Balloon dialation

[rollinstone]

Hey guys, Soz ain't posted in a while, been busy w life n ****, actually been doing good for the most part, enjoying remission, I saw the GI today and he said all my bloods, FCP n everything were as normal as Normal can be, so I asked him why Im still experiencing pains, and he thinks it's likely scar tissue in the ileocaecal valve (which is where I had the most ulceration) so I'm going in for another scope and if that's the case they're gonna do a balloon dialation. My question for you lovely folks is, have you ever had a balloon dialation in the I c valve? How did you go with it, I was told they're pretty successfull and work well for the first few months then you need to do it again. Though any first hand stories would be warmly welcomed. Peace

 

[carolhew]

Hi Joshuua,
I had a balloon dilation in my terminal ileum in January of 2012. My stricture was due to inflammation not scar tissue. It really helped with the pain for several months, but since I have not yet reached remission the pain is back. My last scope in October did not show any strictures. I have no idea why I still have pain. I have a scope and MRE in a couple of weeks and will learn more then!

Bests wishes for a successful dilation!

Carol


Currently taking Humira 40 mg weekly and Azathioprine 150mg daily.

Crohn's Dx June 2011, primarily in the TI some in the colon.

Past meds: Entocort, prednisone and Pentasa.

 

[rollinstone]

Thanks for the response, did your tests reveal inflamation before you went in for a colonoscopy? I'm hoping it's just phantom pain or that maybe its still healing, my bio chemical results show remission, and other than annoying pain Im not showing any symptoms, the Aza has worked fabulously for that... I'm just worried, I really was hoping I didn't have any strictures, guess there's only one way to find out

 

[shamrock15]

I haven't had it at that location - it was the first to go in surgeries for me. I have had rectal balloon dilatations, and they have had success for me. I will unfortunately be getting another one in about a month. In the case of mine, I believe it is an attachment on the end of a colonoscope. When in the right place, they inflate it to essentially break up fibrous tissue and allow things to pass unimpeded. My last dilatation lasted about three years, so you should be able to look forward to some good health for a considerable period afterwards. Good luck!

 

[carolhew]

I had a CT scan that showed the stricture prior to the scope and dilation. The scan was ordered due to the amount of pain I had. My inflammation markers tend to be low in relation to the amount of disease activity seem on scopes, so I tend to ignore them unless they are increased.


Currently taking Humira 40 mg weekly and Azathioprine 150mg daily.

Crohn's Dx June 2011, primarily in the TI some in the colon.

Past meds: Entocort, prednisone and Pentasa.

 

[rollinstone]

Yeh it's weird, my bloods and FCP came back all good, FCP was below 20 which is like 0 intestinal inflamation but I still get a lot of pain, especially if I eat bad (which I usually never do, though I did yesty and had brutal pain) which I don't consider remission, even if the pain is from strictures this fkin disease is such a drag.