I've lived with Crohn's for almost 25 years. I've been very fortunate in the sense that I have not yet required any surgery. However, at my last c-scope, my GI told me I had a stricture in the terminal ileum. Balloon dilatation will be tried at the end of October. Up until my scope, I had no symptoms and was feeling quite "normal". However, approximately a week after the scope I developed sudden (and I mean sudden), non-stop diarrhea for about two weeks. I've lost ten pounds being unable to keep anything in. As quickly as it came, it subsided for two weeks. Then, again, no warning, just diarrhea. This time much more serious as I noticed there was always blood in my stool. I could understand the blood as I was going no less than 25-30 times a day. As this continued, I developed a disabling lower back pain (almost spasms). My doctor ordered stool samples which showed possible salmonella poisoning. GREAT! This episode lasted four weeks and once again disappeared. Today, after being one week of almost constipated, the diarrhea is back with a vengeance and so is the wonderful back pain. I am getting very worried about this and have so many questions but my #1 question is ...can the stricture be causing the back pain. I know it sounds odd that I would ask that one question but right now (although the diarrhea is making my daily life a living hell) my back pain is really scaring me. Any input would be appreciated.
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New stricture diagnosis
- Thread starter kimeric
- Start date
Sorry you're having to deal with so much all of a sudden! 
I'm not sure if a stricture could cause back pain but is it possible that there is inflammation present in your small bowel? A scope can only reach a small distance into your small bowel, ie your terminal ileum, so it may be that there is inflammation further into your small bowel that wasn't seen by the scope. I'm mentioning this because a possible early symptom of my son's crohns was back pain, mostly lower but sometimes moving up to his shoulder blades.
As his back pain began months before any other crohns symptoms, we assumed it was due to a hockey injury and his GP recommended ibuprofens. (Please do not take ibuprofens or other nsaids as they can have a negative impact on the intestinal system.) Upon dx, my son's GI couldn't determine if it was my son's use of ibuprofens that triggered his crohns or if the back pain had been referred pain from crohns' inflammation. Oddly enough, once he went into clinical remission (no outward signs but MREs continued to show inflammation), his back pain also disappeared.
My son found Tiger Balm ointment was a great help! However, be careful not to use it after a bath/shower as it can be absorbed into your 'open' pores and will very much irritate your skin (ie burning sensation). My son also used voltaren, an (nsaid) anti-inflammatory ointment - however, my son's GI advised him to use it only sparingly because of the nsaids.
Hope this helps a bit and that you're feeling better soon.
I'm not sure if a stricture could cause back pain but is it possible that there is inflammation present in your small bowel? A scope can only reach a small distance into your small bowel, ie your terminal ileum, so it may be that there is inflammation further into your small bowel that wasn't seen by the scope. I'm mentioning this because a possible early symptom of my son's crohns was back pain, mostly lower but sometimes moving up to his shoulder blades. As his back pain began months before any other crohns symptoms, we assumed it was due to a hockey injury and his GP recommended ibuprofens. (Please do not take ibuprofens or other nsaids as they can have a negative impact on the intestinal system.) Upon dx, my son's GI couldn't determine if it was my son's use of ibuprofens that triggered his crohns or if the back pain had been referred pain from crohns' inflammation. Oddly enough, once he went into clinical remission (no outward signs but MREs continued to show inflammation), his back pain also disappeared.
My son found Tiger Balm ointment was a great help! However, be careful not to use it after a bath/shower as it can be absorbed into your 'open' pores and will very much irritate your skin (ie burning sensation). My son also used voltaren, an (nsaid) anti-inflammatory ointment - however, my son's GI advised him to use it only sparingly because of the nsaids.
Hope this helps a bit and that you're feeling better soon.