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Hello, Teal Sisters

I've gleaned some useful information from this forum before about bowel obstructions, so here I am again.  I had an ileus in the days after my surgery (two years ago on Saturday!) and then a partial bowel obstruction in late December.  I'm now terrified of constipation.  I also have Crohn's disease, and my new gastroenterologist has ordered a colonoscopy for me next week.  My last colonoscopy was in 2018, so the preparation is different than what I remember.  There's the "cleanse," of course, but now there's also a long list of things I can't consume for 5 days before the procedure.  I'm worried that cutting out so many of my usual fiber sources could risk constipation and, at worst, another obstruction.  Have any of you who have experienced a bowel obstruction had experience with colonoscopy prep? I'm meeting with my dietitian tomorrow but am very curious about any firsthand experiences.

Thanks,

FrogProf

@FrogProf I hope the colonoscopy went well.🙏🏻🤞

Sorry @FrogProf I didn't have any advice to provide in this area however I hope you got the counsel you needed and the prep and procedure went well. 

Greetings, Teal Sisters

I thought I'd pop in with an update, as partial bowel obstructions seem to be fairly common among this group.  Fortunately, I had a "successful" colonoscopy, in that the doctor was able to complete the test, but unfortunately, I'm as confused as ever.  It took some begging, but I got the gastroenterologist to have another in-person appointment with me (two weeks after the colonoscopy) earlier this week.  My dietitian had sent me a journal article stating that dietary restrictions prior to a colonoscopy aren't usually necessary except for the day before the procedure.  I kept this in the back of my mind when I asked the gastro. why he recommended five days without many of my usual sources of fiber and protein.  He said that the restrictions were so that he could have a clear scope.  Hmm.  He wants me to eventually start on a medication called ENTYVIO (vedolizumab), which suppresses the immune system (yikes) but, apparently, targets only the gut.  He's starting the paperwork for it, and I'm hoping that by the time I hear from my insurance company, I will have gotten advice from my family doctor's office, my gyne-oncologist, and my new nephrologist (kidney specialist). (I have a kidney disease that can also affect my liver).  I'm reminded of what I hear so often from fellow Teal Sisters, both in this forum and in the "real world": We need to be our own advocates.  It's exhausting work, though!

Just curious: Do any of you out there have experience with (or an opinion on) Entyvio (vedolizumab)?

Hi @FrogProf ... thanks for the update. Glad the colonoscopy was "successful". I do not have any experience with Entyvio however I am curious. Why is your gastroenterologist recommending it? I apologize if I missed this somewhere. Is it because it can help address bowel obstructions?

#Treatmentandsideeffects

Hi, @Alwayslearning and fellow Teal Sisters

Ah, yes... I sometimes find it so difficult to juggle my multiple chronic conditions that I forget to mention the relevant one.  :) The entyvio would be for Crohn's disease.  I read up on it a bit over the weekend, and from what I gathered, it was approved in Canada about 10 years ago for ulcerative colitis.  Use for Crohn's seems to be newer.  A receptionist from my oncologist's office called today about scheduling my next in-person appointment, and she said that she'd pass along the name of the drug.  I really want to hear my gyne-oncologist's opinion, though, before starting this new medication.  She's steered me in the right direction so far.

@FrogProf thank you for sharing. There are so many drug names, and so many I don't know, that I get lost in it sometimes. I appreciate the clarity. I respect your thought of having your gyne-oncologist's opinion before starting the drug. I always like to ensure that at least one doctor treating me has a 360 viewpoint of my medication/medical plans for advice and counsel. Please keep us informed as you learn more and plans progress. Sending you positive Teal Warrior strength. 🩵

Hello, again

Just a quick update, as I imagine that I'm not the only Teal Sister with Crohn's disease.  I was able to get a phone appointment with my gyne-oncologist on Friday and spoke to her about Entyvio (vedolizumab).  She looked it up for me and couldn't find any reason not to take it from an ovarian cancer perspective.  I sure wish I had a better grasp of anatomy, but here's what I understood from our conversation.  Because Entyvio targets the immune system only in the gut, it shouldn't increase the odds of an ovarian cancer recurrence. A recurrence would likely occur in the peritoneal cavity.  She couldn't find any research on Entyvio in ovarian cancer patients (probably because there isn't any), but she agreed with me that I should check with my nephrologist before going on the drug.  That's the next hurdle... 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!