how to know it's scar tissue?

the doc thinks it's scar tissue because there was a stricture so narrow in the first colonoscopy that he couldn't get the scope through and after several weeks of 60mg of prednisone it didn't be any better. The second scope was the same thing - couldn't get through. So he said it was scar tissue and sent us to he surgeon.

Well, now my husband is down to 20mg of pred, taking probiotics, fish oil and a multi vitamin and feels good! Some fatigue but 1 BM a day and no cramps. But surgery is already scheduled for December 9th. I'm starting to think that it seems weird to cut him open when he feels fine!!

The doc said there is no way to be 100% SURE it's scar tissue withouth cutting him open. He's believes it is because he prednisone didn't help. Is there any other way to know if it's really scar tissue!?

interesting Bammer - That is VERY similar to my husband. Surgery is scheduled to remove 6 - 8 inches of his sigmoid colon. Do you think that's a total coincidence or is there something different about the sigmoid area?

Anyway, I wish you luck with the new meds! We obviously have to figure this out by the 9th so I'll keep you posted. If we do opt for surgery it will be very interesting to see what she finds in there!

Thanks and I look forward to hearing what others might have to say.

Ps. Sorry about the typos above - posting from my iPhone :)

I think they go alot on if the narrowing improves with meds or if it doesn't. They can still see if it is narrowed. lol gail

PS. But you can also get scar tissue or adhesions at the resection site from surgery, can't you? All fairly new to me and learning as I go.

Am I wrong in thinking it's the surgeons who are reluctant to do the surgery except as a last resort. GI called in a surgeon during my first colonoscopy (July 2007) to view the screen. She said you don't want surgery unless absolutely necessary and in follow up in December, thought I wasn't at that point yet and referred me to specialist. He referred me to colorectal surgeon who I saw in May 08 and although surgery is an option, it was not my only option. The specialist thought when he did his first colonoscopy on me (Feb 08) I would require surgery within the next year but in August when I had almost decided, 'let's do the surgery', he wasn't so sure since he said he'd seen me long enough by then to see I good I was doing. I do not see high power, long term drugs as a good option either (unless you really need them).
Hope this isn't straying from your original post but helps you as well. In the end, people have to make the choices they think are best for them. I could have had surgery last year and everything could have been fine but back then Crohn's diagnosis came as a shock and I knew nothing about it. Now at least I can make a better informed decision.
Take care,

hey everyone

Thanks for the responses! Bammer - niether of the surgeons we've seen have been reluctant to do the surgery. In fact they haven't questioned it at all but I just figured it's because it's what they do! Our GI first said surgery is a last resort option but then referred us to the surgeon after our next visit!

Inflammed - iteresting that you have been fine with the scar tissue for so long! I hope it continues!! Thanks for sharing your experience.

I worry about surgery only leading to more scar tissue down the road but I would also like someone to get in there and really see what's going on! Tough choices with this disease!!

hi, i have three strictures and one of them is very tight , scope could not pass through, i have been with strictures over three years and i am doing very well. I am pregnant 14 weeks, feeling very healthy and happy. Strictures does not mean surgery, surgery is necessary when medication fail to control the disease. Good lucky!! Take care.

I've never been told I had strictures...just got this as an answer, "Looks like a mess in there." and all the other surgeries were to drain abscess (in a hidey spot), to explore the original problem where they removed stuff, and the removal of fistulas that were not healing. Actually, I think about what I know now and I get so mad. Why didn't any of these doctors just TALK to me? All I ever remember is being told to sign papers where I may never wake up again. My first surgery, I was totally informed about what they might end up doing as a worse case scenario but every single following surgery wasn't as clear cut as that.