Experience with a partially blocked bowel? update

[susiestar]

I think this is what Jessie is coping with. She is STILL in a lot of pain. They did an xray prior to the CT scan. The xray showed a large amount of stool stuck in her bowel. They did not do the CT scan because they think this is the problem.

(The doctor who found this is the one Jessie likes best, and I like best - she doesn't write off kid's input into their health!)

Jessie is on Benefiber 3 times a day (it is amazing, you truly cannot taste it in water!!! But the tablets are huge and hard, so we recommend the powdered one.). She also is taking Miralax once a day.

The pain is not getting better, it is getting worse. Sometimes she cannot MOVE, cannot even sit with-o terrible pain. This is WITH hydrocodone 5 mg. She has not slept at night since 12/22 - that is 17 days with only sleeping 2 hours or so at a time.

She is NOT a whiner, but seems to have had a really bad year.

does anyone have any experience with this, know how long it will last, anything else to help? She is eating mini-wheats and triscuits, along with lots of fruits and veggies. When she can eat.

 

[Estherfromjerusalem]

Susie, is the doctor she saw a gastroenterologist? If not, that's the specialist that she should see. They can't possibly leave her with a blockage in her bowel -- it will have to be unblocked, one way or another.

Keep us posted -- it is truly worrying.

Love, Esther

 

[Lothlorien]

If she has a blocked bowel, she may need surgery. If the bowel ruptures, she will have very serious complications. Get her to a gastro today.

Crohn's disease comes to mind, also.

 

[Fran]

Last I remember, blocked bowel is an emergency situation. Did the dr's tell you it's a bowel obstruction or that she is just backed up? Who suggested the Miralex and benefiber.

I know some of the fiber supplements must have plenty of water to wash them through.

If they cancelled a CT scan what treatment did they suggest?
Many pain medications cause constipation.

 

[smallworld]

Susie, I agree with the need to see a pediatrician gastro TODAY. This is serious stuff.

Please keep us updated when you can.

 

[busywend]

This is very serious and in my opinion should be monitored in the hospital.

A friend's mother died from a blocked bowel. I just have to say it to put the proper amount of fear in you, sorry.
The bile backed up into her stomach and she began vomiting bile. Once that happened, even the surgery could not help her, she was poisoned from it. But, the surgery itself is very complex and difficult on any body at any age.

in my humble opinion - get her to the hospital. She needs more constant care. Even if it is not as serious as the story above - she has not slept in 17 days! That is enough to put me in the hopsital!

 

[tiredmommy]

I agree with the others, get her in today. Even if it's not a blocked bowel, she could be developing adhesions which could cause even more problems down the road. {{{Hugs}}}
Keep us updated.

 

[DDD]

Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Sending supportive hugs. DDD

 

[susiestar]

She saw the pediatrician, who diagnosed it from an xray. I will call her pediatrician. gastroenterologist, along with the pediatrican, today.

The treatment so far is miralax 1 time a day and benefiber 3 times a day, and pain medications every 6 hours. Pain medications don't touch the pain.

Thanks all. I was worried, now am appropriately scared. As I should be.

Susie.

 

[saving grace]

Ditto to getting her to the Gastro, I know how this feels first handm I was not "blocked" but "backed up"it was is extremly painful. babygirl had the same problem this Summer, was given Miralax and eventually moved her bowels in about 3 days, she had a terrible case of diarriah but she went.

She should have been able to pass it by now.

Grace

 

[Fran]

I would focus more on the blocked bowel treatment. The pain will be gone if the blockage is treated. More pain medication isn't the answer, especially at her age.

 

[crazymama30]

narcotics cause constipation. Not a good answer. I would think if she has a partially blocked bowel she should be hospitalized. I have seen partial blockages clear themselves, but the patients were hospitalized. She needs to be seen and admitted.

 

[susiestar]

I just talked to the pediatric gastro's nurse. She said to increase the miralax to 2 times as day and push fluids. She said the doctor won't do anything at this point???? Jess just has to work it out.

We are giving the narcotics very sparingly because they cause constipation. She does not seem constipated, never did. I am kind of worrying about some problem with the intestines, like twisting, but the docs are not very responsive Say it has to work out before the CT scan will show anything.

I am still waiting for the pediatrician to call back. I wonder if she is off today - the nurses don't answer the docs' messages if they are off.

Susie

 

[Sue C]

Susie -- This is an extremely serious situation. My good friend's husband had total blockage and...........well..........I don't need to say more. Can you try very hard to get her admitted to the hospital?????????? I don't mean to overly alarm you, but this is very very serious should she become totally blocked.

sue

 

[1905]

The Dr. doesn't know. Get to the ER now. This is very serious, this happenend to a friends son, you need to find a Dr. who does know. Some don't want to admit they don't know everything and we blindly believe them. -Alyssa

 

[Fran]

What do you mean she doesn't seem constipated? I don't understand. I thought you thought she had a bowel blockage?hadn't slept since 12/22 and is taking narcotics for pain.
I'm probably not getting it from cyber communication. Sorry.
I'm really confused.

 

[witzend]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: susiestar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">She saw the pediatrician, who diagnosed it from an xray. I will call her pediatrician. gastroenterologist, along with the pediatrican, today.

The treatment so far is miralax 1 time a day and benefiber 3 times a day, and pain medications every 6 hours. Pain medications don't touch the pain.

Thanks all. I was worried, now am appropriately scared. As I should be.

Susie. </div></div>

The vicodin is probably undoing all that the laxatives are doing. No wonder the poor thing is in pain! I would try to see the gastro ASAP.

 

[susiestar]

She was just seen by the pediatrician. Not sure I agree with them, but our ER will NOT admit, not for ANYTHING.

She has a years worth of poop stuck in her?????

Has to drink Go-Lightly and then do an enema, no pain medications for anything, go back in a week. This sounds miserable and I would be willing to bet I take her in before a week is up.

Is it me or is it odd to have your body store up a YEAR's worth of poop? What would cause this is the question, and no one will tell us anything.

She IS pooping, has never had hard poop or constipation. We have asked because her medications, and period cramps. It LOOKS like normal poop coming out, even with this block.

We will probably try the ER in one of the nearby cities if she stops pooping.

I have to ask my mom about this when she brings Jessie back from the appointment. I had to be at home because I fell. Could not go anywhere. Glad I have the spine doctor tomorrow.

Susie

 

[susiestar]

Fran, she does have a bowel blockage according to the doctor, BUT she is pooping, and it LOOKS like huge amounts. It is soft, but not diarrhea.

This makes absolutely NO sense. I do agree no pain medications. I will talk with mymom and then call the doctor to see what is going on.

Susie

 

[busywend]

Well, now it does not even sound like a blockage is causing the pain. If she is going - what is the miralax supposed to accomplish?
This just does not jive.
I am less worried if she is going potty.

So, really it is all about the pain? I am sorry if I do not understand - I am sure the story is in many posts before this that I am not putting together all in one.