"FOOD STUCK"

Boy oh boy!!! Last night I made a wrong food choice I think....and STILL PAYING FOR IT DEARLY..... I was out for a stroll @ the mall and got a little hungry. Therefore, I purchased a pinto beans and cheese from Taco Bell and a spoon full of taco meat chewed very well. Remind you I am still on pureed foods. I thought this would work....NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! I've been up all night with discomfort and trying to find remedies. I drank and drank hot tea and broth. Along with taking tums. Finally, I called the doctor this a.m. as to what to do with my pouchie. I am scaring my myself!! I just got a call back from Dr. Clayton who is on call for Dr. Irgau. He informed to go back to clear liquids the next 24 hrs. and ride it out until the food becomes dislodge. Or if the discomfort becomes worse to go ER. Have anyone experience this before and what did you do?

Shay-When that happens to me (and it still does at 19 months) I found that I shouldn't eat ANYTHING. When I eat something else it aggrivates it. I even have a hard time with clear liquids. Usually on the second day I can do clear liquids. It just has to take its course, which you can't go fast enough. The best thing is just let your pouch rest. Nicki

Darn Shay, I hope you feel better very soon! Thanks for the "heads up"! Angie

Of the times that has happened a small sip of diet soda help it bubble out early on - felt & sounded like a gurgling clog being dislodged. I've heard people recommend Adolf's meat tenderizer in water but I don't know if that works... One time it was bad & i tried a sip of diet pepsi & I threw up almost right away - but I did feel better. I probably would have tried those same foods at your stage, I had Wendy's chili a number of times too. It may have just made your pouch uncomfortable and rather then something being stuck it may just be "sore" and like Nick said it might need to just rest. If you could drink the tea then at least whatever the problem is it does not sound like something islodges in your stoma, if it were then the liquid would not pass. I hope the discomfort passes soon!

Sure hope you are feeling a bit better by now. I had the same thing happen to me when I was just a week out and I felt horrible and quite truthfully a bit weirded out. I was concerned that I may not be able to eat real food ever again. BTW - I was able to eat again!!! Here is a clip out of my journal on how I dealt with the problem. Not necessarily recommending this but I was desperate and was willing to try anything. I have since spoke with an RN about the "soda" procedure and she said that is what they use in the hospital to clear a clog out of the feeding tubes and it was a great idea ... again, I would not really recommend this, but it worked for me when I was in a really bad spot. November 6, 2003 "Tried soft scrambled egg blended last night and it felt like it got stuck in my throat. I don't think I could have chewed it any better, so I don't really understand what that was all about. I drank hot decaf tea ... did not help it, so I checked the library and a ER nurse said at their hospital they give a soda to sip on to anyone with something stuck. I happened to have an old one in the cabinet (diet) and was kinda desperate so I tried it. I only took about three sips and allowed then to linger in my throat. You could feel the carbonation move the blockage. Strange feeling, sorta like when you use Drano to unclog a drain and all the sudden you hear the gurgle, gurgle? Well anyway, for today at least I am sticking to the liquids only!!!

Hi Shay! Oh my goodness! I am so sorry that you're in such discomfort! I have heard folks talk about the soda option and the meat tenderizer option. Since I haven't "been there - done that", I'm not going to give advice. I just wanted you to know that you're in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you're feeling much better!

Wow, Shay!!!! I hope that you are feeling much, much better by now. I've only had one bad incident, and I haven't tried chinese since!!! Ken

Hi Shay, Hopefully by now you are feeling much much better! I haven't had this happen yet and the replys may come in handy. You sound like you are doing so much better than I was after surgery. Take care. This is week 5 for me. I see Dr Wynn on Friday morning. Peace, T