Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Partial Bowel Obstruction

Question:
I had a partial bowel obstruction about 3 years ago that was caused by adhesions. I was having surgery for bleeding from a diverticula's (sp) that they couldn't stop when the surgeon discovered the obstruction. I guess it has some of the same symptoms. Pencil thin stool that alternates with diarrhea. I enjoyed almost 2 years of normalcy but the last 6 months or so I have the pencil thin stool and diarrhea. My question is if I slowly introduce more fiber could that help the diarrhea without causing more of an obstruction. I know if I eat the wrong veggies (peas, corn etc) I have a lot of pain for days. I have slowly stopped eating everything that causes pain but I would like to try to slow down the diarrhea, many days it is up to 10-12 times a day I just think that is too much.

Answer:
See your doctor. Your doctor knows your history in much more detail than we do. Plus, your doctor is able to examine you. We can't. This is what will happen when I go to Dr. I will tell him my symptoms and he will say. �You had a mass of adhesions the last time I operated. I agree you are probable partial obstructed but I think we should wait. And I will agree with him. I am not criticizing him he is a great Dr. I just know what he will say. I appreciate your response. I wasn't looking for an examination. I just want some ideas (good or bad) about adding more fiber to see if it would help. I'd suggest you talk with your doctor about specific kinds of fiber and fiberous foods or powdered supplements.As stated we don't know the degree of your restriction but maybe particulate fiber (as in grains ground into breads and cereals, vegetable and fruit juices, shredded veggies and fruits incorporated into other foods; soft, easily divided fiberous foods) might likely pass through narrow openings. Even things like your dentition may affect the likelihood of obstruction. Thanks for the feedback it made a lot of sense.I did try 1/2 of a fiber tablet and that didn't do much I didn't try a whole one because I was a worried it would be too much. I was just hoping someone else had experimented with trying fiber and they would share that information. I know I should go to the doctors but I am just reluctant to. Maybe I am more afraid he would want to operate and if I don't hear him say it than I can believe he wouldn't say it. Crazy huh? Well thanks again for you response I will be very careful about what I add. Fiber pills were never for me either. If you can discipline yourself to the course that has helped me, it probably couldn't hurt you either. Every morning for breakfast, put one full cup of Raisin & bran cereal (flakes)  (Post's is OK). into a bowl with 1 cup of skim milk and I/2 diced fresh banana. With this breakfast two cups of good, strong coffee. This regimen won't show great success until a couple days have passed. In fact, you may feel more bloated for a couple of days until your body adjusts. But once you have adjusted to it, it is the best....natural, somewhat flatulent, but happy bowels, with little other trouble. It is a really boring diet after a while, but after a while you will realize that when you eat this way, you really have fewer need-to-have-fiber symptoms. It really becomes a great friend. Pills will never do this for you. Also, if you can eat them, 20 black olives (preferably Moroccan, salted with oil) as a lunch snack only add to the comfort of the digestive tract. It may not be your way, but it is a good way for digestive comfort...