My doctor called a few days ago and has a new plan. Instead of surgery to treat my stricture, she first wants to try a colonoscopy with balloon dilation. Has anyone had this before? Did it work? Is it a permanent fix? Do you feel differently after it than with a regular colonoscopy?
Balloon dilation to treat stricture
- Thread starter BoFin1
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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Hi BoFin1, yes many times. This procedure works for many people, especially when no active crohns is present.
For me sadly although I've had it many times it hasn't worked, but your specialist wouldn't suggest it unless he thought there would be a good chance of it working so good luck with it.
Best Wishes
Grant
For me sadly although I've had it many times it hasn't worked, but your specialist wouldn't suggest it unless he thought there would be a good chance of it working so good luck with it.
Best Wishes
Grant
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Hi - I had a balloon inflation done a couple of weeks ago in an attempt to get further up my bowel than a normal colonoscopy.
It took longer than a standard CP but it was fine - i was dreading it but i would happily have it done again (presuming you have entonox at CP's??)
Sadly it looks like my strictures are mid way along small bowel so not inflatable.
After the CP i had more crampy pain than usual but nothing chronic.
HTH
It took longer than a standard CP but it was fine - i was dreading it but i would happily have it done again (presuming you have entonox at CP's??)
Sadly it looks like my strictures are mid way along small bowel so not inflatable.
After the CP i had more crampy pain than usual but nothing chronic.
HTH
My Crohns is not active right now, so that is good. My stricture starts at the IC valve and includes part of the terminal ileum. The Colonoscopy one year ago showed it was only 2mm wide. I have been lucky in that I have very few symptoms. I can even eat salad everyday. Thanks for the replies.
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Hi,
It depends on the position and length of the structure as to how effective it will be. You need to delay surgery as long as you can in my opinion so good luck. I found no difference to a normal colonoscopy and had no pain or discomfort and returned to normal diet immediately.
It depends on the position and length of the structure as to how effective it will be. You need to delay surgery as long as you can in my opinion so good luck. I found no difference to a normal colonoscopy and had no pain or discomfort and returned to normal diet immediately.
Hi BoFin
Just to echo the other comments really- I have a stricture at my terminal ileum (caused by scarring not active disease)- I had a balloon dilation in December 2011 which was fine (like a regular colonoscopy) and has eased things (no recent nightmarish obstructions) but not solved them completely, I'm still on a low residue diet and get pain but not all the time. At the moment my GI has said I can decide when to have another one. Hope all works out well for you.
Emma
Just to echo the other comments really- I have a stricture at my terminal ileum (caused by scarring not active disease)- I had a balloon dilation in December 2011 which was fine (like a regular colonoscopy) and has eased things (no recent nightmarish obstructions) but not solved them completely, I'm still on a low residue diet and get pain but not all the time. At the moment my GI has said I can decide when to have another one. Hope all works out well for you.
Emma
