Brother-in-law has had severe abdominal pain for 2 years and inhibits ability to eat anything but Ensure, beef broth, and occassional applesauce.  Colostomy done almost 1 year ago helped for a few months. He began to eat a little more and start gaining weight back.  He is 50 years old and was healthy prior to this. Now, he is completely disabled, is again back being able to only eat Ensure and beef broth. He is down to about 100 lbs and is so weak he can barely speak.  No physician yet has had any hope or answers for him.  There has to be something out there. I am hopeful his healthcare providers are not chalking it up to "adult failure to thrive" and allow him to slowly die in constant pain and suffering.  Thank you.
HI. Thanks for your query and an elucidated history. The treatment depends upon the correct diagnosis. I would advise you the following:Blood-Proteins, liver function tests, urea, creatinine, thyroid function tests besides the routine tests. Urine Stool tests. Barium studies are important - per-oral and per colostomy. This will help us to get a diagnosis. If there is a patch of non-functioning intestine, this i to be excised, This is the ray of hope. There has to be reason, find the reason and get treated and operated accordingly. You have to take a second opinion of a Surgical Gastroenterologist. And follow his advice fully. It is possible that a proper correction of the medical and surgical problems simultaneously can help him to get a complete recovery.