What are Strictures and Obstructions>?

[n00b]

I have quick question.

I am still learning about my crohns and feel I have the measure of it however I am still unsure about a few things.
I had a resection last summer (self decided that’s want I wanted to do to give me some relief) and had about 3 months crohns free bliss then it came back . All the docs said how uncommon it is to come back so quickly but hey hoo..thats me, always bucking the trend- its just a gift I suppose!

Anyway, my question is regarding obstructions, full and partial. How do you know if you have one?
What do they feel like? What can I do to keep an eye open so I can catch them early?
Also what is a stricture?


I started Aza 3 weeks ago (50mg) and all bloods OK so far however I have noticed no change whatever apart from a few aches and pains. Is this normal and what should I expect from the Aza and how long do I give it?

 

[shamrock15]

Strictures are narrowings in your bowels due to a build up of fibrous tissue. I have one of these currently in my rectum that needs periodic dilatation or it will completely close on me. Partial obstructions occur when inflammation or stricture cause a narrowing in your bowel that impedes the normal flow of materials. This can be quite painful, and if it moves to a complete obstruction, can be quite dangerous. Strictures don't really respond to medication. Check with your doctor to see if you are labelled as having a stricturing form of crohn's. I have it. Like you, I have had symptoms come back quickly after surgery. Remicade can help keep strictures from starting, but can't help them once they are there. Aza can take a couple months to kick in fully, and it has been useful for me in taking care of the last few issues that remicade could not. Hope this helps a little...

 

[SarahBear]

This thread, What does an intestinal blockage or obstruction feel like Support Group, might help you get an idea of how to tell if you may have an obstruction.

 

[n00b]

Ok thanks

So an obstruction is basically blocked food that builds up in the GI tract?
Hence the vomitting/pain ect.

I had a colonoscopy the other day to confirm my reoccurance of Crohns.

They had a good look around and did not mention anything so I am assuming all is OK??

 

[SarahBear]

Basically, it's a narrowing either caused by structuring or inflammation that blocks off the GI tract and causes the food to back up. I assume they would tell you if they found any significant narrowing, but it never hurts to ask. Sometimes they say things in a way that doesn't make sense or just don't mention it, for whatever reason.

I hope things are well!