- Joined
- Jun 12, 2015
- Messages
- 17
I am a new member and I just find this section on "Strictures & Obstructions" in Crohn's Forum.
I have Crohn's for over 30 years and I tried all kinds of medications. I had a few small bowel resections and also surgery to remove fistula abscess. I am currently taking Imuran, but will be taking Humira soon. My Crohn's has been less active in the past 10 years, my bowel movement is once a day. However, I developed several strictures and some ulcerations in my small bowel which occasionally caused temporary bowel obstruction. My GI doctors advised me to Humira in addition to Imuran to control ulceration in the small bowel thus reduce the chance of obstruction. Also, I had a procedure called strictureplasty to enlarge these constrictions. However, due to abundant scar tissues from previous surgeries and ulceration, there was only one stricture that was enlarged while the other strictures need to be dilated as required. Since surgery is not an option, my present treatment is primary based on medication (Humira & Imuran), small bowel dilation as required (may be once a year) and low fibre diet. I am interested to share with other patients in coping with IBD especially dealing with strictures and small bowel obstruction, thanks.
PS - I would like to know if anyone who is using biologic treatment like Humira to deal with strictures even if Crohn's is not so active or causing inflammation and abdominal pain. I have tried using Imuran but it doesn't control ulceration in my small bowel which can cause narrowing or constriction. Also, are there other treatments that can be used to deal with strictures besides low fibre diet, dilation and perhaps some other type of medication. Finally, I learnt that some patients claimed they used Humira and this medication lost effectiveness after several years.
I have Crohn's for over 30 years and I tried all kinds of medications. I had a few small bowel resections and also surgery to remove fistula abscess. I am currently taking Imuran, but will be taking Humira soon. My Crohn's has been less active in the past 10 years, my bowel movement is once a day. However, I developed several strictures and some ulcerations in my small bowel which occasionally caused temporary bowel obstruction. My GI doctors advised me to Humira in addition to Imuran to control ulceration in the small bowel thus reduce the chance of obstruction. Also, I had a procedure called strictureplasty to enlarge these constrictions. However, due to abundant scar tissues from previous surgeries and ulceration, there was only one stricture that was enlarged while the other strictures need to be dilated as required. Since surgery is not an option, my present treatment is primary based on medication (Humira & Imuran), small bowel dilation as required (may be once a year) and low fibre diet. I am interested to share with other patients in coping with IBD especially dealing with strictures and small bowel obstruction, thanks.
PS - I would like to know if anyone who is using biologic treatment like Humira to deal with strictures even if Crohn's is not so active or causing inflammation and abdominal pain. I have tried using Imuran but it doesn't control ulceration in my small bowel which can cause narrowing or constriction. Also, are there other treatments that can be used to deal with strictures besides low fibre diet, dilation and perhaps some other type of medication. Finally, I learnt that some patients claimed they used Humira and this medication lost effectiveness after several years.
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