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Dealing with strictures... Any tips??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/23/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
The past couple of days haven't been too good. cry   I usually have Crohn's constipation, so I take Miralax daily.  I also have a stricture, which has been giving me some problems the past couple of days.  I have frequency and urgency, but only go a little at a time.  Now I have some diarrhea and bloating.  I know I don't have a blockage because I am passing gas and stool.  My stomach is grumbling quite loudly, and I have a little nausea.  I am trying to do the Hydrocortisone enemas, but am having trouble retaining them.  I always stay away from sugar, but today I have just been drinking Gatorade and Ginger Ale to stay hydrated and so I don't get low blood sugar, and because I'm not hungry.  I know I shouldn't be consuming all of this sugar, but don't know what else to do.....

Does anyone have any recommendations/dietary suggestions?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks, and blessings to you all.

Posted 1/23/2009 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Julie,
I also have a stricture and I have been having the same symptoms the last few days as well as far as constipation, bloating, loud grumbling and nausea. I'd love some advice as well. I've also been eating very little, drinking tea, water or (I know it's a no, no) but today, some coffee. I've basically been living on chicken broth, Campbells homestyle chicken noodle soup (because the noodles are smaller) and a plain egg white omelet here or there. My husband says it's time for another scope...ooh I dread that. My last one was 3.5 to 4 years ago....It's definitely time.

Good luck Julie....hopefully we'll get some releif soon.
Posted 1/23/2009 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for letting me know I'm not alone in this. I just got done eating chicken noodle soup also......
Posted 1/23/2009 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Can you do Ensure or Boost, They have a bit more nutrition. When I have a partial blockage I try to stick to chicken broth and tea. The broth has lots of salt which I think helps balance the electrolytes. But that's just my non medical opinion. It makes me feel better when I get a bit light headed from not eating.
Posted 1/23/2009 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
This is going to sound weird, but massaging the area actually helps me. I can manipulate the area enough to help things pass through. Just lay flat on your back, breath in, and work it in a circular motion. It might hurt a little, but it will pass.
Posted 1/23/2009 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
hope you are feeling better.

i am new to this crohn's stuff so can anyone tell me what stricture is?
Posted 1/23/2009 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
A narrow area of intestine. It can be due to inflammation or scar tissue. Sometimes food can get stuck if the narrowing is severe and cause a blockage or a partial blockage. Signs of that would be nausea, bloating, no bowel movements or passing of gas, pain, and eventually vomiting. If this were to happen to you, you should call you doctor ASAP, or go to an ER. It can become life threatening quickly. Unfortunately, some of us have had to deal with this all too often and know how and what to do. Others with CD have never had to deal with a blockage, so please don't get ahead of yourself and worry needlessly.
Posted 1/24/2009 12:04 AM (GMT 0)

Zanne said...
A narrow area of intestine. It can be due to inflammation or scar tissue. Sometimes food can get stuck if the narrowing is severe and cause a blockage or a partial blockage. Signs of that would be nausea, bloating, no bowel movements or passing of gas, pain, and eventually vomiting. If this were to happen to you, you should call you doctor ASAP, or go to an ER. It can become life threatening quickly. Unfortunately, some of us have had to deal with this all too often and know how and what to do. Others with CD have never had to deal with a blockage, so please don't get ahead of yourself and worry needlessly.

Thanks i am not worried :) it is just good to know this stuff.
I feel like i know a lot about Crohn's but i am always learning something new, this is really a complicated disease :S
Posted 1/24/2009 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I had some air passing but not much , and still had a wee bit of D when I had my blockages. Terrible gurgling and I could see the bowels moving when I had my second one. I found cream soups like chicken and mushroom mixed with water when cooking tasted good and I used to take the chicken and mushrooms out. Jello is good too. I did find that it helped with appetite. Ensure is good too .I wouldn't let those symnptoms go to long before seeking medical care. My last blockage I drank lots of gatorade .. it tasted good.. Hope you two feel better soon...lol gail
Posted 1/24/2009 2:16 AM (GMT 0)

Zanne said...
Can you do Ensure or Boost, They have a bit more nutrition. When I have a partial blockage I try to stick to chicken broth and tea. The broth has lots of salt which I think helps balance the electrolytes. But that's just my non medical opinion. It makes me feel better when I get a bit light headed from not eating.

I cannot have either one of those as I am lactose intolerant.  Sometimes I'll drink a soy protein shake..that seems to help. I just purchase chocolate soy milk this evening. I was feeling a bit hungry but afraid to eat so I had a glass. For some reason, chocolate soymilk (or lactaid milk with chocolate syrup) seems to take the hunger pangs away. Jello is good too but that gets boring quick!
Posted 1/24/2009 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all of the advice/suggestions! I just woke up so I'm not sure how the bowels are yet today.... Time will tell shortly, lol!
Posted 1/24/2009 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
You may be able to do Carnation instant breakfast made with either soy or lactaid milk. At least then you would be getting some vit. and nutrion.
Posted 1/24/2009 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Julie I always do well with Chicken Broth. Something in it always helps to settle my gut down when I am feeling nauseaous and weak. Another things that helps that Zanne recommended to me was some saltine crackers with just a little margarine/butter. Hope you get feeling better soon.

Hugs,
Gail *Nanners*
Posted 1/24/2009 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
To hydrate I sometimes do better with pedialyte than gatorade. I think it has less sugar or something.
Posted 1/24/2009 3:30 PM (GMT 0)

Julie1014 said...
Thank you for all of the advice/suggestions! I just woke up so I'm not sure how the bowels are yet today.... Time will tell shortly, lol!

I know what you mean, Julie. I woke up this morning feeling pretty good as well with little bloating. I had a scrambled egg, 1/2 english muffin with a little low sugar strawberry jam, a small sausage link (this could cause a problem later) and a glass of chocolate soy milk. We'll see how I feel in a couple of hours. My son has a basketball game this afternoon and there's nothing worse than sitting in those stands on the uncomfortable bleachers trying to suck in the painful bloat! Good luck to you!
Posted 1/24/2009 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks again for all of the advice! I am drinking gatorade now because that is all I have in the house. I am going to go out later and get some of the foods everyone recommended. This morning has been "rabbit terds," lol! I have the urge to go, go a little, rest, go again, blah blah....

mom2carrington, I hope your breakfast stays down nicely and that you have a good day. Blessings to all!
Posted 1/28/2009 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Well, it seems as if the symptoms of the stricture aren't getting any better. I just purchased Carnation Instant Breakfast and some Lactaid milk. I think i'm going to give the bowels a break for a couple of days and just stick with liquids. Thanks again to everyone for the advice!
Posted 1/28/2009 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Julie I feel for you, I am going through exactly the same thing. I had to have a ct scan today because of the stricture and just when they were almost done I started to throw up everywhere, I also have the constant urges and keep losing control of my bowel. I have been drinking a lot of sustagen to get some nutrition into me. But still feel like crap. Sorry Im not much help but hope you get better real soon. Take care and keep us posted
Posted 1/28/2009 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
(((Andorable))) I am so sorry you are going through this. Strictures stink!! Is the liquid diet helping you? How are they going to treat you?
Posted 1/28/2009 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Julie, yes your right it stinks big time. the liquid diet is helping to a point but im still not great. Had a ct scan today then colonoscope in 2 weeks having the prep via NG tube, my GI said depending on the cause of the stricture they may be able to fix it while doing the scope. If its active disease then out comes the rest of my colon and getting an ostomy. I am so scared but right now anything would be better than what I am dealing with, so thats what they are doing for me. I will keep you posted and please do the same.
((((((HUGS))))))
hope u feel better soon
Posted 1/28/2009 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Julie,

Sorry to hear you are going through all of this. I am guessing your GI is going to preform a balloon dialation during your colonoscopy. This stretches the scar tissue and expands the narrowed area. I have had this done twice and it helped me alot. Better then having to have surgery.

Keep us posted.

Julia
Posted 1/29/2009 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I did not know that they could give the prep via NG tube. You mean no more drinking the Go-lytly crap?
Don't worry about surgery, there gonna yank that hunk of bad intestine out of me. Thank goodness, now it's time for the good times!!!
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