Colon stricture in Crohn's disease

[Steno]

I've been found a sigmoid stricture in my last colonscopy after 15+years of CD localized in my colon and suggested a colectomy. Does anybody have any advise? Do you know of alternative options?

 

[JudithC]

Hi Steno. I also have a stricture which was found when I was first diagnosed 2 years ago. Dr. has yet to recommend surgery. I'm on meds of course. Think you need to do a lot of research unless of course you MUST do the surgery.

 

[Steno]

Thanks Judy. Is your stricture in the sigmoid sa well? I'm ok right now after taking cortisone, although the stricture is still there. I've been on Aza for 3 years, but apparently it didn't work out for me.

 

[JudithC]

Yes, stricture is in same area Steng. I've been on Remicade for a year and now it doesn't seem to be helping me much either.

 

[JudithC]

*Steno

 

[Steno]

Hi Judith. In my case it was not possible to go beyond the stricture with the colonscopy. How about you? I think dr. is concerned about not being able to follow what's going on in the rest of my colon (I mean apart from rectum and part of sigmoid).

 

[rollinstone]

Have you thought of strictureplasty?

 

[Steno]

Thanks for your suggestion. I'm looking into that, but it seems more used for the small bowel.

 

[JudithC]

Hi Steno. I had to have a 2nd colonoscopy under general anesthesia, too painful to do it otherwise. Complicating the colonoscopy is that I have a tortuous colon, and scar tissue. No polyps though. I have no idea if GI who did the colonoscopy ever got past the stricture.