What are the long term issues with prolonged inflammation, however mild or severe?

[Keepingfaith]

I'm kind of confused after a recent visit with my Rhuemy. I understand he is not a GI but he told me he doubted I'll ever be in remission & will always have inflammation in my GI, however mild. That got me thinking : Can't complications arise from under treated Crohn's? Prolonged inflammation?

I hate to say my Crohn's is under treated because I'm on some hardcore IBD medications but if it can only be controlled with steroids then it isn't under control. I'm kind of scared about what damage could be done long term or what damage will be done when I'm in remission(I still believe remission is possible regardless of past and current circumstances). Anyone can tell me there story about what prolonged inflammation can cause damage wise?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Adam1971]

While I know very little about the answers to your questions, I can only assume that long term inflammation will result in strictures caused by the scarring.

 

[Keepingfaith]

That's what I was thinking- I know I already have some scar tissue build up & get partial obstructions frequently but I assume once the inflammation gets down there won't be too narrow of a stricture. I have fistulizing Crohn's but I have read you can't have fibrostenosing AND fistulizing Crohn's. Do you know if you can have both?
Thanks already

 

[DustyKat]

Where is your Crohn's located?

My daughter had untreated Crohn's, she was undiagnosed at the time, and her complications became life threatening but that was an extreme case.

Chronic inflammation can potentially lead to scarring and stricturing and thus obstruction, it also will result in malabsorption if you have small bowel disease as scarring does allow for the transfer of nutrients into to blood stream. If you have fistulising disease it may cause perforation and/or abscessing. Long term inflammation also has the potential to cause changes within the bowel, dysplasia's, that can become cancerous.

I would like to give a longer response but I am at work! :eek2: :lol:

Dusty. xxx

 

[Cog]

I believe it is not good - scarring occurs the inflamed area can not function eventually

I also believe that it can be controlled

I also believe everyone is different in what triggers inflamation

In my case I had crohns from the large intestine downwards - I went to see a surgeon to fix a fistula and he evidently needed more business and suggested removing my colon completely. Yes it took some persuasion. He described my colon as a dead shoe.

It actually was in hind sight not so bad a move because it reduced the amount of inflammation in my body and gave my body a better chance to control things.

Yes I still have crohns - it is in remission at the moment - long may it continue

Technically is you rheumy correct - possibly yes

Practically can you control it - my belief is yes

For me

I have a very strict diet

The flavor of the year is ayuverdic herbs + krill oil and ubiquinol

Keep looking for the answer you will find it

 

[Keepingfaith]

Hahahaa it is fine Mrs. Dusty I appreciate it! Yes ma'am I have small bowel disease as well as Crohn's from mouth to stomach and then ileum, whole colon and rectum. I also have perianal disease if that counts as a 'body part'. It seems like every time we get part of me good Crohn's likes to pop up somewhere else.