It's what I use when I get constipated.It's very gentle and works well just give it a few days . Currently I have horrible D . I think its from the contrast drink stuff too . But if I'm going I don't think I'm blocked - right ? I do believe I'm starting to flare again though.:yrolleyes: Please take care . I hope you get some relief soon.
You'll still pass stool with a partial obstruction. Basically you're dealing with a narrowing/stricture which can be caused by inflammation, scar tissue or both (according to the ER you're dealing with inflammation). If the pain was that bad though I'm a little surprised that they just gave you Entocort because it doesn't work as quickly as other steroids. It's a great steroid for inflammation in the ileum but again not the best for emergency type situations.
How are you feeling? In the meantime you can eat smaller, softer and easier to digest meals until the inflammation goes down (the low residue diet is a great start). If you start getting nauseous again then you may want to switch to a liquid diet but be sure to inform your doctor that you're doing so. Let us know when you hear about the results of your CT scan. Hopefully the inflammation has gone down.
To answer your original question, obstructions (full ones) are dangerous and can be life threatening as the bowel can become perforated which can lead to infection. A partial one means that you're still passing stool but if left untreated could lead to a full obstruction. Definitely best to get this taken care of before it gets worse (hopefully it won't).
How are you feeling? In the meantime you can eat smaller, softer and easier to digest meals until the inflammation goes down (the low residue diet is a great start). If you start getting nauseous again then you may want to switch to a liquid diet but be sure to inform your doctor that you're doing so. Let us know when you hear about the results of your CT scan. Hopefully the inflammation has gone down.
To answer your original question, obstructions (full ones) are dangerous and can be life threatening as the bowel can become perforated which can lead to infection. A partial one means that you're still passing stool but if left untreated could lead to a full obstruction. Definitely best to get this taken care of before it gets worse (hopefully it won't).
- Location
- York,
I have been to er for same thing. They never even told me. I found out my reg doc! I was given percs and sent home. Since then i just pass them at home! I have found with much pain i can pass yhem! i ALWAYS know when Im dealing with it. Same thing everytime. Waves of pain on and off, naudea, vomiting, pass out poop and all better lol. Usually from first wavr of pain its like an hr sometimes two.
Hey Zeppy,
The problem is that if I use Miralax (or Clearlax, a cheaper form) it does nothing for me because I already have poop stuck in there. It won't make it soft. My problem is with the poop that's already stuck in there. I wish I had something to make it soft or breakable enough for my butt to poop it out.
Last night I was very gassy and couldn't do much. It hurt so much as I pushed that I continue being bloated and gassy today. I honestly don't know what to do and I'm freaking out.
I went to the ER hoping they would do something to help me with the blockage, but no. If this is how it's going to be, I might just die from this. I don't know.
- Location
- York,
Magnesium. Its in the isle with marlax. Its in a clear glass bottle..and only $1!!
Drink the whole bottle..i PROMISE you..u will poop lol (it look 6-8 hrs for me)
Drink the whole bottle..i PROMISE you..u will poop lol (it look 6-8 hrs for me)
Or throw up, I wouldn't suggest doing that. If possible try going to another hospital or going when there's a different doctor working there. Unfortunately the ER can sometimes be hit or miss but I'd rather you go there than try to handle this on your own at home if it's really that bad. 
I know the pain your in and it can make you feel hopeless . I'm sorry you feel so bad. I agree with Jennifer you should go back to the ER. I've never had one but have you ever been given an enema. Hope you'll think about trying the ER again.
houndour - I would also suggest enemas or suppositories. If the ER can't help, can you go to a GP or nurse at a GP surgery? (Sorry, I'm not sure if they're called the same where you are - basically the doctors surgery rather than hospital or specialists). I've been in your situation a few times - need to have a bowel movement but can't get it out, despite hours of straining and pain. I know it can be terrifying to think of trying to give yourself enemas or suppositories. I've had a nurse give me an enema before. It still meant going through the pain, but it did mean it got it over and done with.
The most important thing if you're straining and it's painful: don't strain! Just push down very gently and keep breathing. Take deep breaths and push only very gently. It will take a very long time, but it is much less painful than straining hard in attempts to get it out. This will honestly make a big difference to the pain level.
Another thing to try: after ileostomy surgery there is usually some faeces left in the intestine that is passed in the days following surgery. After my surgery, my entire digestive tract became paralysed, so I just could not get this leftover matter to come out - it was in the rectum but I just could not push it out. Sorry to be overly graphic, but a nurse told me to insert a finger into the rectum and remove it that way. It took a while but it didn't hurt. You can either do this yourself (wear disposable gloves) or ask a nurse to do it.
You can avoid this recurring by taking stool softeners or other laxatives - don't wait for it to occur before you take something. Stool softeners you can take on a regular basis, but avoid any laxatives that are "habit-forming" if you're taking them long-term.
Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this kind of constipation is different from an obstructed intestine, which might be why they couldn't help at the ER - as painful as it is, as far as I know this should not result in an emergency situation. But if you're at all worried you can always visit the ER again and ask if they can help there. If you do have an obstruction as oppose to constipation, definitely do not take laxatives.
The most important thing if you're straining and it's painful: don't strain! Just push down very gently and keep breathing. Take deep breaths and push only very gently. It will take a very long time, but it is much less painful than straining hard in attempts to get it out. This will honestly make a big difference to the pain level.
Another thing to try: after ileostomy surgery there is usually some faeces left in the intestine that is passed in the days following surgery. After my surgery, my entire digestive tract became paralysed, so I just could not get this leftover matter to come out - it was in the rectum but I just could not push it out. Sorry to be overly graphic, but a nurse told me to insert a finger into the rectum and remove it that way. It took a while but it didn't hurt. You can either do this yourself (wear disposable gloves) or ask a nurse to do it.
You can avoid this recurring by taking stool softeners or other laxatives - don't wait for it to occur before you take something. Stool softeners you can take on a regular basis, but avoid any laxatives that are "habit-forming" if you're taking them long-term.
Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this kind of constipation is different from an obstructed intestine, which might be why they couldn't help at the ER - as painful as it is, as far as I know this should not result in an emergency situation. But if you're at all worried you can always visit the ER again and ask if they can help there. If you do have an obstruction as oppose to constipation, definitely do not take laxatives.
There are possible complications when dealing with impacted stool which include tears and ulceration on the rectum, necrosis/tissue death (the impaction can restrict blood flow), and surgery IF it creates a blockage (however surgery is listed as rare). http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000230.htm
Any situation that causes extreme pain, extreme discomfort etc that you are not able to resolve on your own warrants a trip to the emergency room/hospital if you are not able to see your doctor that day. It's not just meant for life or death situations.
If the fecal mass is too high for you to reach in there and try to remove it on your own (while wearing gloves) then you should see a doctor as soon as possible so they can help to remove it which should be done slowly to avoid damage to your rectum.
However in your case Zeppy321, inflammation showed on your CT scan and also revealed a partial obstruction so I'm not so sure that you're simply dealing with impacted stool so definitely be careful with any stool softeners etc. Try the low residue diet (or liquid diet if you experience a lot of pain and nausea) and increase your fluids as this will also help to soften your stool without laxatives and other stool softeners.
Any situation that causes extreme pain, extreme discomfort etc that you are not able to resolve on your own warrants a trip to the emergency room/hospital if you are not able to see your doctor that day. It's not just meant for life or death situations.
If the fecal mass is too high for you to reach in there and try to remove it on your own (while wearing gloves) then you should see a doctor as soon as possible so they can help to remove it which should be done slowly to avoid damage to your rectum.
However in your case Zeppy321, inflammation showed on your CT scan and also revealed a partial obstruction so I'm not so sure that you're simply dealing with impacted stool so definitely be careful with any stool softeners etc. Try the low residue diet (or liquid diet if you experience a lot of pain and nausea) and increase your fluids as this will also help to soften your stool without laxatives and other stool softeners.
Hey everyone. I have to say it feels amazing being able to talk to people with my condition or similar to it. I appreciate all your advice. Really, thank you.
I went to the ER, actually, two days ago (after my posts). This was the 2nd visit to the ER in the same week. According to this particular doctor, I have a big hemorroihd inside. The thing is, and I didn't mean to be disrespectful to him, I asked him if he was sure it was a hemorroihd or accumulated poop. He gave me attitude and told me he knew what he felt. I have my reasons not to believe his word 100% because he only stuck his finger in my butt (which made me scream like no business), and he could've just felt the poop. He had an a$$#$% attitude, so I don't know. I guess this also affected my trust in him.
It's gotten to a point where I feel like I'm going to die from this. I haven't given up, it's just that each day is honestly a rough path and I don't even feel like getting up to go to work. It's not just the stuck poop, it's also the pain I feel when something starts coming out. I don't know if it's an anal fissure, or a hemorroihd, or what, but the pain is so sharp and horrible that I can't continue pushing. I worry about messing the area even more even for trying. I also feel that the sphincter muscle is very tight and the area around it feels swollen. Oh, and after I TRY, even if nothing actually comes out, I flare up afterwards (correct me if I'm using the wrong term). For me a flare up is when the area, whatever area that is, starts burning and throbbing a lot. For this, I usually put some ice in my butt or... ... take a sedative to avoid dealing with this whole situation, in this case, Vistaril or Ambien (or both at the same time, LOOL. I only did it once). The latter is a pill my dad uses, but in my desperation, I take it too to be able to sleep. Some nights the burning is so much I can't even sleep. Vistaril, however, was prescribed by my gastro.
Some other days, I get regular butt pain. It's mostly burning, but not as strong as a flare up. When this happens, I can barely move. Getting up from a chair or the bed takes me a couple of seconds, instead of being immediate actions. Walking sometimes is also hard. Whenever I use the anal muscle, on purpose or not, or I clench it for whatever reason, I feel a lot of pain. So I move very slowly these days.
My girlfriend and I get very frustrated and there are days we just cry because I'm not getting any better. I'm losing weight and I'm barely eating my mother's food, which I love to death. I love food overall!! There are days in which I don't eat because I'm scared it'll make more poopie. I could be wrong about this. I could make poop even if I don't eat... I don't know. But in my fear, I avoid it. The sad thing is, I know... I know I have to eat. Some days I only have one meal. I drink Boost in the morning, then the meal, and then water. Eating is a nightmare as well. When I do eat, I follow the protocol... fiber, water, and nothing spicy or irritating. I take fiber supplements as well. And if I eat junk food as my one meal of the day, I avoid spicy stuff, coke, and condiments. I even cut down coffee (just in case) and alcohol (even though I was never really a fan of it, hehe). I have Clearlax at home and milk of magenisa. My concern is that regardless of how hard or soft the poop is, the pain is still excrusiating. So, to be honest, I stopped using stool softeners. Let me know if it was a mistake. I've also avoided laxatives because of my job. I'm a teacher, so... I can't just leave the classroom everytime I feel like going to the bathroom.
Going back to the last doctor I saw, he gave me two shots in the butt. One for the pain (I think it was Toradol) and a muscle relaxant. With this, I was able to poop even though it was painful, but never as painful as before I took the medicine, so I took advantage of the medicine and tried to push out as much as I could. My concern now with Toradol (which he prescribed as well as home medication) is that I read online it's not a good choice for people with GI problems, such as colitis or Crohn's. This presents a new problem as well because it makes me feel insecure of the medication they're giving me. I won't buy it if it's only going to make the pain go away, but then make my condition much much worse. *sighs*
Today I made an appointment for a new gastro to see his opinion. I'm dreading the thought of him sticking his finger in my butt, or any procedure he has to perform. I've heard many stories about procedures for this kind of condition not being anesthesized in any way. The thought alone makes me sweat in fear.
Oh, can someone shed some light on what this is? "Acute Self Limiting Colitis"? What does "acute" mean? This was the first impression the doctor had after my colonoscopy. The thing is, this whole new problem I have now happened after the colonoscopy, so... if I have a fissure or a hemorroihd it didn't show up. *sighs*
I went to the ER, actually, two days ago (after my posts). This was the 2nd visit to the ER in the same week. According to this particular doctor, I have a big hemorroihd inside. The thing is, and I didn't mean to be disrespectful to him, I asked him if he was sure it was a hemorroihd or accumulated poop. He gave me attitude and told me he knew what he felt. I have my reasons not to believe his word 100% because he only stuck his finger in my butt (which made me scream like no business), and he could've just felt the poop. He had an a$$#$% attitude, so I don't know. I guess this also affected my trust in him.
It's gotten to a point where I feel like I'm going to die from this. I haven't given up, it's just that each day is honestly a rough path and I don't even feel like getting up to go to work. It's not just the stuck poop, it's also the pain I feel when something starts coming out. I don't know if it's an anal fissure, or a hemorroihd, or what, but the pain is so sharp and horrible that I can't continue pushing. I worry about messing the area even more even for trying. I also feel that the sphincter muscle is very tight and the area around it feels swollen. Oh, and after I TRY, even if nothing actually comes out, I flare up afterwards (correct me if I'm using the wrong term). For me a flare up is when the area, whatever area that is, starts burning and throbbing a lot. For this, I usually put some ice in my butt or... ... take a sedative to avoid dealing with this whole situation, in this case, Vistaril or Ambien (or both at the same time, LOOL. I only did it once). The latter is a pill my dad uses, but in my desperation, I take it too to be able to sleep. Some nights the burning is so much I can't even sleep. Vistaril, however, was prescribed by my gastro.
Some other days, I get regular butt pain. It's mostly burning, but not as strong as a flare up. When this happens, I can barely move. Getting up from a chair or the bed takes me a couple of seconds, instead of being immediate actions. Walking sometimes is also hard. Whenever I use the anal muscle, on purpose or not, or I clench it for whatever reason, I feel a lot of pain. So I move very slowly these days.
My girlfriend and I get very frustrated and there are days we just cry because I'm not getting any better. I'm losing weight and I'm barely eating my mother's food, which I love to death. I love food overall!! There are days in which I don't eat because I'm scared it'll make more poopie. I could be wrong about this. I could make poop even if I don't eat... I don't know. But in my fear, I avoid it. The sad thing is, I know... I know I have to eat. Some days I only have one meal. I drink Boost in the morning, then the meal, and then water. Eating is a nightmare as well. When I do eat, I follow the protocol... fiber, water, and nothing spicy or irritating. I take fiber supplements as well. And if I eat junk food as my one meal of the day, I avoid spicy stuff, coke, and condiments. I even cut down coffee (just in case) and alcohol (even though I was never really a fan of it, hehe). I have Clearlax at home and milk of magenisa. My concern is that regardless of how hard or soft the poop is, the pain is still excrusiating. So, to be honest, I stopped using stool softeners. Let me know if it was a mistake. I've also avoided laxatives because of my job. I'm a teacher, so... I can't just leave the classroom everytime I feel like going to the bathroom.
Going back to the last doctor I saw, he gave me two shots in the butt. One for the pain (I think it was Toradol) and a muscle relaxant. With this, I was able to poop even though it was painful, but never as painful as before I took the medicine, so I took advantage of the medicine and tried to push out as much as I could. My concern now with Toradol (which he prescribed as well as home medication) is that I read online it's not a good choice for people with GI problems, such as colitis or Crohn's. This presents a new problem as well because it makes me feel insecure of the medication they're giving me. I won't buy it if it's only going to make the pain go away, but then make my condition much much worse. *sighs*
Today I made an appointment for a new gastro to see his opinion. I'm dreading the thought of him sticking his finger in my butt, or any procedure he has to perform. I've heard many stories about procedures for this kind of condition not being anesthesized in any way. The thought alone makes me sweat in fear.
Oh, can someone shed some light on what this is? "Acute Self Limiting Colitis"? What does "acute" mean? This was the first impression the doctor had after my colonoscopy. The thing is, this whole new problem I have now happened after the colonoscopy, so... if I have a fissure or a hemorroihd it didn't show up. *sighs*
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Hi houndour - perhaps you should start your own thread and repost this there? I just wouldn't want to see Zeppy's thread go too far off-topic, as it really sounds like you're dealing with a constipation problem, which is not the same as an obstruction. If you start your own thread with a title related to the problems you're having, you may well get some more replies from people who've experienced similar.
The "flare-up" you're describing is not the same as when the word "flare" is used in relation to Crohn's, which refers to a period of active disease as oppose to the type of pain.
Have you seen a colorectal specialist? It sounds like you need a thorough colorectal examination to determine exactly what the problem is.
Before I had my ileostomy, I had plenty of rectal exams, both with a finger and with a camera/scope with no anaesthetic. I never found it that painful, though you really need to relax to avoid pain - the moment you tense up, it will hurt. In order to relax, you need to trust the doctor, so finding a doctor who is reassuring may make a big difference to the pain level.
But please do post your own thread on the topic of pain during defecation if you want to as I'm sure you'll get more replies that way.
The "flare-up" you're describing is not the same as when the word "flare" is used in relation to Crohn's, which refers to a period of active disease as oppose to the type of pain.
Have you seen a colorectal specialist? It sounds like you need a thorough colorectal examination to determine exactly what the problem is.
Before I had my ileostomy, I had plenty of rectal exams, both with a finger and with a camera/scope with no anaesthetic. I never found it that painful, though you really need to relax to avoid pain - the moment you tense up, it will hurt. In order to relax, you need to trust the doctor, so finding a doctor who is reassuring may make a big difference to the pain level.
But please do post your own thread on the topic of pain during defecation if you want to as I'm sure you'll get more replies that way.
Alrighty. I will. Thank you.