The Dreaded BOWEL OBSTRUCTION post. Had one? Post here!
I have a similar experience.
I read a story about bowel obstruction on these boards somewhere back in May or early June when I was having excruciating pain as you described. I had already seen a GI doctor, had an endoscopy, a CAT scan and an MRI enterography which confirmed the twisted inflamed bowels and internal hernia. Each test took a week to schedule and I was getting worse. The GI doc told me to find a surgeon on my plan. I called several surgeons and none could see me for another week or so. I was in agony and losing weight like crazy. I looked like **** I was 15 months out. I was doubled over in pain one morning... frightened. I knew that if the oxygen was cut off in my bowels that I had 6 hours to live as per the article on OH.
I contacted my bariatric surgeon via email and told him I was worried cause I had just read about bowel obstruction, gangrene of the intestines and that it's deadly on these boards. I asked him for advise on what I should do while I wait to see a surgeon on my health plan. I asked him how I could tell if the oxygen was cut off so I could get to a hospital in time.
I told him that since he's not on my health plan I would have to see another surgeon... he read what I told him about the test results, my symptoms, etc and he told me to call his office and meet him at the emergency room at once. He said that if the health insurance plan pays for that hospital, that it would be okay. I was in the pre-op within an hour believe it or not. I had the surgery an hour or so later. They tried doing it laproscopically but they ended up having to cut me from sternum to navel and then I had to stay in the hospital for several days after that. That was the first time I was ever cut in an operation.
I felt awful for another month after that. I am just starting to feel okay again and I can eat almost like I was eating before I got ill. I was really concerned afterward because I could barely eat a thing and I called the doctor to see if he touched my pouch while I was in surgery and he said no. Then they sent me to another CAT scan just to see if there was still an obstruction but thankfully there wasn't. So I just waited it out hoping that it would all get better. It did.
So guess what? I am fighting a battle with the insurance company at the moment. They have denied all my claims despite my telling them that I was this close to death and had to go to the emergency room. Interestingly, I was laying on my death bed in the hospital while they were taking my blood and xrays pre-surgery and talking to HIP on the phone explaining what was happening and getting authorization for the surgery. Then they turned around and told me I had a pre-existing condition. For god's sake. It was pre-existing for about 2 or 3 weeks. Idiots. I have the NYS attorney general's office on this as well at the NYS insurance board. I have to do this almost every time I have a claim. I had it with my previous insurance company and with my son's insurance company. I'm getting good at fighting them with help of government agencies... but still... what is going on? I never had this before in my life and I'm 55.
God, I hate health care in this country. Hate it. I would gladly have my tax money go towards national health like they have in England and France, rather than all these wars and the pentagon ******g and losing billions of dollars. . Sheesh. We need a revolution. I am skinny enough to get out there and start marching!
I read a story about bowel obstruction on these boards somewhere back in May or early June when I was having excruciating pain as you described. I had already seen a GI doctor, had an endoscopy, a CAT scan and an MRI enterography which confirmed the twisted inflamed bowels and internal hernia. Each test took a week to schedule and I was getting worse. The GI doc told me to find a surgeon on my plan. I called several surgeons and none could see me for another week or so. I was in agony and losing weight like crazy. I looked like **** I was 15 months out. I was doubled over in pain one morning... frightened. I knew that if the oxygen was cut off in my bowels that I had 6 hours to live as per the article on OH.
I contacted my bariatric surgeon via email and told him I was worried cause I had just read about bowel obstruction, gangrene of the intestines and that it's deadly on these boards. I asked him for advise on what I should do while I wait to see a surgeon on my health plan. I asked him how I could tell if the oxygen was cut off so I could get to a hospital in time.
I told him that since he's not on my health plan I would have to see another surgeon... he read what I told him about the test results, my symptoms, etc and he told me to call his office and meet him at the emergency room at once. He said that if the health insurance plan pays for that hospital, that it would be okay. I was in the pre-op within an hour believe it or not. I had the surgery an hour or so later. They tried doing it laproscopically but they ended up having to cut me from sternum to navel and then I had to stay in the hospital for several days after that. That was the first time I was ever cut in an operation.
I felt awful for another month after that. I am just starting to feel okay again and I can eat almost like I was eating before I got ill. I was really concerned afterward because I could barely eat a thing and I called the doctor to see if he touched my pouch while I was in surgery and he said no. Then they sent me to another CAT scan just to see if there was still an obstruction but thankfully there wasn't. So I just waited it out hoping that it would all get better. It did.
So guess what? I am fighting a battle with the insurance company at the moment. They have denied all my claims despite my telling them that I was this close to death and had to go to the emergency room. Interestingly, I was laying on my death bed in the hospital while they were taking my blood and xrays pre-surgery and talking to HIP on the phone explaining what was happening and getting authorization for the surgery. Then they turned around and told me I had a pre-existing condition. For god's sake. It was pre-existing for about 2 or 3 weeks. Idiots. I have the NYS attorney general's office on this as well at the NYS insurance board. I have to do this almost every time I have a claim. I had it with my previous insurance company and with my son's insurance company. I'm getting good at fighting them with help of government agencies... but still... what is going on? I never had this before in my life and I'm 55.
God, I hate health care in this country. Hate it. I would gladly have my tax money go towards national health like they have in England and France, rather than all these wars and the pentagon ******g and losing billions of dollars. . Sheesh. We need a revolution. I am skinny enough to get out there and start marching!
(deactivated member)
on 12/10/11 2:36 pm - Califreakinfornia , CA
on 12/10/11 2:36 pm - Califreakinfornia , CA
It's threads like these that OH really needs to 
Sticky These are the type of threads that can save lives. Have you asked OH to Sticky this thread or at least come up with their own version of possible life threatening symptoms that should never be ignored and tips on how one should learn to advocate for ones self.
Sticky These are the type of threads that can save lives. Have you asked OH to Sticky this thread or at least come up with their own version of possible life threatening symptoms that should never be ignored and tips on how one should learn to advocate for ones self.
I've had two episodes; one was a true bowel obstruction, the other a Petersen's hernia. The symtoms were very similar: PAIN. I've had natural childbirth and I'm telling you, the pain is WORSE than that.
The Petersen's hernia came first, about three years post op. I was on a SCUBA vacation in Mexico and started experiencing stabbing abdominal pain. I don't remember if I had altered bowel habits and/or nausea and vomitting then; all I remember is the PAIN. It was so intense I eventually ended up in a Mexican ER, just to be sure I wasn't DYING before I got on a plane for home. I went right from Dulles Airport to the George Washington University Hospital ER. Unfortunately, diagnosing Petersen's Hernia is almost IMPOSSIBLE with the traditional tests (CT scans, xrays, etc.). I actually started feeling better in the hospital since I wasn't eating, so I went home....only to experience the pain again, so I went back. Long story short, I finally agreed to exploratory surgery which is how they found out and fixed the problem.
The second time (4 years later) started the same as the first; I even said to my husband "I think that bowel problem I had before in Mexico has come back". I went to the ER, where the pain was so bad I was ON MY KNEES AT THE REGISTRATION DESK, I could not stand up! Luckily, this one was obvious on CT scan...and I had surgery within a few hours. Again, I don't remember the bowel/intestinal symptoms (if I had any); just pain.
The Petersen's hernia came first, about three years post op. I was on a SCUBA vacation in Mexico and started experiencing stabbing abdominal pain. I don't remember if I had altered bowel habits and/or nausea and vomitting then; all I remember is the PAIN. It was so intense I eventually ended up in a Mexican ER, just to be sure I wasn't DYING before I got on a plane for home. I went right from Dulles Airport to the George Washington University Hospital ER. Unfortunately, diagnosing Petersen's Hernia is almost IMPOSSIBLE with the traditional tests (CT scans, xrays, etc.). I actually started feeling better in the hospital since I wasn't eating, so I went home....only to experience the pain again, so I went back. Long story short, I finally agreed to exploratory surgery which is how they found out and fixed the problem.
The second time (4 years later) started the same as the first; I even said to my husband "I think that bowel problem I had before in Mexico has come back". I went to the ER, where the pain was so bad I was ON MY KNEES AT THE REGISTRATION DESK, I could not stand up! Luckily, this one was obvious on CT scan...and I had surgery within a few hours. Again, I don't remember the bowel/intestinal symptoms (if I had any); just pain.
Marilyn (now in NM)
RNY 10/2/01
262(HW)/150-155(GW)/159(CW)
(updated March 2012)
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