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HELP! Intestines aren't working after surgery.

Mon, November 17, 2008 3:58 PM

I need any advice I can get. My husband is in the hospital and his intestines arent contracting and moving food through after 3 surgeries. His doctor has two suggestions for him 1. Get special permission to use Zelnorm or 2. Send my husband out of state for a second opition. Please if anyone has been in this situation before tell me what they did for you. We do not have the money to travel out of state for help. Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions and advice.

UPDATE: Thanks to everyone who responded to my email with their own experiences. You were exactly right. Brad was transfered from Charleston, WV to Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, OH on Saturday and it was determined that Brad has a section of his small intestine that has twisted. The doctor put a ng tube in Brad's nose to help relieve the pressure on his intestines in hopes that the "twist" will work itself out. If not Brad has to wait 3 to 6 months to have surgery. He has to let his body heal from the surgies he had 2 months ago. Please pray that Brad does not have to have surgery. Thanks again.

april and brad
Joined Nov 9, 2008

Tue, November 11, 2008 4:01 PM

Reply posted for april and Brad.

Hi April,

I recently had surgery for a small intestinal blockage 10 days ago for which they removed 18 inches. I must say, my doctors did run the barium test prior to see not only the blockage but the length of the blockage and the swelling. Due to this particular Crohn's disease, I was very constipated and did not respond to Asacol or Prednisone. I found a wonderful surgeon who was trained at Mt. Siani Hospital in NY as well as worked at Cedar's Sianai in LA. If you plan on comming to Tucson AZ the doctors are wonderful. You may want to consider the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix which specialized in Crohn's and Colon as well. Good luck. JB

joybarr
Joined Oct 25, 2008

Mon, November 10, 2008 12:27 PM

Reply posted for april and Brad.

Hi April,

I'm so sorry you and Brad are going through this. I had surgery in February and was deathly ill afterwards, I kept telling the doctors there is something wrong, but they couldn't find anything with the conventional tests. I since went to Cedar's Senai in Los Angeles, and I've learned a lot! There are two things you can do there to find out where the possible blockage is. When you say his intestines aren't working, do you mean he eats and it immediately blows out his butt? Or they aren't processing and then what happens?

Anyway, two possible things the doctors can try: Capsule endoscopy. That will photograph the entire tract, from mouth to anus. If it gets stuck, it will show them where in the small intestines there is a problem. All of the conventional tests said my Crohn's was in remission, yet when they FINALLY did the Capsule Endoscopy, not only did it get stuck, but they saw all the active ulcerations I have. Or there is another test it's called a double balloon colonoscopy. IF you cannot get any help, insist your doctors call Cedar's and consult. They are specialists and cutting edge of fighting Crohn's. Good luck to you.

sherrybabie
Joined Nov 10, 2008

Mon, November 10, 2008 1:00 AM

Reply posted for april and Brad.

Don't panic! Have they looked to see if your husband has an intestinal blockage? I had all three of the surgeries and after my second and third had intestinal blockages. They didn't figure it out for several days and after my second surgery, even sent me home before realizing it! I ended up extremely sick and back in the hospital for 10 more days. Stay positive...please let me know if you have any questions!

sdaley
Joined Apr 8, 2008

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