The Colon Club

As a long term survivor, every other year I get constipated - and then I freak out.

But I take a laxative and things clear up.

But how do I know when to see a doctor.

I felt I might have had a blockage because I felt a bit of pain in my upper abdomen. I was passing gas. I hadn't had a BM for 2 days unlike my usual 1 or 2 a day. I took a laxative and things seem to have cleared up.

So what are the symptoms of a blockage? How do you know when to go see a doctor? What's the difference from feeling uncomfortable vs pain and needing to go to the ER? Is there a difference between a partial blockage and a full blockage? Could I still have a blockage after taking a laxative?

Thank you.

During treatment we were always told that after 24 hours without a bowel movement try Colace, then is the next day still no movement go with Miralax. If still no movement after that then call the doctor.

As for the difference, while I have not suffered it myself my husband was diagnosed because of an emergency ER visit with a blockage. He told me it just steadily get worse and nothing works. The pressure and bloating build up until it's unbearable, and the more you eat/drink the faster it will be because all that you put in will start to back up. Feeling nauseous and vomiting combined with the bloating were key signs too. I'm not sure if severe constipation can mimic a blockage, his doctor thought it was severe constipation and he needed to be in the ER on an IV drip so his "system could rest". He started feeling bad on Wednesday and by early Saturday AM we were in the ER, so it was a pretty swift decline. I wish I had better words to describe it, but by the time we were in the ER he could barely stand and was vomiting everything up.

Thank you so much for that response. It helped relieve my anxiety immensely. The fact that I had a BM.

When you say your husband tried everything, I'm assuming he tried Colace and Miralax?

Thank you....

My blockage was so painful, I was hyperventilating. And, I couldn't stop throwing up. So, perhaps keep those things in mind but it is always good to check with the doctor to get their opinion.

I just had a partial obstruction (in small intestine as I don't have a colon anymore) after my J tube surgery a few weeks ago and I was vomiting massive amounts of bile, very nauseous and severe pain.

Thank you Capercrohnieileo and erinnatacha . Did you try laxatives or anything to relieve it or did you call your doctor straight away?

This truly does help lesson my anxiety. I really appreciate you sharing.

cptmac wrote:So what are the symptoms of a blockage? How do you know when to go see a doctor? What's the difference from feeling uncomfortable vs pain and needing to go to the ER? Is there a difference between a partial blockage and a full blockage? Could I still have a blockage after taking a laxative?

Thank you.

For me, I get a blockage about once a year. Wish I could determine "why" it happens, random. For me, starts out light waves of pain, that grow in intensidy. After about 2-3 hrs, I'm doubled over in pain. Nausea kicks in. Sometimes I throw up. For me, generally start to finish, last 6-8 hrs, when I"m passing gas or BM, I know the worst is over, pain is going away or has totally subsided. Next 24 hrs, tummy feels like it's been through a meat grinder.

Have not been to the ER yet, but do have paperwork that describes my symptoms and what should be address.

Once I thought I was going into a blockage, stopped eating, liquids only until I start passing gas or BM. 12 hrs later, I'm confused, finally take my temperature, WOW, it's up there, I'm actually sick!!!! 48 hrs, I'm fine. I've never had a fever with a blockage. Learn something never everyday.

Yes, one of the side effects of being a cancer survivor,

Lee

Lee do you do anything to have a BM? I don't like to take medicine unless I have too.

cptmac wrote:Lee do you do anything to have a BM? I don't like to take medicine unless I have too.

No, I just suffered through it, butt I stop eating and try to avoid liquids, as I can/do throw them ups. Again, I've never been to the ER for this. I always tell DH what is happening. Somewhere in our medicine cabinet, there is paper work addressing this problem. Also keep the same paperwork with my ostomy supplies, Because it generally clears in mostly in 6 hrs. I don't feel the need to go to ER. Personally, I think that would do me more harm than good.

If I felt I was in serious blockage mode, I would be calling a Dr.

Good luck, it can be a challenge at times.

Lee

Hi CPTMAC

I'd say you have constipation as you'd "REALLY" know if you had a blockage. Just like Lee, I'd get them several times a year and I'd go from feeling fine and functioning as a normal human being, to being doubled over with pain, taking pain killers which didn't help, to asking my wife to take me to the ER yet again. I'd have to have 2 hits of morphine to reduce the pain, as one was never enough, and even then you'd still be sore and aware of the pain, but it was somewhat removed.

Maybe try more fibre and water to see if that keeps you regular, if your system can handle it?

Kiwi

So if you have a blockage, everyone seems to take pain meds. Would it be bad to take a laxative if you had a blockage?

cptmac wrote:Thank you Capercrohnieileo and erinnatacha . Did you try laxatives or anything to relieve it or did you call your doctor straight away?

This truly does help lesson my anxiety. I really appreciate you sharing.

I was in the hospital so I had a dreaded NG tube.

Hi cptmac,
Constipation is my constant companion. At one stage I was on Targin (oxycodone //naloxone) for chronic pain. I really thought that the constipation would kill me. My cancer surgery was the full sternum to groin cut so I have problems with adhesions. My nephrologist told me that the naloxone is put in with the oxycodone to prevent opiate induced constipation . He said it rarely does. I was advised by a pharmacist to take two dulcolax and two coloxyl with every dose of targin. He also said that I should drink more water but limit my fibre intake as it does not help with medicinally induced constipation , in fact it makes it worse. I'm out to 21 years next January, My neph also said that there was a lot of conjecture about becoming laxative reliant. He said that apart from immune suppressants the drug he most prescribed is laxatives. He described constipation as a potentially dangerous condition.
I take coloxyl stool softeners morning and evening. If I struggle to have a bm I take a sachet of movicol (same as scope prep) first thing in the morning. I also have a stock of miralax mini enemas if things get bad. I have learned that there are things I cannot eat. Worst for me is cheese , it is my kryptonite. As much as I love it I avoid it. I took myself off the targin and avoid any meds with codeine. Best of luck Hugs Ron.

Ron50 wrote:
I have learned that there are things I cannot eat. Worst for me is cheese , it is my kryptonite. As much as I love it I avoid it.

What an accurate description!

I had a partial bowel obstruction yesterday and within minutes went from feeling really good to thinking I should burn my journals so
nobody reads them. Last time I eat roasted chook from Safeway.