Re: obstruction of small intestine - can't tolerate fibre
From: Christine M. Smith (smithy@maine.rr.com)
Tue Aug 24 21:00:38 1999
At Tue, 24 Aug 1999, Ginny King wrote:
>
>Jennifer Lee,
>
>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
>
>Hi Ginny:
I found your tips very interesting. I seem to have increased pain (a
specific type of pain different than my SI problem) when I eat a lot of
grapes. I can tolerate a small amount at any one time, but if I eat a
lot I suffer.
Are there any particular foods that cause you trouble? Another thing I
am curious about-how much time is there between eating the food and
increased pain? Is your crohn's just in your colon or did they biopsy
other places as well? If it were just in your colon, or lower small
intestine, you would think there would at least a twelve hour delay
between eating the food and the increased pain but I find it happens
sooner than that.
While I'm sure a kernel of corn or a pit could cause a total obstruction
in the bowel that is partially obstructed I think the right situation
has to be in place. The reason I say this is because I had an adhesion
tying off my small bowel like a sausage. On the video it looked as if
nothing of any size could've gotten past it. Except for the incident
that started my problem two years ago and another incident this past
March (which probably wasn't caused by this adhesion because it had been
released and had not reoccurred again by 6 months later) I have had no
problems that indicate any kind of obstruction. So unless the bowel is
really kinked and bound I think it has the ability to
stretch/expand/whatever to accommodate whatever it has to.
The colo-rectal surgeon I saw said he has seen colons that look like
they are tied in knots and do not obstruct. I guess every situation is
different. Every time I look at that video of my lap I wonder how my
gut functioned! It is amazing.
Chris S.