Stricture-what can & cant you do

[Grant]

Ok this is my 3rd stricture. But I'd like to know what others think about physical activity. Because whenever I embark on anything that remotely resembles moderate lifting I feel "tight" inside for days afterwards. I'm extremely careful of what I eat but basically @ last colonoscopy (jun 21st) the stricture was measured @ 4-5mm. The other two eventually needed removing but I'm hoping to avoid that obviously.
Really would appreciate any hints or tips for those with strictures & how to keep away from the surgeons.
Rgds
Grant

1st symptoms 1983
Diagnosed 1985
1997 Right Hemicolectomy & Resection
2002 Laperotomy & Resection
2010 Laproscopic Ileocolic Resection
Currently got yet another stricture.

Been on Azathioprine & Pred
Currently on Entocort 6mg every day
Humira 40mg every two weeks
Calcichew
Pentasa 4gm daily
3mthly B12 Jabs

 

[Jennifer]

From what I've read on this forum by people who have/had them is to watch how much and what you eat. Eating smaller meals helps things pass through easier so perhaps smaller meals more frequently throughout the day may help. Also eating foods that you know cause diarrhea can create sort of a bottleneck effect allowing things to back up. Is your stricture inflammation or scar tissue or both? Perhaps your medication could use an adjustment to help with the inflammation. As far as activities go, only thing I can think of is if it hurts or is bothersome, then try to avoid doing it. Sorry I'm not much help in that department.

 

[Grant]

Thanks Crabby, actually I noticed last year after an absolute food binge @ a bbq that a day later I was in A&E. So spot on about large amounts. Scar tissue & inflammation this time. Waiting on results of biopsys before probably going weekly on Humira & possibly Methetrexate.
Rgds
Grant

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Methotrexate helped my strictures loads! Hopefully it does for you too!

I always make sure to eat a low fibre diet. So, no potato skins, no brown or wholemeal bread, limited veggies esp ones with skins or seeds and the same for fruit. I was told that mushrooms are a big no-no too. Apparently they are hardly digested and from experience, they really block me up.

Where abouts is your stricture?

I would also try and get some sort of laxative if you feel yourself getting a little blocked. I wish I'd been told that years ago. I used to leave it unblock naturally and it was awful. Now if I haven't been to the toilet as much as I know I should of, I take some lactulose to stop it getting too bad.

Best of luck!

 

[Grant]

Hi Misty-Eyed, its @ the junction of small/large bowel. My terminal ileum was removed ages ago so can't really use that term anymore. Laxative wise-yes spot on. I use Magnesium Hydroxide which is gentle compared to Lactulose and as you say ultra low fiber diet all the way.
I've refused Methetrexate before but really the time has come that if offered I'm going to take the plunge. Really need to break the cycle of flaring/surgery/recovery/flare.
Rgds
Grant

 

[Misty-Eyed]

Glad you've already got some laxatives and on the low fibre.

Methotrexate isn't so bad. Well, it helped me put off surgery for a good few years. I had to come off it because my liver got damaged, although it's completely recovered now. Just make sure to take the folic acid as directed and keep your alcohol and painkiller intake as low as possible on it. Oh, and to keep having regular blood tests.

 

[Grant]

Misty-Eyed, how did you get on with it (methetrexate) with regards to alcohol & hair loss??
I haven't much hair but have kind of got attached to whats left . Also I enjoy an occasional drink with friends & family. Is it an absolute no no, or because its a low dose could I indulge occasionally.
Be interested to hear your views & experiences.
Rgds
Grant

 

[Misty-Eyed]

With alcohol I was allowed 1 unit of alcohol per a day. I wasn't a regular drinker but on the weekend I just usually had a small glass of wine. Rather than two or three. Saying that, when my liver got a little damaged, I stopped drinking altogether for over a year to let my liver repair itself and now I VERY rarely drink because I'm used to not drinking, I like not having hangovers and I never feel the need to drink! And obviously it's more healthy.

Hair loss wasn't a problem at all. I get a lot of hair loss when my crohn's is bad but I didn't notice any while I was methotrexate.

Also, remember it takes a couple of months for the methotrexate to start working. I started off having mine as a weekly injection and then once it started to work well, I took tablets once a week.

 

[Grant]

Thanks very much for that, gives me some insight into what I can expect.
Rgds
Grant

 

[Misty-Eyed]

No problems. Hope it all goes well for you.