Natalie,
What Pat wrote is so true, if most of the sufferers were men things
would be a lot different. My symptoms sound almost identical to yours
including the pain around the hips and lower back - kidneys, having to
shuffle like "an old person" no insult intended to anyone. I too can
feel the blockage symptoms coming and it makes me nervous which doesn't
help but I go into the modification mode too. NOBODY should have to
live life this! My quality of life is rotten and I never thought I would
have to work at gaining weight but I don't like it. My last surgeon was
very good but I ended up with a total bowel obstruction the "magical" 14
days after removal of adhesions and that was mostly because I have had
so many partial small bowel obstructions in the past the condition of my
small bowel was awful and the condition following surgey was prime for a
total obstruction. I just thank God I have a doctor who knows or
believes me and treats me symtomatically. My last surgery ended me
hospitalized for 15 days and I can't remember 3 of them - I hate that
too but to the point I am not looking forward to a repeat performance
but I don't know many that have a total obstruction and not another...oh
goody! Wow I guess I have a lot of anger built up, huh. My Internist is
great and did find an anti-depressive that doesn't make me a nervous
wreck so at least I am getting a little sleep now and that helps, you
should of heard me before!!! In case anyone is interested the drug is
Remeron and you take it at night, I had been through literally 6 other
medications before this one.
Good luck to you, I can empathize believe me.
Ann in Georgia