Endoscopic Balloon Dilatation

[Johnatron]

So I am having my fourth colonoscopy next Monday and this time they will be performing a balloon dilatation to ease a stricture. I'm currently experiencing some bowel discomfort, however it was much worse a few months ago and has eased a little since.

I just wondered if anyone has had this procedure before and what outcome did you have? Was this procedure effective for you?

 

[shamrock15]

I have had it in two different locations. In my descending colon, this was an ineffective procedure for me. However, I have had it a few times in my rectum and it has provided significant relief for me there.

I too have strictures as a feature of my disease. Are you on any sort of maintenance medication for it?

 

[Johnatron]

I am currently taking 150 mg of Azathioprine daily, and have 8 weekly Infliximab infusions. Despite these medications my symptoms remain which is why my doctor has suggested the balloon dilatation before looking at the surgery route.

I'm glad you felt relief with at least one of your procedures. Strictures are a nasty complication to endure.

 

[shamrock15]

Was your stricture pre-existing? Remicade and imuran won't reduce these, but will prevent further ones from forming and they have done wonderfully in my case. I agree with you about strictures. They were the bane of my existence until remicade started. Every surgery I had (with the exception of putting on an ostomy and then later removing it) had a minimum of at least one strictureplasty.

I think it is well worth exploring the dilatation. If it works for you, you may not have anything else to worry about. That combination has given me relief from crohn's after 25 years of difficulty.

 

[Johnatron]

Just thought I would update everyone. Not long home from the colonoscopy. Balloon dilatation was successful and I did indeed have an anastomotic stricture the size of a pin prick. It has been widened and hopefully I will no longer have the agonising pains for a good while

 

[worriedboy]

Good news !
BTW - for me it took 3 times to get to a reasonable diameter... I hope 1 time eill be enough for you ! Buti f not - be patient - sometimes extra dialation(s) needed to get good results and relief.

Feel Well

 

[Johnatron]

Thanks worriedboy, I'll make sure to keep everyone updated

 

[Momoftwo]

How long does this last?

 

[Silke]

My husband has had about 3 of them and they usually last for him for a year to 18 months.

 

[Momoftwo]

Is 3mm opening something that can be dealt with for at least three weeks as long as no pain? Just waiting to get in with new GI if we have to go this way. I'm asking for daughter 18.

 

[Silke]

My husbands stricture was apparently a pinhole when he had his first dilation and heavens knows how long he had been digesting food thru that pinhole but he had. It is only liquid at that stage though (terminal illium) But I would think that, like you say, as long as no pain it would be ok to wait. He suspects at times it has closed over and they are the times he has gone to hospital in bad pain and they have hit it quick and hard with high doses of cortisone then quickly weaned him off. It has been a few years since that has happened though so we think the dilations are helping.