Topic Explanation:
The discussion in the forum revolves around the challenges faced by individuals with urostomies who are experiencing frequent small bowel obstructions, either partial or complete. The original poster is seeking advice and insights from others who might have similar experiences, as their lower GI and CT scans appear normal, yet the problem persists.
Advice and Helpful Insights:
1. Symptoms and Frequency:
- Participants report experiencing severe pain and vomiting, typically occurring suddenly and often at night, approximately every 4 months.
2. Possible Causes and Observations:
- One participant mentioned that their small bowel series showed kinks right after an obstruction episode, suggesting a possible physical cause for the obstructions.
3. Management Strategies:
- Pushing fluids was suggested as a potential way to help manage or break up partial obstructions, although it was noted that this might not be a definitive solution.
- One participant uses peppermint capsules before eating to manage symptoms related to the bowel, such as trapped wind pains, although this seems more related to general discomfort rather than directly addressing obstructions.
4. General Observations on Urostomy and Bowel Function:
- A participant noted that after their urostomy, their intestinal function eventually returned to normal, suggesting that some post-operative changes might be temporary.
- Another participant speculated that the removal of a small part of the bowel to create the stoma might contribute to their issues, although they also acknowledged the possibility of other complications from multiple surgeries on the bladder.
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