Is This a Blockage? Seeking Advice from Fellow Newbies

So I think I might have a blockage or a partial blockage. Still a newbie here 7 months in. I will definitely go to emergency if things get worse, so hopefully someone will chime in.

I had 2 pork chops last night for supper and totally forgot about chewing extra. Fell asleep by the wood stove and woke up an hour later and my back hurt. Went to bed and emptied my ostomy once during the night. Woke up in the morning and my back still hurt. Output was slow during the day today and I didn't eat much. Thought I would try a pop tonight and when I did, my pouch filled in like 5 mins. Emptied, waited another hour, and had another pop and the bag filled up again. Back is feeling better and no pain around the stoma or stomach. Still leery about eating anything tonight. Is this how blockages happen? Or feel?

Hi Rancher, it sounds like you may have had a partial blockage because of your pain and slowed output, but the fact that your pop went right through to your bag makes it seem that your body resolved the blockage on its own. Maybe go easy on the food for a day or two to let your intestines rest.

Yes, that is how some bowel blockages for me got. And I cannot eat solid food, so in my case, it is more like a piece of my gut has done a garden hose act and kinked itself off temporarily. Usually, when this happens, it sometimes takes a few hours of being in a lot of pain, with not a lot coming out into my bag. Often, I find that drinking some fruit juice helps to straighten my bowel out, and then I will end up with a lot of extra output - but at least the pain eases.
I have had a lot of partial blockages in the past and was put on a liquid-only diet for a few days until everything started working again.

So be careful for a few days and slowly start reintroducing food; it is better if you have 6 small meals throughout the day rather than 3 big meals.

Maybe if this happens frequently, ask about going on a very low-fiber diet.

I am not allowed to have anything with any fiber these days, and I can no longer eat solid food. I never dreamed I'd be okay only living off a nutritionally complete liquid diet, but I have become accustomed to it. Often, when I give my husband something I once really enjoyed, I feel a little jealous that I cannot eat what he is eating. But it's better for me not to give in and end up in so much pain that it's not funny anymore.

All the best, Rancher,

Gracie

Pretty much. Go back to eating and enjoy.

A couple of months after my colostomy, I had changed my skin barrier and pouch. After a day with no output, I went to the ER and waited for hours. The doctor decided to do a CT scan looking for a problem and found nothing. He said to use Restolax a few times a day. That worked. I finally figured out that no output for a day or two isn't necessarily a problem. I used Restorolax for a while until regularity improved, then I went off of it. I haven't had any problems since. But the Restorolax is in the cupboard just in case.

YMMV

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I think you guys are right. That there was a blockage. Things are back to moving today, and my back isn't sore anymore. I tried phoning the health link line and talked to a registered nurse, which was useless. I just have to remember to chew a lot more than I used to.

I also think the pop helped things along, which is something I learned on this site.

I was just a little concerned as this was the first time this has happened to me.

Thanks again

How are you feeling today?

Thanks for sharing. That's good to know. I'm glad you're ok.

When I had a blockage, I was throwing up, getting dehydrated, and my ostomy was spitting out liquid like crazy. It was almost clear liquid, just a little cloudy. I had to go to the ER because it was so painful, and I was vomiting. They kept me in for 4 days. Nothing by mouth for 4 long days and an NG tube up my nose the whole time.

I'd say if you are getting pop through your bag, you are probably clear of a blockage. Also, if you are feeling better, just be careful in the future. Remember, chew, chew, chew.

If you do get to feeling worse or you start vomiting, go to your ER right away.

Agree with everyone - sounds like it cleared. It is hard to remember, but chew until it's liquid. Also, pork can be tough, so I don't even eat it. I'm glad it cleared for you. I just had surgery in November for a partial blockage that wouldn't clear. So glad you are better!!!

What is a pop? A soda?

Yes. Most will use a cola of some sort, Coke, Pepsi, etc., not like Sprite/7UP. Real grape juice is good too.

I thought it wasn't good to have carbonated drinks with an ileostomy.

I thought it wasn't good to have carbonated drinks with an ileostomy.

I thought it wasn't good to have carbonated drinks with an ileostomy.

When you say it was painful, was your stoma burning?

It's not good.

It's not good.

It's not good. For an ileo.

But they are talking about blockages. It's good. Simple. Fast.

Good advice.

Lol. I guess Canadians call it pop, as opposed to soda. It sure seemed to help me. I am back to normal and have no pain in my back under my ribs.

Big lesson learned for me. Chew, chew, and chew more. Feeling a bit lucky as well that it passed.

(Whispering - try avoiding pork)

Lol. I hear you loud and clear. What I miss most is a good steak. I haven't had a steak for 7.5 months.

Why? Chew well, drink lots of liquids, and enjoy.

They say a lot of things.

Yeah, I've heard some members can't digest the meat. Sadly.

Maybe smaller pieces? And chew the hell out of it?