Hi Dan, Totally agree about prune juice. When things get a little thick I take a small glass. I was surprised myself as to how good it tasted. And yes take too much and you will experience the big BANG 😂

Thanks for the great tip!

And we shouldn't forget that in Star Trek , the Next Generation the Klingon, Worf,  proclaimed prune juice to be the drink of warriors!

Kinda gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "where no one has *gone* before, hmm?"

It’s Worse Than That!! He’s Blocked Jim 💩

Yup. Prune juice is magic juice for me. I only drink it if I want to purge my system and flush out any blockages in the making. 

One word of caution, however. If it does a laxative effect on you, don't drink it (or any other laxative) if you have a full blockage. This can be dangerous. 

But for "slow clogs", it's worked great. 

Appreciate the word of Caution, Eric.

As did Eric, I also would say to be careful of using prune juice or any laxative if a blockage exists since there are different types of blockages. Otherwise I agree it is a helpful remedy.

Thanks for the reminder, Eric!

Stella

@veganostomy

Eric,

You mention partial blockage vs. full blockage, being still a rookie, how do I distinguish  the difference? At times I have been worried I might be having some type of blockage but so far I have done some of your suggestions and it has cleared up. 

Thanks.

Posted by: @awc19

how do I distinguish  the difference?

Sometimes, it comes down to identifying more than one symptom or noticing a drastic change in your output. 

A common symptom is when output stops with little to no liquid (this can indicate a total blockage), but sometimes you will have a lot of liquid output and no solid output, which can also indicate a pretty severe blockage. 

Almost always, you will find that there's a feeling cramping or pressure behind the stoma (with or without output). Nausea and vomiting are also common in total blockages and you should be in the hospital if you are at this point. 

More details and info can be found in this article: https://www.veganostomy.ca/dealing-with-ostomy-blockages-w-video/

You all are responsible for my not getting to sleep yet... I keep giggling thinking about this conversation remembering I referred to prune juice as motion potion. My aunt used to make little balls of prunes/date and some other things as a "treat", (she chef'd  in a nursing home for a bunch of constipated old folks) the inocent looking tasty little balls gave a whole new meaning to power ball lottery only with big white thrones and hallway  cops involved. The balls were none less then erruptivly  dangerous and kept the janitorial staff employed every thursday! Tho prune juice has its place both in vitamins, and the olympics, forcing it on a possible full blockage is dangerous. Eric's right, if in doubt check it out and I don't mean with prune juice. In time you will be able to tell a partial from full block, keeping a journal  of  foods eaten, fluid intake & output as soon as you know something is up ( litreraly), will help you discern what is going on. Pain and nausea, get you and your stoma to the hospital pronto! Once there or on the phone to 911, the first words out of your mouth should be "I have an ostomy and I think I have a bowel blockage". Maybe now I can sleep. Thank you all it's been real!

@veganostomy

I think I might have a blockage.  I still have output but it is foul smelling and I feel a lot of pressure in my abdomen.  How do I know if it’s that or a crohns flare?  I was nauseous yesterday and a bit today tried cola not sure if this is a full blockage partial or crohns

Posted by: @vickih

How do I know if it’s that or a crohns flare?  

Only your doctor can tell you that, through a scope or maybe bloodwork.

The pressure and nausea sound like a blockage but is it a lot less than normal? Foul smelling could also mean different things. How are you feeling otherwise?

@vickih

Review what you have eaten that may have caused a block of some kind. Fruit peel, too much spaghetti, popcorn kernels, seeds, grapes, a sandwich of hard to digest foods, banana, oranges,pears are very granually and have  made me feel like it's a block here and there. If in doubt, go to Emerge. An xray will give them a good idea of what is happening and can identify a blockage. If your having increased pain please go. Trapped gas is no picnic either. Try to lay on your sides flipping over every 5 - 10 min. and see if that helps. Keep us in the loop. I hope it's not a block.🤔

Pain no nausea now but haven’t really eaten anything.  Lots of what feels like pressure and bloat, less output but I have been on a plane today so didn’t drink as much as I should.  It’s definently changed though, the input.  Watery with little to no stool.  If I go to the hospital I will be there for hours and it’s not the best medical facility so a little worried.

@dlkfiretruck

Thanks I’m not sure what triggered it but diet hasn’t been great this last week as I was on vacation.  I’m wondering if it could  constipation too.  

@vickih

I certainly understand that. Good, do not eat at this point. Rest your gut from foods. I can only tell you what I would do as I've had many of these blockages & partials. Try laying on your side's see if the pain shifts & if you can feel gas moving or not, 10 min. a side or less. I've used a hot water bottle to help keep tummy muscles more relaxed. My abdomen becomes very hard and distended with blockages, the pain can be something else & Lots of nausea. If it's the Crohns, only a doctor can tell you that. Any blood? What color is your stool? If you passed any, what was it like? For me a more firm stool will follow a blockage, lots of water one trying to happen.  I try to increase fluids with chicken broth, it helps with dehydration. Sip your fluids to start, see what nausea does.  Walking around between flipping sides has helped too. I learned a long time ago that calling an ambulance got me in the door and seen a lot faster. No waiting in chairs. The one time I was asked to wait in chairs, I had to tell them the pain  was so bad I had trouble breathing and needed to lay down before I passed out. Mind you,  I looked like I would too. It was that bad. I was in very quickly after that but now I just call an ambulance. You might be able to ride it out a bit,  but your new ostomy would not advise it. Better safe then sorry.  Sorry your experiencing this, it's not fun. Constipation is like a blockage with a  ostomy. 

Posted by: @vickih

but haven’t really eaten anything... Watery with little to no stool.  

If you haven't eaten much, then watery output and even bile (which smells nothing like stool) are pretty normal. 

Posted by: @vickih

but diet hasn’t been great this last week as I was on vacation.

Do you think you could have caught food poisoning or something like that? Very common in certain destinations.