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Suspected obstruction???

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Posted 1/11/2018 3:53 PM (GMT -5)
Yesterday night, my lower right quadrant was remarkably swollen. I also had severe pain. This was shocking for me as on Tuesday I saw my GI and he saw I was doing well. Today, the pain persisted and I had to go to work. So, I took an antispasmodic and celebrex. I was extremely sick, pain exacerbated and I threw up. So, I texted my GI. He asked whether I had either constipation or diarrhea. I replied that my bms are more towards constipation but this has been the norm for some time because of proctitis. He replied I continue taking both the antispasmodic and the celebrex and to wait for a day or two to see how things go on.

What do you recommend I should do? Both nausea and pain are persistent but not as bad as they were in the morning. I had plain boiled penne macaroni for lunch. I couldn't tolerate any other food. I didn't have any bms today and yesterday things were very minimal. Is there anything else to do to pass this flare? I can't recall I ate any forbidden food or did anything that would trigger a flare up. Stress level should have fallen down after I've gotten my PhD.
Posted 1/11/2018 4:56 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Minnie, sorry to read what you have going on at the moment. Is there a reason that you do not trust what your dr is recommending? I agree with him/her & give it a day or two. If something changes perhaps you can go to an ER or contact your gi.

I am sorry I wish I could be more helpful.
Posted 1/11/2018 6:42 PM (GMT -5)
Straydog, thank you very much. No, I do trust him. I thought you'd recommend some precautionary measures I should follow. This is the first time I experience such symptoms.
Posted 1/11/2018 7:46 PM (GMT -5)
Minnie,

If you're obstructed, then you need to get treatment. Either see your GI or get to the ER. You don't really need to have a BM every day, but you should be passing gas easily at least. Also, being nauseous or vomiting are bigger concerns. There are so many viruses this time of year as well. Hopefully you can read your own body, and be able to tell if it's anything serious. Just the same, better safe than sorry, get in to see someone for peace of mind at the very least.
Posted 1/11/2018 8:51 PM (GMT -5)
Celebrex seem like it could cause bleeding or make symptoms worse. Obstruction pain is waves of pain, almost like labor but in your intestines, and you might want to consider a laxative like Miralax or Senokot. Constipation can also cause your RLQ to be in more pain if you have inflammation there.
Posted 1/11/2018 9:42 PM (GMT -5)
Thank you, Gumby. I've always taken celebrex when I got a flare up and it has never caused any problems. Thank you for describing what is meant by obstruction and the need to treat any constipation. I was thinking that I have to increase the intestinal motility but didn't know how.
Posted 1/12/2018 7:01 AM (GMT -5)
I had a bm in the morning. It was very pale and minimal (sorry for the graphic). Does this mean the flare up has subsided? I still have pain in my LRQ. Do I still have to see my GI or not?
Posted 1/12/2018 1:21 PM (GMT -5)
When I had obstructions in the past I would get massive waves of pain, along with unbearable pressure at the obstruction site (always in the same spot, just underneath and to the right of my belly button). When the obstruction began to clear, my intestines sounded and felt like a blocked-up drain unclogging itself and the unbearable pressure would go away briefly until the next build-up/drainpipe gurgle. Depending on the severity of the obstruction this could take anything from a few minutes to several hours.

I'd give it a bit longer before getting in touch with your GI. I regularly have episodes with pain and nausea, but no obstruction (at least no test in the last couple of years has ever found a stricture). It's just one of the lovely aspects of having Crohn's disease for many of us.
Posted 1/12/2018 8:21 PM (GMT -5)
I agree with 73monte. Can you pass gas easily?
Posted 1/13/2018 12:54 AM (GMT -5)
Minnie,

I am so sorry you are experiencing this!

When I was having obstructions my GI had me switch over to liquids. I would use a heating pad, walk a lot, drink hot apple juice with cinnamon and sugar, (or hot drinks) and take warm showers and use the shower head to massage me tummy...then when I got out I would manually massage my tummy. There were times when I would pass some stools but it would take 4 to 5 days to pass all of it and for the pain to go away. Sometimes the stools were liquid and sometimes they were more solid. When my obstructions just started out I would just feel sorta constipated, nausaus, and have pain. If I continued to eat solid foods and I became fully obstructed I would have the waves of pain.

I would also watch my meds...they can cause thicker stools or for your mobility to slow down....and I would take a little milk of magnesia 3 times a day.

I hope you feel better soon!
Clo
Posted 1/14/2018 2:51 PM (GMT -5)
NCOT, thank you very much. Hope you're feeling better now. You are right. It's not an obstruction, it's one of the lovely gifts of Crohn's. Pain was excruciating. Saw my GI and he didn't seem alarmed at all. He informed me it's a colon flare up and there is inflammation. I asked him why should I flare up especially that I haven't either messed up with my food or undergone any stress. He said it's normal, expected and will recur. He prescribed an antispasmodic (pinaverium bromide) and a round of rifaximin. If I still don't find relief, after two days I can start a course of steroid injections. Also, I will take Remicade this time after 28 days. I have to admit it I underestimated Crohn's.
Posted 1/14/2018 2:59 PM (GMT -5)
Clo, thank you very much. As I explained above it's an anticipated flare up. It seems I have to reconsider how I deal with Crohn's. I thought mistakenly that after I get my PhD (no stress) and watching my food carefully, things will calm down. I was even looking forward to going into remission. It seems it's still a long journey. I have to admit it I'm a bit shocked. I should now know how to deal with an autoimmune disease.
Posted 1/14/2018 3:02 PM (GMT -5)
73monte and Erudite, thank you very much. So sorry. It seems there is a problem with my net connection. I didn't see your posts earlier.
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