Severe Constipation after Balloon Dilation

[erin_j78]

I have been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease for 5 years now. I am on 6 mp. I recently had a balloon dilation (about 4 weeks ago) in my terminal ileum due to scar tissue blockage. I felt great after – I was having regular bowel movement – almost every day which is rare for me. Constipation has always been my biggest problem with Crohn’s – followed by diarrhea.

Now 4 weeks later – I am constipated again! The past 2 weeks I have had 1 full bowel movement. Anyone have experience with the dilation? I have an appointment with my doctor for a follow up 9/3 but I am concerned that it may have closed up ALREADY!
Please can anyone help me?

 

[Guest]

i've never had that kind of procedure Erin, so i'm useless at giving any advice on this.

is there any way you can bring the appointment forward?

good luck - i hope it hasn't failed already!!

 

[Jeff D.]

Yes I had that procedure done a few months ago. It works great for a two to three week period and then it fades away. I have to dilate myself now. When ever my stool narrows to a certain point and I have to push to get it out then I dilate myself and it helps a lot. Get some lidocaine ointment and some rubber gloves. First take a soak, nice hot and long, then while in the bathtub apply some ointment to your rectum, it's in a prep H style cap, then bend over put on the gloves and apply some ointment to your finger. Put your finger up into the nether region and do small circles until you feel things loosen up a little. Now run to the toilet as most likely you will have to go immediately.

Also, welcome to the forum. You need to get a prescription for lidocain and it was $500 dollars for the several boxes if you don't have insurance but it's the only thing that works for me. Otherwise I would be in the GI office every few weeks. You may experience a little rectal bleeding and some discomfort afterwards but it's not too bad.

 

[Creepy Lurker]

Yes I had that procedure done a few months ago. It works great for a two to three week period and then it fades away. I have to dilate myself now. When ever my stool narrows to a certain point and I have to push to get it out then I dilate myself and it helps a lot. Get some lidocaine ointment and some rubber gloves. First take a soak, nice hot and long, then while in the bathtub apply some ointment to your rectum, it's in a prep H style cap, then bend over put on the gloves and apply some ointment to your finger. Put your finger up into the nether region and do small circles until you feel things loosen up a little. Now run to the toilet as most likely you will have to go immediately.

Also, welcome to the forum. You need to get a prescription for lidocain and it was $500 dollars for the several boxes if you don't have insurance but it's the only thing that works for me. Otherwise I would be in the GI office every few weeks. You may experience a little rectal bleeding and some discomfort afterwards but it's not too bad.

I'd be impressed if he can reach his terminal ilium.

 

[Jeff D.]

Oh crap, never mind then. I'm in my own little world.lol

 

[Guest]

lol

 

[erin_j78]

I was gonna say! Well I don't think many people have had the dilation or something? Not many have experience with it...hmmmm.