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Dealt with blockage by inserting catheter...this is my future. Scary.

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Posted 2/14/2011 7:16 PM (GMT -5)
Hi all,

As many of you know, I've had two different blockages where my intestines just twisted at the stoma site and had to have surgery plus a 5 day hospital stay both times within the last year. It's easily been the most trying thing about having my ostomy. Otherwise I'd be just fine.

After my last surgery where my surgeon was going to try to tack my intestine down so I wouldn't have another blockage, he said he wasn't able to do it because it would have just caused more problems with different side effects. So he said these blockages can be fixed by inserting a catheter (he did this during my last surgery and left it in for a few days, sticking out of my stoma). He sent me home with some catheters and said if it happened again, I could hopefully fix it myself.

Well, last night it happened. I had a blockage, pain, the whole works. I knew it was either hospital HELL or try the catheter. It's amazing how quickly you can get up the guts to do it when you know the alternative is 5 days in the hospital and crazy bills and missing work and blah blah. Anyway, I did it, left the tube in for 12 hours overnight, and went to work today. I was uncomfortable and didn't have much appetite, and definitely still sore...intestines giving me solid liquid because they're so traumatized, but they're giving me SOMETHING!

I'm guessing it'll take a few days to return to normal, but this beats the hospital. It was scary and makes me nervous, but I guess I have to get used to it as my surgeon says it's a "semi-permanent" solution, barring unforseen circumstances or frequent blockages (like once a week).

He said I can order catheters through the same place I get my ostomy supplies. This is weird but nice to have some sort of option. Don't want to have to do it again, but I probably will. This has been my third blockage since my ostomy 11 months ago. I'm hoping with time my body will stop sucking and slow down with the blockages.

Just wanted to share with people who would understand how scary this was.

Posted 2/14/2011 7:22 PM (GMT -5)
Chick
How did you collect the sewage with the catheter in?

Dan
Posted 2/14/2011 7:29 PM (GMT -5)
I've met patients who've had to go home for a few months with a 'permanent' catheter. They could only eat a 'liquid' diet during that time. But once they were through the healing process it was removed and they went back to their regular stoma/appliance.

Have you thought about a second opinion? While the catheter is a solution for a short term is it a long term solution, too?
Posted 2/14/2011 7:33 PM (GMT -5)
Dan,
The catheter only stuck out like 6 inches, so I just wore a regular 12" pouch.

Ohio,
I've vaguely thought of a second opinion, but my surgeon is pretty well-respected around here, and apparently what happens to me is really rare. The twist at my stoma is so slight that in everyone else, just normal peristalsis would untwist it. My surgeon says it's really odd that peristalsis doesn't fix mine, because the twist isn't that severe.
Like I said, as long as this doesn't happen OFTEN, it probably is a long term solution until we can find another fix. My surgeon is not keen on doing another surgery on me; I've had 6 in the last year.
Posted 2/14/2011 11:29 PM (GMT -5)
The whole time between my son's second and third operation he had blockages, almost continuously, behind the stoma. He also was given a catheter that he inserted himself. It worked just fine. His only problem was that the intestine kept spitting it out....besides that it straightened the intestine out and would open the blockage just fine. The doctors told him it was just like sticking a finger into his mouth...no big deal.
Posted 2/15/2011 6:41 AM (GMT -5)
Yeah, mine kept coming out too and I'd have to push it back in(gently!!).

Collicat, that is so nice to hear that someone else had this problem. I was starting to feel like a complete nutjob! How often did he have these blockages? I really don't want to make this a weekly thing.

Also, when he did put the catheter in, how long would he leave it and how long would it take to feel normal again? I still feel sore and weird and it's been over 24 hours. Ugh.
Posted 2/15/2011 8:56 AM (GMT -5)
Don't take this the wrong way, but I was amused at your post. I presently have a ( failing) j pouch, planning to convert to permanent illeostomy this summer. but have had to use a catheter up the butt for 20 years now just to poop.  If I could get by inserting a catheter in a stoma once in a while, rather than up the rectum 10 to 15 times per day, I think I would be in heaven!  :-) Best of luck MG
Posted 2/15/2011 5:10 PM (GMT -5)
LOL, I am not at all offended by that. Yeah, I would assume sticking a catheter in a stoma would be less awful than sticking one up your rectum. You really can't feel it, except when it gets to the blockage. I just wish I didn't have to do it at all!
Posted 2/16/2011 7:38 PM (GMT -5)
80's

As you are only in your 20's(?) Over time couldn't all this catheterizing cause scarring inside your intestines under the stoma?

Isn't there also a chance of perforation each time you do this?

I'm glad this worked for you and saved you the trip to the hospital. I think we are ALL so TIRED of hospitals and medical people by now. But over time, if I were you, I would get another opinion. If you live into your 80's that's a LOT of catheterizing.

Best wishes, Rosemary
Posted 2/17/2011 6:40 AM (GMT -5)
I understand, Rosemary. I'm REALLY stressed out about it. Your post makes me even more stressed. This is really hard to deal with. Yes, there is a chance of perforation. I will think about a second opinion.

This sucks. I've been though enough. 10 years of sickness and 6 surgeries in the last 12 months. I'm done.
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