I have had three operations in the last four years to remove parts of my small intestines (I was diagnosed 6 months before the first surgery). I now have approx 6 feet left. From this I understand that any further operations will have a greater impact on my life. Can we survive without small intestines?
Small Intestines
- Thread starter jandrews
- Start date
Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,231
Yes we can I'm surviving without my large bowel
jandrews,
I believe you are referring to the possibility of short bowel syndrome which can occur when there is only a small amount of functioning small intestine. You can find more information on SBS here http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/shortbowel/,, http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Short-Bowel-Syndrome
by looking at the SBS Foundation on the web. There are treatments for people with SBS.
Susan2 and CheerBear12,
"The small intestine is the most important part of the digestive system. Most people can live without a stomach or large intestine, but it is harder to live without a small intestine. When all or most of the small intestine has to be removed or stops working, nutrients must be put directly into the blood stream (intravenous or IV) in liquid form. These nutrients are called “total parenteral nutrition” or TPN. "
I believe you are referring to the possibility of short bowel syndrome which can occur when there is only a small amount of functioning small intestine. You can find more information on SBS here http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/shortbowel/,, http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Short-Bowel-Syndrome
by looking at the SBS Foundation on the web. There are treatments for people with SBS.
Susan2 and CheerBear12,
"The small intestine is the most important part of the digestive system. Most people can live without a stomach or large intestine, but it is harder to live without a small intestine. When all or most of the small intestine has to be removed or stops working, nutrients must be put directly into the blood stream (intravenous or IV) in liquid form. These nutrients are called “total parenteral nutrition” or TPN. "
Thanks for the links, rather than short bowel, my worry was that it would eventually all have to go because of damage, or would they leave it and switch me over to liquid food, and then if the strictures became so bad that there was no way through, what happens then?
I would think that surgeons would do everything possible not to take more small intestine. Have you spoken to your gi doctor and surgeon about your concerns? What do they say? If you haven't , it might be a good conversation to have.
How are you doing at present?
How are you doing at present?
I'm doing ok at the moment, surgery was in July, and no, I haven't yet discussed it with them, it's been something that has started to niggle after the last surgery, there was some confusion about how much was actually left, much less than the Consultant thought!
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,231
Oh dear not good at all can't you have a small bowel transplant?
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,231
What are they going to do now then? what other options is there?
