Stricture question?

My daughters CD has seemingly been under control for about the last 2 yrs. She seems to tolerate the Imuran she's on pretty well, and we hope that it's doing it's job.

For the most part, she's been fine, good bloodwork etc., except that for the last several weeks, she seems to have very little appetite. She often will last all day without eating, then may have one average meal. Some days she will eat normally, but for the most part, no appetite. She's had no pains. 

She does have 2cm of stricture in her ilium. Does anyone dealing with strictures have a problem with appetite? Is this a sign of anything unusual? Is no appetite abdormal or a concern of anything Crohn's related?

Thanks,

Tom. 

I have narrowing in my ileum and cecum. I am on prednisone right now after a flare where I completely lost my appetite. This happens to me when I flare because my pattern is that I often get a low grade fever when I flare up. You might want to check her temperature as the fever and loss of appetite for me go hand in hand. My pattern is that I start off okay in the morning and then my fever increases and appetite decreases as the day goes on. Sometimes I just get one day of fever and then not another for a few weeks. If fevers are happening, see the doc (I left mine too long). But, it could be a number of different reasons too and that is just me!

Thanks for the replies. Just to answer some of the points brought up. She doesn't have any fevers. No unusual bathroom issues. Her activity level is normal. I can't think of any other unusual symptoms right now. It has been extremely hot here in the Northeast of late, perhaps that has dampened her appetite. As Nanners indicated, maybe just a couple of bad days here and there. After having this amount of time in with this disease, I really try to have patience, and not overreact. I'll keep tabs, but hopefully things will improve.

Thanks,

Tom.

 

We were told her stricture was scar tissue. Today she worked all day, and only had a bagel. She has no appetite for anything else tonight she said. She did tell me that she had a sore stomach last night, but feels fine today, just absolutely no appetite.

I just don't understand how she could go on without eating. 

I guess I'm just worried that it's a bad sign.

Tom.

Well she has been drinking enough fluids. Mostly juice and iced tea, As I mentioned it has been extremely hot  weather here in the Northeast. 

She told me last night that when she eats something, she starts feeling full. She will burp somewhat as well. I really just want to be sure it's not some kind of blockage. If it were, then what would cause that?  

Thanks Gail,

That sounds reassuring. So if there were some kind of blockage, there is severe pain associated? She keeps telling me she feels fine, just not hungry. What exactly occurs when there is a blockage? I'm assuming there would be severe constipation and even vomiting, neither of which she seems to have.

Thanks again,

Tom.

As long as she's not loosing weight allow her to continue as she is. I think her body somehow knows when eating is a bad thing and subdues the appetite for a good reason. It's taken me many years to learn the same thing, believe me. As for a blockage, for me 1) no bowel movements probably the day before as well. 2) belly swells out, 4-5 months pregnant like and becomes hard to the touch. If you press lightly and run fingers up and down the belly it feels like corderoy (hope I came close on spelling). 3) the pain begins as a strong ache in one area of the abdomen for me just above the belly button. then the area of pain spreads around the belly button into one or both kidneys and the back. Can spread to other areas, everyone's different. 4) Finally the pain is a band about 7-8' wide all around the abdomen front to back and the pain begins what I call cyclical. It starts as an ache and steadily intensifies stronger and stronger until for the last 15 sec. its excru****ing and as well the next 15 more seconds as it begins to subside, back to bad ache and the cycle starts again. The cycles vary widely in time from (the worst) every 2-3 minutes, to every half an hour. 5) The total time for a blockage has been between 6- 40 hours and is very brutal to the body. 6) Vomitting can also be a part of blockages but for me when I vomit it usualy means the beginning of the end. Maybe it will stop in the next 4-6 hours. 7) The recovery is around 2 days for every 6 hours of cyclical pain or more. Again this is my experience but I know many others suffer very similar symptoms. I hope this doesn't scare you because this may never happen to your daughter, I truely hope it doesn't, if it does you'll know, no guessing needed. Get her to emergency for treatment.

Kiwi12, grandpato, Zanne,

These responses are great. Thank you all for taking the time to offer you reassureance. 

Thanks for the detailed explaination of what a blockage would be like. Helps me to know what to watch for.

There is one thing that might have caused a problem. A few weeks ago she started taking Vitamin D. The most popular side effects include loss of appetite and abdominal pain. Has anyone ever experienced that? Might be a long shot, but I'm going to have her give up the Vitamin D for now. 

Tom.

Tom I am one of the most sensitive people to supplements, and I take Vitamin D3 with no problem at all. I would not take her off of it, it is a very necessary vitamin for us Crohnies as Grandpato2 stated. Good luck!

Since being on Imuran I sometimes lose my appetite for about 2 weeks and then it's back. I find myself only craving white bread, bagels and sweets. It is really odd. I also get very fatigued and just want to rest. Which I assume is from not eating.The smoothie idea is great. I can't tolerate milkshakes during these times.