Small bowel narrowing

[crispy]

Hi,

I'm new to this so please bare with me.

I've had CD for 22 years, had panprocoloctemoy 2 years ago because a stricture,
everything been going great until about 2 months ago I had about a fortnight spell when I was a little unwell, abdominal pains, a little bit of loss of appetite. A week before my spell I had my bloods checked due to an incidental small cancer they found after my op which I've been checked every few month. They should haemoglobin slightly down and inflammatory markers a little raised. I was sent for an endoscopy which showed tiny erosions, and an MRI scan which showed 30 cm of narrowing with thicken enhancing wall and small associated mesenteric lymphadenopathy. ( what ever that means). I'm not taking any meds at the moment or since my operation.

My case is been discussed at a meeting between surgeon, gastro doctors, Currently waiting for appointment.

So is it a case of removing the narrowing bowel or can drugs sort it since I'm feeling great again with no problems except the odd twinge down the left hand side.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[valleysangel92]

Hello crispy, welcome to the forum.

The type of treatment available depends very much on the severity and type of stricture . If it is inflammatory and there is no immediate risk of blockages then it may be treatable with a course of steroids to bring down the inflammation followed by immunosuppressives or biologics. If the structure is made up of scar tissue then the only way they can treat it is through surgery.

Have you been told what type of stricture you have?

I would advise you to keep an eye out for any 'warning' symptoms incase you begin to suffer a blockage, these can include -

Nausea
Vomiting
Fever
Constipation with no gas
Sudden or sever abdominal pain
Loss of appetite

If you have any of these symptoms and they are severe or you cannot find relief then it is always best to go get them checked out as a blockage can be serious and needs urgent treatment.

 

[crispy]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm a bit in limbo at the moment, waiting for appointment to discuss what kind of narrowing I have and what my options are. The only information I have is the copy of letter my gastro doc sent to my surgeon and other docs to discuss my case at meeting. I suppose if or when I get an appointment through will give me a clue on what they have decided. If I go to see my surgeon then it's an operation and if it's a gastro then fingers crossed its for meds.