Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction

Question: Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction anybody dealt with it? I know what it is, my brother had it so I know a lot about it, but I was just wondering how anyone out there dealt with it and stuff like that.

Answer: There is an old saying that "death begins in the colon." This is an oversimplification to be sure but more accurate than not. In fact, the road to health begins with intestinal cleansing and detoxification -- no matter what the disease or problem. Please read all about intestinal health at http://owen.curezone.com/healing/colonde… Sounds like a drastic diet change and bowel cleansing is in order. Start with a bowel cleanse. Psyllium and bentonite is one of the simplest and most effective ways to cleanse the digestive system. Liquid bentonite should be used...or powdered bentonite should be hydrated to a semi-pourable yogurt consistency prior to using it. Mix 1 Tablespoon of liquid bentonite and 1 teaspoon of powdered psyllium (or 1 Tablespoon if using whole husk psyllium) with 8-10oz of water or diluted juice, shake and drink immediately. Follow this with another 8-10oz glass of water. This is in addition to daily water intake of half your body weight in ounces. Sufficient water is a key to success with this cleanse! Psyllium and bentonite shakes should be taken at least one hour before or after taking any supplements, herbs, medications, etc. *The shakes MUST be taken on an empty stomach....at least one hour away from food on either side. First thing in the morning, last thing at night are easy. Then one or 2 in the afternoon after lunch and before dinner - T* Start with one shake a day and gradually increase as the body adjusts to the additional fiber. It may take 3-5 shakes a day and/or several weeks before you start passing mucoid plaque. Continue taking the shakes as long as mucoid plaque is being eliminated for up to 6 months. Additional cleanses may be necessary in order to thoroughly cleanse the digestive system and can be performed for a few months at a time. Each cleanse should be followed with the use of a good-quality probiotic to replace beneficial bacteria. Maintenance cleanses should be done 2-4 times per year. If constipation should occur while doing this cleanse, 1) increase daily water intake, 2) use enemas or colonics to clear out released material and get things moving again, and 3) cut back on the shakes or stop the cleanse until the bowels are moving regularly again. Stay away from these "foods." http://curezone.com/foods/foods_that_kil… Start eating these foods: http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

Question: What prevention & treatment modalities available for "Idiopathic Subacute Pseudo Intestinal Obstruction" A forty five year old male patient suffering from frequent attacks of sub acute pseudo intestinal obstruction since about 20 years. The frequency and severity of the attack varies from time to time. Clinical and laboratory investigations revealed a normal bowel and other health parameters. But during an attack the patient feels bloated abdomen with distension, which may lead to projectile vomiting and unable to take food orally. An erect x-ray film of abdomen shows typical multiple fluid levels indicating intestinal obstruction. Naso gastric aspiration, IV fluids and sedation with an anti emetic will usually relives the problem in a day or two and the patient goes back normally and will be absolutely normal till the next attack happens. The patient feels it a big nuisance for him and is looking for any preventive or treatment remedies available to tackle this problem from happening frequently. Dr.S.Gopalakrishnan.MD,DPH

Answer: Diseases that affect muscles and nerves, such as lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or Parkinson's disease, can cause symptoms. When a disease causes the symptoms, the condition is called secondary intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Medications that affect muscles and nerves such as opiates and antidepressants might also cause secondary pseudo-obstruction. Good luck!

Question: has anyone heard of chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction?

Answer: " Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare disorder of gastrointestinal motility where coordinated contractions (peristalsis) in the intestinal tract become altered and inefficient. When this happens, nutritional requirements cannot be adequately met. "Motility" is the term used to describe the contraction of muscles in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To facilitate normal digestion and the absorption of nutrients, food content is propelled through the GI tract by synchronized or coordinated contractions in a process called "peristalsis." Peristalsis is dependent upon the coordination between the muscles, nerves, and hormones in the digestive tract. In CIP the intestines react as if there is a true mechanical obstruction or blockage. However, when tests are performed, no physical evidence of blockage is found. There is no unique sign or symptom that allows a positive diagnosis of the pseudo-obstruction. " there is more information in that link, too.

Question: Have you ever come across a baby with chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction who eats normally? During my daughters well periods she eats very well and gains weight, then she will have a bad period, start blocking up, stop pooig by herself and lose weight and appetite. She is usually admitted to hospital vomitting bile and put on a drip. If she continues to have dips they said she will have to have an illieostomy. Would you say this is the best course of action? We are about to start a bowel cleanse regime, using gut friendly antibiotics which sit in the bowel rather than being absorbed.Could it be malabsorbtion? That doesnt solve the blockages though does it. Shes had 2 biopsies, an edoscopy and laperotomy (sp!?), been tested for milk or lactose intolerace, and they all drew blanks. Meds: Senokot, movicol, suppositories, enemas, rectal washouts and soon the new anti-bi's. Any help would be greatly appreciated hello thankyou for your input. they took bowel biopsies to rule out a nerve disorder. they saw nerve staining so ruled out hirschsprungs. after what you said im going to mention about diabeties at her next check, thanks x

Answer: Probiotics seems like a good place to start to me, I've known adults with that set of symptoms stemmed from having lost needed intestinal flora due to heavy antibiotic use. Even if they have her on digestive tract friendly antibiotics, a diet rich in things like yogurt at the same time might be worth considering. I'm assuming they'd checked her for nervous disorders, it's possible I suppose the nerves in the bowel aren't sending the signals to contract on their own. If not, that might be important to look into at this point. I know this sounds obvious, but is she dehydrated at all along with the more obvious symptoms? I mean, if she were diabetic say, and the doctors never tested her a1c levels and missed it, one of the side effects would be dehydration and constipation. I'm sorry, those are my first thoughts.

Question: Where can I find an online community related to my daughters condition? My daughter has Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction Help me find other people with children of the same condition Forums please.

Answer: You touch a favorite subject of mine. Forums come from ordinary people; put a face to the disease and make the disease much more....... human. I found a lot of links and listed them all below: http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/index.php… http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/forumdi… http://www.drugs.com/forum/ http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/ http://www.medhelp.org/forums/gastro/mes… http://www.medhelp.org/forums.htm http://www.medhelp.org/forums.htm#D2P http://www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/Inte… http://www.medhelp.org/forums.htm http://www.oley.org/lifeline/95-029.html http://www.oley.org/lifeline/95-008.html http://www.cureresearch.com/medical/fals… http://forums.wrongdiagnosis.com/ Hope they help.

Question: has anyone heard of this disease? Intestinal pseudo obstruction It's what my doctors think i have. I have periods where i cant have a bowel movement without supplements, and my stomach gets so distended i can't see my feet, and the abdominal and back pain is crazy! i also have gastropaeresis, which is often related to pseudo. im 14, female. I'm looking for someone who has it, or knows anyone who suffers from it, because im a bit worried :| symptoms, risks, affects or whatver information you have on it would help thankss!

Answer: Try these two: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intestinal_… http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases… Sorry, I am most certainly not an expert, but I hope it helped...(And I hope you feel better soon)

Question: Why do people come to the United States for health care? When they have the rest of the world to choose from? Visitors seeking U.S. health care fret over work By Ramit Plushnick-Masti, Associated Press GIBSONIA, Pa. — A bright girl with dark curls crowning her face, Matisse Reid has been sick all her life with a rare disorder that prevents her body from absorbing nutrients. She nibbles on beet salad for lunch, but Matisse's real meal — fats, nutrients and fluids — come from an intravenous line running from her backpack to a vein in her stomach. After six years of IV feedings, the pressure on her liver is becoming life-threatening and she is running out of usable veins. Often, she is doubled over with chronic pain and vomiting. After months of fundraising in their native New Zealand, Wayne and Jodee Reid, Matisse's parents, packed up their family of six and traveled 8,500 miles to Pittsburgh for a multi-organ transplant that could save their 6-year-old daughter's life. As they wait for a stomach, bowel and pancreas to become available, the Reids must draw from $260,000 they raised, money they are counting on to carry them through the years it will take Matisse to recover from her operation. Like other foreign families in the United States to obtain lifesaving medical care, the Reids are here on tourist visas, which do not allow them to find jobs. Families say that makes it more difficult to sustain themselves on the long journey of saving their children's lives, adding to their anxiety. "At the end of the day, we're just parents trying to do what's best for their children," Jodee said as Matisse, who is often in pain, played upstairs in the home they rent in this Pittsburgh suburb. The Reids arrived in Pittsburgh in January, expecting to spend about three years here for Matisse's operation and long recovery. But with the wait for the transplants expecting to take eight months to a year, they now realize they may have to stay closer to five years — and it's unclear whether the money they raised will be enough. If they spend only $60,000 annually — a tight stretch for a family of six — the money will run out in about four years. Often, coming to the United States is the only choice for families seeking complicated transplants, leaving people who have always worked dependent on charitable people and organizations. On rare occasions, they are forced to return home. "There's no provision whatsoever, even for humanitarian grounds, to allow these people to work," said Bruce Larson, director of the international personnel office at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., which treated about 8,000 foreigners last year at its hospitals, including several hundred children. The federal government does not track how many of the millions of people who come here on tourist visas are seeking medical care. Working with the Mayo Clinic and St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said he plans to sponsor a bill that would grant work permits to parents of children who need more than six months of medical care. But it could get hung up in the bitter debate over immigration reform. Cohen wants to attach his bill to the broader reform legislation, which collapsed in the Senate in June. "I should hope it would have support. It's logical, it's humane," Cohen said. "I can't imagine anyone thinking this would be a security risk. It's just a humanitarian issue." Matisse was born on Christmas Day 2000 with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, a disorder in which the small or large intestines lose their ability to contract and push food, stool and air through the gastrointestinal tract. It affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States and is most common in children and the elderly. The cause is unknown but symptoms include severe bowel problems — from vomiting and diarrhea to chronic pain. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, where Matisse is awaiting the triple transplant, treats fewer than 30 international patients a year. Years of lobbying convinced the New Zealand government to cover the $1.4 million cost of Matisse's planned transplants. Independently, the Reids also raised nearly $260,000 in donations to sustain Matisse and her three siblings — Rachel, 15, Kalani, 9 and Fraanz, 2 — during the years it will take Matisse to recover. "It's only the highly motivated or those with some resources to raise money to come to another country, whether it's England, France or the United States, can come," said Dr. George Mazariegos, director of pediatric transplants at Children's Hospital. "Right now the care is very disproportional to the need." Intestinal transplants have been done only about 1,300 times since 1989, nearly all in the United States, Mazariegos said. A study by a group of doctors in Columbus, Ohio, found that of eight children who underwent such transplants, two died a short while later. Of those who survived, the study found their lifestyles were significantly improved and at least three had normal bowel movements within 18 months. For the hundreds of foreigners who come to America every year seeking medical care, the issue of finances is ever present. Sometimes, medical care can take years, putting families in a financial bind. According to immigration attorneys, there are two alternatives for foreigners to receive work permits, and both are rarely effective. A family can open a small business. However, to ensure the business is viable they must invest at least $100,000. In this case, the owners of the business would have their visa status changed and they would get working papers. Getting hired by a research institute, such as a university, can also provide a work visa. However, there are just a few thousand such visas issued annually and they normally expire within days of the lottery. Non-profit research institutes, such as hospitals, do have an unlimited number of work visas that they can issue annually and a foreigner hired by such an institution could get working papers as well. Wayne Reid is a carpenter by trade and desperately wants to work — to keep busy and earn money for the family. He said he was offered under-the-table odd jobs but he refuses to do anything that might jeopardize his daughter's treatment.

Answer: Because we have the best system in the world.

Question: has anyone heard of this, or have it? help pleaseee!? Intestinal pseudo obstruction It's what my doctors think i have. I have periods where i cant have a bowel movement without supplements, and my stomach gets so distended i can't see my feet, and the abdominal and back pain is crazy! i also have gastropaeresis, which is often related to pseudo. im 14, female. I'm looking for someone who has it, or knows anyone who suffers from it, because im a bit worried :| symptoms, risks, affects or whatver information you have on it would help thankss!

Answer: Hello, Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare condition with symptoms like those caused by a bowel obstruction, or blockage. But when the intestines are examined, no blockage is found. Instead, the symptoms are due to nerve or muscle problems that affect the movement of food, fluid, and air through the intestines Hope this info and link help you, good luck

Question: I need some fundraising ideas... he still needs $70,000!? Alex was born in December, 1988. He spent the first week of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. After many tests and procedures he was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder, requiring catherization around the clock for the first 2 ½ years of his life. He continued to have problems and it was apparent that his intestinal motility was not normal. He was properly diagnosed at 3 years of age with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. At that time he required his first central line, which was surgically placed into the main artery in his chest. This was done to give him Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) to intravenously sustain his nutrition, calories, and fat to survive. His digestive system could not tolerate and absorb the food he ate by mouth. Alex had a total of 5 central lines placed in his chest from 1991 to 2001. In July of 2001, Alex saw a new doctor, Dr. Colin Rudolph, in Milwaukee at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Alex was in such poor health and had major central line access site issues. He was literally wasting away. In August of 2001, at Dr Rudolph’s suggestion, Alex had a jejunostomy tube (J-tube) placed in his jejunum for nocturnal formula feeds and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placed in his stomach for drainage. This worked well for Alex, it was a more natural way for his body to digest the formula, and much easier on his liver than the TPN. He was able to maintain his nutrition with just his J tubes and was thrilled to get rid of his central line. This new feeding procedure gave Alex a more normal life as a teenager. Despite his health issues, and frequent absences from school, Alex was able to play on the Glenn Westlake Middle School 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams. He also made the honor roll. In high school at Glenbard East, he took advanced classes, and continued to play volleyball. During Alex’s junior year the Varsity team took 3rd in the Illinois State Finals, and Alex was an intricate part of the team. Alex graduated from Glenbard East High School in 2007. Currently, he’s a part-time student at the College of DuPage. His career goal is to become a Pharmacist. Over the past 7 years Alex’s health has been complicated with many procedures and surgeries as a result of adhesions and large bowel volvuli. He’s had approximately 80% of his bowel removed, and was eventually required to have an ileostomy placed in July of 2007. His intestinal motility has worsened and he now requires a groin central line for TPN nutrition. Alex is only able to tolerate limited amounts of oral food at this time. Through out his life, Alex has had over 17 major surgeries, and way too many hospital stays to count. If not for Dr. Rudolph, and Alex’s team of doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, he would not be here today. It was Dr. Rudolph who referred Alex and his family to Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, in November of 2007, for an evaluation of a small bowel transplant. The recommendation was that Alex would benefit from an intestinal transplant. His intestinal failure is irreversible and his central line access sites are extremely limited. Alex is as active as his body will allow him to be. He deals with what life has dealt him with determination, perseverance, and with what seems like an unending supply of inner strength. When asked about his life, Alex says: “It hasn’t always been easy but, I wouldn’t change a thing. This has made me who I am today.� http://www.cotaforalexp.com/node/46 Alex needs a small bowel transplant that will cost around $500,000!! He has insurance but they dropped him because he used it all from previous surguries. Before the doctors will even touch him he has to pay $100,000 cash. He only has $30,000 so far and still needs $70,000.

Answer: •Babysitting •mowing lawns •raking leaves •weed control •planting flowers/plants •shoveling snow •taking kids off the bus when their parents were home •getting paid for doing chores •cleaning other peoples houses •washing/drying/waxing/vacuuming cars •washing and drying dogs/cats or any other pets •baby-sitting pets when people can't bring dogs •walking people's pets •helping people clean up their attic/basement/garage •help people make websites or fix computer problems •type up papers on the computer •make cooked meals/cookies/cakes for people •paint peoples houses/walls •deliver newspapers •run errands for neighbors •help younger kids or adults with music/foreign language/math/science/social studies/etc. •take pictures of pets or kids for a holiday present.

Question: Fundraising ideas... he still needs $70,000? Alex was born in December, 1988. He spent the first week of his life in the neonatal intensive care unit at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago. After many tests and procedures he was diagnosed with a neurogenic bladder, requiring catherization around the clock for the first 2 ½ years of his life. He continued to have problems and it was apparent that his intestinal motility was not normal. He was properly diagnosed at 3 years of age with chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. At that time he required his first central line, which was surgically placed into the main artery in his chest. This was done to give him Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) to intravenously sustain his nutrition, calories, and fat to survive. His digestive system could not tolerate and absorb the food he ate by mouth. Alex had a total of 5 central lines placed in his chest from 1991 to 2001. In July of 2001, Alex saw a new doctor, Dr. Colin Rudolph, in Milwaukee at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Alex was in such poor health and had major central line access site issues. He was literally wasting away. In August of 2001, at Dr Rudolph’s suggestion, Alex had a jejunostomy tube (J-tube) placed in his jejunum for nocturnal formula feeds and a gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placed in his stomach for drainage. This worked well for Alex, it was a more natural way for his body to digest the formula, and much easier on his liver than the TPN. He was able to maintain his nutrition with just his J tubes and was thrilled to get rid of his central line. This new feeding procedure gave Alex a more normal life as a teenager. Despite his health issues, and frequent absences from school, Alex was able to play on the Glenn Westlake Middle School 7th and 8th grade volleyball teams. He also made the honor roll. In high school at Glenbard East, he took advanced classes, and continued to play volleyball. During Alex’s junior year the Varsity team took 3rd in the Illinois State Finals, and Alex was an intricate part of the team. Alex graduated from Glenbard East High School in 2007. Currently, he’s a part-time student at the College of DuPage. His career goal is to become a Pharmacist. Over the past 7 years Alex’s health has been complicated with many procedures and surgeries as a result of adhesions and large bowel volvuli. He’s had approximately 80% of his bowel removed, and was eventually required to have an ileostomy placed in July of 2007. His intestinal motility has worsened and he now requires a groin central line for TPN nutrition. Alex is only able to tolerate limited amounts of oral food at this time. Through out his life, Alex has had over 17 major surgeries, and way too many hospital stays to count. If not for Dr. Rudolph, and Alex’s team of doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, he would not be here today. It was Dr. Rudolph who referred Alex and his family to Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, in November of 2007, for an evaluation of a small bowel transplant. The recommendation was that Alex would benefit from an intestinal transplant. His intestinal failure is irreversible and his central line access sites are extremely limited. Alex is as active as his body will allow him to be. He deals with what life has dealt him with determination, perseverance, and with what seems like an unending supply of inner strength. When asked about his life, Alex says: “It hasn’t always been easy but, I wouldn’t change a thing. This has made me who I am today.� Alex needs a small bowel transplant that will cost around $500,000!! He has insurance but they dropped him because he used it all from previous surguries. Before the doctors will even touch him he has to pay $100,000 cash. He only has $30,000 so far and still needs $70,000.

Answer: A lot of hospitals and health groupd have referrals to generate fundraisers, etc... go to a local gym and try to pair up with a walk group etc... it will be a ton of bake sales before you hit that amount :(