Resection question

Ari,

My first question is what led to the doctor's decision you needed surgery? Have you had tests that show how tight the strictures are and what meds are you on now? You're right you realy aren't having much symptoms right now. But prior to my last resection the only symptoms I had were pain and nausea. Both are gone since, but I do now have an extra med to reduce multiple D a day.

Your B12 should be monitored for a drop in levels and if that occurs I'd think that is when you should start shots. But your body does have stores of it for now.

Oh, and of course I had both a colonoscopy and an endoscopy when I was first diagnosed 4 years ago in NC and that's about it...

Penelope-marie,

Thanks. I too feel like I have a lot questions to ask. I really don't know about the bag. The surgeon described what can be expected after the op and it is an option. By the way, I just postponed it till Dec 8.

For what it's worth, here's my opinion (Have had 3 resections)...

I would always exhaust all other options first. If you can resolve symptoms then I'd say you are not "stuck" with all scar tissue yet. You should be checking dietary and medical ways to reduce inflammation so no more scar tissue can form. If I could eat a fairly varied diet and reduce symptoms I'd never opt for surgery.

If the symptoms are not able to be taken away unless severely limiting the diet due to constant stricturing issues, then that's pretty much scar tissue that you can't do anything for except for surgery.

Surgery is permanent. It also is pretty sucky, but being a first timer you may be able to have a laproscopic procedure, which would be preferred for pain and recovery time. I had a great dr at Duke U first time and a good Surgeon and a good outcome. Unfortunately the Crohn's was back quickly and a few years later I was having a second surgery on the advice of my doctor, which was probaly too early for me, and I took her surgeon recommendation, which was a mistake as I did not get a good result. Lesson learned, research the surgeon, don't use a general surgeon, use a colorectal surgeon.

Second time I waited till I was super sick, couldn't eat any solid food, got a great surgeon and a great result. Am on maintenance meds, humira, which hopefully in conjunction with diet of no grains and little sugar will help keep the CD away.

That's what I can offer in the way of advice, hope it helps a little...

why dont you try and get a CT scan or an MRI before considering what if any surgery you might need. or even another barium meal, something that will tel you the state of your strictures now. Good that you managed to postpone the surgery, it gives you more time to think.

They can get a rough measurement of stricture amount from a small bowel follow through, which is what I'm assuming you're referring to as barium meal? You can not tell from diagnostic testing whether something is scar tissue for sure without cutting into it as far as I know. You can get an indication of how long a stricture has been a problem, based on whether there is a dialated area of intestine prior to the stricture (dialated loops...) You have to take your best guess after gathering all the information pertinent to you. As long as I had symptoms that I could live with I'd take the time to figure out what keeps the CD calm. If you have surgery, you will not be able to tell what may or may not be working drug-wise. For me there always comes a time where surgical intervention leads to much greater quality of life, that's the point I'd be waiting for. Only you can decide.

I think you'll find that the SCD will cause a great reduction in gas :) Happy side effect. I follow more or less the diet here if you want to take a look, it's similar, I've followed strict SCD in the past, I just happen to think it's not perfect. (one can certainly take honey to the extreme)
no affiliation.... www.marksdailyapple.com Just common sense mostly.

Again, good luck

Kim

==> Kim

Thanks for the link