Is this a stricture

[rjh18]

Last colonoscopy 3 years ago I was told there was a narrowing of my upper colon. Recently I started having urgent diarrhea so I went to my doc who first prescribed cipro which didn't do anything. He then prescribed entocort. Diarrhea stopped. However I did experience some mild intermittent abdominal pain. This was followed by a feeling of bloating and distension as well as excessive flatulence and constipation. I have passed one tiny stool in the last four days. Does this sound like a stricture? If so can a stricture be reversed without surgery or is surgery the only way to correct it? Tks.

RJ

 

[nogutsnoglory]

It certainly could be but a colonoscooy or imaging test is necessary to be certain.

If you are inflamed and that's causing a stricture it can be resolved through medications hopefully. If it's scarred than surgery is the only option. For strictures there is sometimes the option of strictureplasty which is a surgery to keep the intestine and not resect it. It is usually laparoscopic and recovery is easier and bowel sparing is preferred.

 

[Daisy123]

Sounds awful familiar to me. Nogutsnoglory is right, you need to have a scan and/colonoscopy. In the meantime, I would recommend going on a low residue diet to prevent possible obstructions. If it is inflammation, then getting the crohns into remission is key. It is is narrowed then balloon dilation is worth considering. You need to make an appointment to see your GI

 

[rjh18]

Can bowel resection surgery be done laparscopically? What are the pluses and minuses to have it done this way?

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Yes many resections can be done lap. It's easier to recover, leas scarring. I dont see any downside if it's an option. Depends on the surgeon and what is being resect.

 

[RosieM]

Sorry to know you are/ were having a tough time. I'm in the hospital right now and have been for 1 week. I have the same issue as you. They have taken a cat scan and some xrays, blood work, etc. I'm on iv meds as well. I have not had a bm for over a week now. Here's my biggest frustration...everyday the doctors visit me and ask the same questions...and I give the same answers. Then they say to give it "one more day - if you still don't have a bm we will need to have the surgery which may end up to be an "exploratory surgery". Of course I don't want surgery but I also want to escape the circles I'm running around - get out of this bed- and start living again! Does anyone get this?