Hi and welcome to the forum. I don't quite experience what you have but I have been recently diagnosed with Crohn's which causes a narrowing of the bowel because of scar tissue. Fiber is not good for me at all during an active stage. I've listed below some information that I was given regarding Crohn's from my doctor, but I think it might be beneficial to you as well.
1. Avoid raw vegetables and fruit. Eat cooked vegetables and canned fruit.
2. Bananas are usually tolerated, but only when ripe.
3. Avoid the cabbage family (cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower.) although the florets of broccoli seem to be well toloerated.
4. Potatoes and whole wheat bread are tolerated in some individuals and can help supply some fiber to the diet.
This is a quote from a book I have on intestinal problems: " intestine that is narrowed by previous inflammation (that's me) or a tight scar (sounds like you) can become blocked by a single kernel of corn or by a pimento from a stuffed olive" Seems to me if this is the case then your theory is not out of line at all. Since doctors know that fiber,in particular from fruits and vegetable cause complications with Crohn's, that they would be familar with the problem you are describing.
I have been fortunate enough to never suffer a complete bowel obstruction as you have. I can't imagine the pain you must be in because I am in unbearable pain and I only have a partial obstruction. I hope this helps some. Take care. Ginny
At Tue, 24 Aug 1999, Jennifer Lee wrote:
>
>Hi everyone,
>I can't believe I have finally found this site after months and months
>of surfing the web for information. I don't know anyone else who
>suffers from this problem, and I'm hoping perhaps someone out there can
>identify with this:
>
>I am a thirty-year old female who underwent surgery as an infant, to
>remove an obstruction in my small intestine.
>Since then, I have suffered unbearably painful episodes of intestinal
>obstruction, which doctors have diagnosed as "adhesions of scar tissue."
>These episodes are characterized by vomiting, swelling and tenderness in
>the obstructed area, extreme, agonizing cramping which occurs every few
>minutes, and a feeling of bloatedness in the stomach. (probably from
>all the food that is not going through.) usually, when this happens, I
>have to go to hospital where they hook me up to an IV and shove a
>Nasogastral tube down my nose to "decompress" me. It typically takes
>about one to two weeks for the obstruction to clear on its own.
>
>I have noticed, (and no one doctor I have discussed this with believes
>this,) that these obstructions only occur when after I've eaten
>vegetables or fruits, especially those high in fibre, such as
>cauliflower, broccoli, celery and oranges where the pith has not be
>removed. I have this idea in my mind that the fibre from these foods
>gets "tangled" in the scar tissue in my small intestine, thus "blocking"
>and "restricting" the passage of other substances. This has never been
>diagnosed (because all x-rays and barium enemas and all those newfangled
>tests I've endured all declare that my intestines are "normal.") But
>surely, it cannot be pure coincidence that each time I eat something
>fibrous my intestines become obstructed.
>
>anyway, i have been told numerous times that there is no cure for my
>condition, as surgery to remove the scar tissue would only result in the
>formation of more. i am now at the end of my tether. doctors continue
>to tell me that nothing can be done, and nobody understands just how
>horrifically painful this condition is. i weigh only 95 pounds, even
>though i'm 5'4". people always assume I'm anorexic, when in fact, i
>have this rare condition i cannot even begin to explain.
>
>i hope someone out there can relate to this, and tell me if there's any
>hope.
>
>jennifer