Since I was diagnosed 7 months ago with Crohn's, it seems that I am feeling worse, not better. Not terribly worse mind you, no rushing to the ER type of thing, just not good at all, and in constant low level pain. Dr. now is giving me a choice of going on to Remicade or to go for surgery to get rid of the 'kink' (stricture)in my colon The more I think about it, the more I believe that Remicade (if it helps) would only delay what might be needed surgery. Does anyone have personal advice on this? Have you been through similar?:sign0085:
Choices / decisions
- Thread starter JudithC
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It would depend on what's causing the stricture, Judy. Do you know how long you've had it for? If it's all mainly inflammation, then it can get better with drugs. Surgery would be needed if it was scar tissue. Depending on how long the stricture is, they can also make it better by stretching it during a colonoscopy if it gets really narrow.
I had some bad strictures in my colon. I was given remicade but it didn't help as well as they were hoping so I got put onto methotrexate which helped with the inflammation and my strictures were a lot better. They were still there though and 7 or 8 years later I decided to have surgery to remove them. There was still inflammation in them that could of been helped with drugs, but because I'd had them for so long, there was scar tissue underneath which would never of fully healed.
Did they speak to you about a low fibre/residue diet? This also helped loads with my crohn's symptoms loads as it makes everything easier to pass through the stricture.
I had some bad strictures in my colon. I was given remicade but it didn't help as well as they were hoping so I got put onto methotrexate which helped with the inflammation and my strictures were a lot better. They were still there though and 7 or 8 years later I decided to have surgery to remove them. There was still inflammation in them that could of been helped with drugs, but because I'd had them for so long, there was scar tissue underneath which would never of fully healed.
Did they speak to you about a low fibre/residue diet? This also helped loads with my crohn's symptoms loads as it makes everything easier to pass through the stricture.
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For me, I would exhaust all drug options before going to surgery. But each person is different. Go with your gut! LOL
HI Misty and Stephanie, thank you so much for your responses. Misty, the strictures are cause by scar tissue, so even if meds helped the inflammation in other areas, the strictures won't go away. I'm happy to hear that meds did help you for a while though, that gives me hope and something to think about. I've done the low residue diet a few times, and am on it again right now (3rd time). Stephanie, I'm not too keen on any type of surgery, on the other hand a 2-3 hour infusion just brings back some bad chemo memories. Hubby wants surgery, thinks it will make it all go away. I keep waiting for something inside there to just 'blow up". Good grief.
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I would personally say then to try meds first as you've not had crohn's for long. I think deep down you'll know when the time is right to have the surgery. Like I said, I managed to get away with not having the surgery for a good number of years and mine were pretty extensive. I managed to finish my degree in this time and get a full time job so my life was pretty normal. Certainly better than before they found and treated my strictures.
I understand where your husband is coming from if you will probably need surgery in the end anyway, but surgery can cause complications and some people go on to get more strictures at the site of the surgery depending on what surgery you have. I'm not saying that's a definate, but it's a possibility. So you may feel like holding off for the surgery option may be worthwhile.
Just make sure you keep an eye on how you feel and how the treatment is helping you
I understand where your husband is coming from if you will probably need surgery in the end anyway, but surgery can cause complications and some people go on to get more strictures at the site of the surgery depending on what surgery you have. I'm not saying that's a definate, but it's a possibility. So you may feel like holding off for the surgery option may be worthwhile.
Just make sure you keep an eye on how you feel and how the treatment is helping you
