1. < Digestive Health

Colonic stricture

Posted by catherine1290 @catherine1290, Sep 7 6:02am

Does anyone else have to deal with a colonic stricture. I had to have balloon dilation to try and open up the colon. It was only a little successful. It is a daily concern and any constipation could result in surgery.

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catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Sep 8 8:13pm
In reply to @paigetaylor "This might not apply to you, and I'm not a medical person, so please keep that..." + (show)
@paigetaylor

This might not apply to you, and I'm not a medical person, so please keep that in mind when reading this. But I'll tell you what is helpful to me. I seem to have an area just under my stomach and to the left where things get stuck. I have found that the following helps: I lie on my left side and just slightly rotate my waist to the right so that it opens up the area where things are stuck. After a moment I feel and hear gurgling, and things start moving. If things get stuck farther down, I take the heel of my hand and gently push downward (toward my lower abdomen) on the upward edge of the problem area, and that seems to get things moving again. This relates to my specific problem, but a massage therapist suggested it to me and it has really helped. Maybe you can figure out where things bog down for you. And a massage therapist may be able to give you good advice.

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Thank you for sharing what works for you. I know because of an MRI that my stricture is 20cm from the anus.

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shelleyW | @shelleyw | Sep 9 9:44pm
In reply to @paigetaylor "This might not apply to you, and I'm not a medical person, so please keep that..." + (show)
@paigetaylor

This might not apply to you, and I'm not a medical person, so please keep that in mind when reading this. But I'll tell you what is helpful to me. I seem to have an area just under my stomach and to the left where things get stuck. I have found that the following helps: I lie on my left side and just slightly rotate my waist to the right so that it opens up the area where things are stuck. After a moment I feel and hear gurgling, and things start moving. If things get stuck farther down, I take the heel of my hand and gently push downward (toward my lower abdomen) on the upward edge of the problem area, and that seems to get things moving again. This relates to my specific problem, but a massage therapist suggested it to me and it has really helped. Maybe you can figure out where things bog down for you. And a massage therapist may be able to give you good advice.

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Kinda sounds like giving birth, with (hopefully) not the pain. But your only reward is 💩💩instead of 😇baby. ShelleyW

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mbiagio | @mbiagio | Sep 19 9:48pm
In reply to @shelleyw "Catherine, I have been with the same PCP, GI for 17 years and YEP, they both..." + (show)
@shelleyw

Catherine, I have been with the same PCP, GI for 17 years and YEP, they both actually just stopped working to help me. They were both tired of me getting worse, I think I just reminded them, that they aren't perfect and they don't have all the answers. I had 3 digital removals, done by, myself. OMG, these hurt so much. Then 3 months after the GI didn't believe two x-rays, 4 weeks apart, the radiologists, n both, said a partial small bowel obstruction was forming. He wanted a CT, 4 weeks to wait. I was so scared of the digital removal, ate as little food as I could. I drank protein meal replacements and lots of water. So, of course the CT showed scant and fluid poop in me...the GI , took the credit, that he was right and I had no problem.... three months later, still using lots of miralax, I was in so much pain/cramping, I really don't remember much, but my hubby called for an ambulance, I passed out when the paramedic was trying to walk me to the ambulance, I was in ER for several hours, while they were deciding to operate or use the nasal gastric tube to decompress the loops in my small intestine. I got the gastric tube, that is so painful, 3 days in ICU, I was able to go home. I don't know what the balloon dilation is, I will look into it. Why did you have one and why can you have only one more? But for now, I am just too scared of solid poop. I have not had any poops, that even resemble normal for 4+- years. Thanx for the info. ShelleyW

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So sorry miss Shelly! I don’t know what’s being recommended…but I do know that what you’re dealing with is so scary. i’ve done everything in my power to avoid a colon resection but I have it scheduled for October 14. I have narrowing and thickening of my sigmoid colon due to diverticulosis, along with some scar tissue from two previous surgeries… I’m 63 and they say better do it now while I am strong and healthy as opposed to 78 years old… age when my coworkers mom just died from a colon structure.

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2 replies
shelleyW | @shelleyw | Sep 19 11:40pm
In reply to @mbiagio "So sorry miss Shelly! I don’t know what’s being recommended…but I do know that what you’re..." + (show)
@mbiagio

So sorry miss Shelly! I don’t know what’s being recommended…but I do know that what you’re dealing with is so scary. i’ve done everything in my power to avoid a colon resection but I have it scheduled for October 14. I have narrowing and thickening of my sigmoid colon due to diverticulosis, along with some scar tissue from two previous surgeries… I’m 63 and they say better do it now while I am strong and healthy as opposed to 78 years old… age when my coworkers mom just died from a colon structure.

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mbiagio,
Yikes 😳 I wish you all the good healthy luck for your surgery and recovery. If you would, please, share as much info about your surgery that you know. Like, what part(s) are being removed; how many inches are they removing; what were your other surgeries for and where were they?
Do I understand this correctly: the diverticulosis started with diverticulitis forming and irritating tiny pockets on the sides of the colon...if the diverticulitis flares up a lot, then the pockets become larger and permanent, causing the colon walls to thicken????? My dad had diverticulosis with bouts of diverticulitis, that came and went.
I should be home from my parathyroid surgery by then. I am traveling to AZ from Northern California for the surgery. I found it extremely difficult to find a specialist surgeon closer to me, but could not get any that are taking new patients. Compared to your surgery, I'm told mine will be a walk in the park. I'm 65, I don't know about you, but I didn't think getting older was going to be this downright painful and exhausting. My mom was a great mom, taught me so much, except that getting older is yucky. She was born with congenital heart problems that she knew nothing about until her first heart attack at age 60. Even after her pacemaker was implanted, she and my dad were still traveling. And I act like I am half dead now. I guess that's what I get for being born to such a smart and strong mom.
Do you have to travel for your surgery? Do you have some helpers that you can count on, for your recovery? I sure hope so. I would loan you the very bestest helper ever, my hubby, but he will be busy taking care of me😇
Best wishes, ShelleyW

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1 reply
helen001 | @helen001 | Sep 20 2:14pm
In reply to @mbiagio "So sorry miss Shelly! I don’t know what’s being recommended…but I do know that what you’re..." + (show)
@mbiagio

So sorry miss Shelly! I don’t know what’s being recommended…but I do know that what you’re dealing with is so scary. i’ve done everything in my power to avoid a colon resection but I have it scheduled for October 14. I have narrowing and thickening of my sigmoid colon due to diverticulosis, along with some scar tissue from two previous surgeries… I’m 63 and they say better do it now while I am strong and healthy as opposed to 78 years old… age when my coworkers mom just died from a colon structure.

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Good luck with the surgery. I wish you all the very best. If your up to it please could you post how it was for you. I've had two different opinions from two different surgeons one saying I need it one saying no! I'm so confused. Take care stay well. Xxx

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2 replies
catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Sep 20 3:33pm
In reply to @helen001 "Good luck with the surgery. I wish you all the very best. If your up to..." + (show)
@helen001

Good luck with the surgery. I wish you all the very best. If your up to it please could you post how it was for you. I've had two different opinions from two different surgeons one saying I need it one saying no! I'm so confused. Take care stay well. Xxx

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I had a balloon dilation done in February. It is performed during a colonoscopy and greatly improved the stricture. Ask your doctor about it!

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1 reply
helen001 | @helen001 | Sep 21 2:47am
In reply to @catherine1290 "I had a balloon dilation done in February. It is performed during a colonoscopy and greatly..." + (show)
@catherine1290

I had a balloon dilation done in February. It is performed during a colonoscopy and greatly improved the stricture. Ask your doctor about it!

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Hi Catherine mine surgeon wants to remove because of the diverticulitis-2 flare ups in 12 month one complicated one just acute. But the other surgeon dosnt believe it's necessary "at this point" 😩 totally confused and don't know anyone who's been through it.

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1 reply
catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Sep 21 7:23am
In reply to @helen001 "Hi Catherine mine surgeon wants to remove because of the diverticulitis-2 flare ups in 12 month..." + (show)
@helen001

Hi Catherine mine surgeon wants to remove because of the diverticulitis-2 flare ups in 12 month one complicated one just acute. But the other surgeon dosnt believe it's necessary "at this point" 😩 totally confused and don't know anyone who's been through it.

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You have a definite issue with making a decision with two surgeons giving opposite recommendations. I'm not sure what to do. If one of them is skilled enough to do this procedure laparascopically then I personally would do it but having already had open abdominal surgery twice I would not look forward to that again. Ask about balloon dilation and medication to ward off the inflammation that triggers diverticulitis! Good luck!

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1 reply
helen001 | @helen001 | Sep 21 7:43am
In reply to @catherine1290 "You have a definite issue with making a decision with two surgeons giving opposite recommendations. I'm..." + (show)
@catherine1290

You have a definite issue with making a decision with two surgeons giving opposite recommendations. I'm not sure what to do. If one of them is skilled enough to do this procedure laparascopically then I personally would do it but having already had open abdominal surgery twice I would not look forward to that again. Ask about balloon dilation and medication to ward off the inflammation that triggers diverticulitis! Good luck!

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Good advice thank you!

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judithrae | @judithrae | Sep 21 8:59am
In reply to @helen001 "Good luck with the surgery. I wish you all the very best. If your up to..." + (show)
@helen001

Good luck with the surgery. I wish you all the very best. If your up to it please could you post how it was for you. I've had two different opinions from two different surgeons one saying I need it one saying no! I'm so confused. Take care stay well. Xxx

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I have the same issue... I understand the reluctance to do surgery to correct adhesions from another surgery but don't know what to do. Linzess & amitiza don't seem to help & that's all the keep prescribing. Trying to do "medical management" before they agree to surgery??!!

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