Blockages are one of the biggest fears of many ostomates. An intestinal blockage can happen when food, inflammation, scar tissue, or something else does not allow waste to properly pass through the bowels. Blockages can happen in the large or small intestine and are extremely painful.
About two years ago this year, I suffered from near continous blockages for over two months due to scar tissue at the base of my stoma. I could not eat or drink without a blockage occuring, requiring me to be prescribed daily fluids and TPN through a central line. Then, only several months later, I began having partial obstructions with my j-pouch. Again, not good. So, I have had quite the history with blockages and the impact that they can have on your health. Until recently, though, I had been blockage-free for quite some time.
Last Friday, I began having stomach pain and I suspected that something was wrong, but hoped that ignoring it would make it go away (logical thinking, right?). Unfortunately, it did not go away and by midnight of that night, I had not had any output from my stoma for going on 9 hours and my pain has escalated substaintially. Suddenly, all of the memories of past blockages came rushing back to my memory. Thankfully, on my way to the ER around 2:00 AM, the blockage began resolving itself. I was still in substaintial pain, but nothing like just an hour before. Due to the extreme stress that blockages cause on the body, many patients deal with symptoms days after the actual blockage. These include lack of appetite, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and dehydration.
After suffering from a blockage, I always go into recovery mode. During this time, I focus all of my energy on picking my body up after the traumatic event that it just went through. Here are a few of my best recovery tips after a blockage:
- Drink, drink, drink. One of the most challenging symptoms to cope with after a blockage is dehydration. Fatigue, headache, dizziness, and more all strike after over 12 hours of food and water. When I am rehydrating after a blockage, I focus much of my fluid intake on oral rehydration solutions like DripDrop. DripDrop provides me with the salt and electrolytes that I need to perk back up as quickly as possible without the excessive amount of sugar that most energy drinks have.
- Slow down and rest. I am one of the hardest humans to slow down. Quite frankly, I never stop going. But after a blockage, I really try to force myself to rest when I need to rest, nap when I need to nap, and simply give my body a break for a few days. In fact, after my last blockage, I slept 12 hours! It is 100% OK to rest during this time (all any other time too).
- Take it easy with food. After a blockage, I always go back to basics with food. Low fodmap food options work great because they are easy on the digestive system and have a low risk of causing a blockage. Ease back into the foods that you normally eat.
- Take care of your mind. Blockages are extrmemely tasking pysically, but also mentally and emotionally. After a blockage, I always find myself feeling defeated, frustrated, and in an overall low mood. I combat this, I love to watch funny movies, my favorite television shows, and just do things that make me happy and at peace. Be kind to your body and mind during this time!
I truly hope these tips help you through your next blockage or health struggle. Living with a chronic illness can be so unexpected and it undoubtedly teaches us not to take our health for granted because we know just how quickly it can be taken away from us. Stay strong and keep fighting. Each battle that you face only makes you stronger, braver, and more resilient. You've got this.