I'm dx with crohn's. The diagnosis came 5 years after a diagnosis of lichen planus in my esophagus.
Short version, I have regular dilations to keep my esophagus open. It's mostly scar tissue, which of course isn't very mobile -the only way to open it is to tear it- so at this point we're trying to maintain the diameter we've achieved.
My primary troubles with the crohn's is fatigue and chronic anemia. I just had iron infusions a month ago, so the fatigue is getting a little better.
I have been fortunate so far to have avoided any surgeries or serious complications. I was kind of hoping it was going to stay that way.
But I've been having abdominal pain and going between D and C, etc. I sent the doc a message and he decided to send me for an MRI.
In the meantime, eating causes pain. I'm always in pain (aren't we all), so I don't even really notice it unless it hits the 5-6 level on my pain schedule.
Does anyone have any experience with esophageal stricture? and does that seem to correspond to a higher risk for GI stricture?
Any ideas on liquid diets? I'll look it up, of course. But if anyone has prior experience I'd be interested to know what worked, what didn't, etc.
What does an intestinal stricture feel like? I think I had it in my head that if things are moving at all, that there's no stricture/obstruction. Like, if something makes it through, there's no need to worry?
I'm on remicade, about my 4th year of it. It seems to keep my blood levels pretty normal. But blood tests aren't always definitive for me. In 2017 my inflammation levels were perfectly normal and I lost 40 lbs in 3 months with no dietary or activity changes. (shrug)
I really like the state of denial. But I'm the primary wage earner in the home and I don't want to let my family down because I'm stubborn. TIA
Short version, I have regular dilations to keep my esophagus open. It's mostly scar tissue, which of course isn't very mobile -the only way to open it is to tear it- so at this point we're trying to maintain the diameter we've achieved.
My primary troubles with the crohn's is fatigue and chronic anemia. I just had iron infusions a month ago, so the fatigue is getting a little better.
I have been fortunate so far to have avoided any surgeries or serious complications. I was kind of hoping it was going to stay that way.
But I've been having abdominal pain and going between D and C, etc. I sent the doc a message and he decided to send me for an MRI.
In the meantime, eating causes pain. I'm always in pain (aren't we all), so I don't even really notice it unless it hits the 5-6 level on my pain schedule.
Does anyone have any experience with esophageal stricture? and does that seem to correspond to a higher risk for GI stricture?
Any ideas on liquid diets? I'll look it up, of course. But if anyone has prior experience I'd be interested to know what worked, what didn't, etc.
What does an intestinal stricture feel like? I think I had it in my head that if things are moving at all, that there's no stricture/obstruction. Like, if something makes it through, there's no need to worry?
I'm on remicade, about my 4th year of it. It seems to keep my blood levels pretty normal. But blood tests aren't always definitive for me. In 2017 my inflammation levels were perfectly normal and I lost 40 lbs in 3 months with no dietary or activity changes. (shrug)
I really like the state of denial. But I'm the primary wage earner in the home and I don't want to let my family down because I'm stubborn. TIA