Narrowed terminal intestine! Please read.

[Ahmed]

Dilation by colonoscopy with balloons.

Is anyone experienced with dilation by colonoscopy with balloons for terminal intestine for Crohn's disease? Knowing that operation is instead making surgery (terminal intestine resection)?
I have crohn's disease and my GI said that i have narrowed terminal intestine and i have to make a surgery and he tells that he will try to make this dilation before decision to make the surgery My GI hope that it will treat the narrowed area . and if not ,I have to do resection.
Please anyone have experience with any of those operations (Colonoscopy dilation with balloon or narrowed terminal intestine resection)?:smile:

 

[Ahmed]

Please,I need your help my friends.

 

[BEWELL*SWEETIE]

it' seem like they will try expanding the narrowing!

 

[dxw]

I haven't had a dilation but anything that can help with the narrowing is a good thing, especially if you are having symptoms. Good luck

 

[Spooky]

My husband had the resection, they went in with the hopes to expand his terminal ilium, but found out that the intestine was too far gone to do it so they took out 10 inches of the TI and his I C valve was taken too. This procedure was done laproscopically April 20, 2011 and he is still healing but doing pretty good if he eats very little fat.
Good luck to you!

 

[KWud]

Hey Ahmed

I came across your thread while doing a search on balloon dilation. Did you have the procedure? I am scheduled to have this done at the end of the month for the same reasons as you (to delay surgery). I'm interested to know if it worked for you.

Paula
x

 

[carolhew]

KWud, I am having this procedure on the 27th due to a stricture in my terminal ileum and I would like any info or advice too.

 

[KWud]

Hi Carol, mine is on the 27th too!!! Good luck, I hope it works for both of us

Paula
x

 

[Grant]

I've had this procedure many times. Its basically a Colonoscopy & then providing they can get to the terminal ileum & enter it with the scope end they then send a small balloon down the scope & using compressed air dilate it & it widens the stricture. Its not really painful as such, just uncomfortable. This process works for some, for me it doesn't last very long before the stricture closes up again but dont let that put you off. If your Specialist didn't think it would be worth a try he wouldn't be attempting it.
Good luck with it.
Grant

 

[carolhew]

Grant, thank you for the info! KWud, I hope it works too! I wish you good luck too! We will have to compare notes! LOL

 

[KWud]

Thank you Grant Really appreciate the info
Fingers crossed for both of us Carol

Hugs

Paula

 

[Kelly2]

Have any of you read up on a stricturplasty procedure? Its difficult to explain, but for persistant strictures, instead of doing a resection, they cut a horizontal slit in the intestine where the narrowing is, and then sow it up vertically if you know what I mean. Google it for diagrams - it can resolve stubborn strictures and avoid a resection. Just trying to help.

 

[Kelly2]

Hi Suzanpaul,
I just read your post, and wanted to say how sorry I am, and that I hope you have good results tomorrow. Are you in the hospital? Also, wanted to say that you should put your message in a different section - there is one called "my story". That way, more people will be able to read it and offer you advice and guidance. It would help if you mentioned what type of cancer you have and if you ever had crohns or UC.
Kelly

 

[carolhew]

Thanks Kelly2! I have read up on stricturplasty. This is my first stricture, so I believe my GI is being conservative at this point. I understand my stricture is short. Hoping for good results with the balloon dilation!

 

[Kelly2]

I hope all goes well for you! The balloon dilation is a very straight forward procedure and provides immediate relief - after a while it may have to be repeated. There are many patients who have dilations performed on strictures several times a year. Just make sure you do the prep before the procedure.

 

[KWud]

Hey Carol

How did you get on? I hope it went well for you

I had the colonoscopy but not the balloon dilation. The doctor discovered that my stricture is caused purely through inflammation and not scar tissue. It's good news that it can be controlled by medication and surgery has now been pushed onto the back burner but I'm still feeling sh*t and this has been going on for a year now. I think the next step for me is methotrexate, scary stuff!!!

Paula
x

 

[carolhew]

KWud, sorry to hear you are still not feeling well! Glad to hear surgery has been pushed back!

I have good & bad news, they were able to dilate the stricture and I felt relief immediately! Bad news, I still have inflammation, like you and they have put me on pred and are talking biologics, remicade in particular. GI is checking into my insurance coverage!

 

[KWud]

Oh Carol, pleased to hear your good news but not the bad news. Let's hope the new meds get you feeling better soon. Stay in touch & let me know how you get on. Wishing you all the best

Paula
XxxX