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another colonoscopy?

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Posted 10/1/2012 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
just a quick question. My son had a colonoscopy in January 2012, It showed he had a stricture and were not able to go into his terminal ileum (where he had his original problem).He was started on remicade in the hopes that it would reduce the thickening. There has not been much progress on the remicade so we went for a second opinion and the new doc is considering surgery, but wants to do another colonoscopy to see if the remicade had any effect on the stricture or if it is scarred over. This does seem reasonable but it has only been 8 months since the last colonoscopy. Do they commonly do them that often?
Posted 10/1/2012 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't say it was common. Except in a situation such as you have just encountered. Its not unusual for a new doctor to want to be able to make his own assessment of the situation before treating or contemplating surgery. Good luck and God bless to your son!!!
Posted 10/1/2012 2:46 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think there is any other way to see if the narrowing in his terminal ileum is due to scarring or inflammation other than to do another colonoscopy. If it is due to scarring, then probably surgery is in order. If it is from inflammation, then he may want to try a different biologic other than remicade to see if he responds better, or a course of Prednisone. Sorry your son has to go through another colonoscopy, but it does seem like a reasonable plan.
Posted 10/1/2012 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hello AWMom,

My son was at the Docs on Friday and he too has to have another colonoscopy and endoscopy after having one on January 31, 2012. Had an MRI over the Labor Day weekend which was clear but he continues to have symptoms so they are going to scope again just to see if the MRI may not have shown up any problem areas and also to see if they need to make medication changes.

Needless to say he is not jumping with joy at the thought of another round of scopes. Hope your son gets to start feeling better soon.

Take Care.
Posted 10/1/2012 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you ALL so much for your input, I feel confident that the Doc knows what he is doing, but every once in a while I get a wave of doubt. Being able to communicate with all of you and hearing your experiences helps so much. Dingleeire, I hope your son's results are good and that you can find something that helps. Has he tried several medications?
Posted 10/1/2012 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
AWMom:

Since surgery he has taken Asaol 800mg twice daily, 6mp was added in February he alternates every other day between 75mg and 100mg, Currently he is weaning off omeperazole should be off it completely in two weeks. Takes Probiotic, iron supplement and Vit D also daily. Hopefully the scope will give us more answers. After surgery he was having formed stools and going once daily this lasted until August . Now he has loose stool and diarrhea daily also he is more fatigued.

Waiting to get results from stool studies, blood work is good. Just got a call from GI Doc, stool came back positive for C-Diff, must start Flagyl. Neverending!

Post Edited (Dingleeire) : 10/1/2012 5:20:02 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/2/2012 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
Oh dear, Digleeire, it truly is neverending. It sounds like you and your son have gone through alot. I keep thinking it's just a matter of hitting on the "right thing" and each time they start with a new treatment/med there is that hope that this will be "it". Somehow, I still believe that, so I hope that for your son you have found the right combination and that this new obstacle with C-Ciff will be overcome rapidly!!!
Posted 10/4/2012 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Awmom,

I too suffer from the same problems with my docs inability to get into the terminal ileum with a scope. I had complications from the colonoscopy due to my stricture that it caused me more problems. Has he tried a barium ct? I had it done to see what degree of swelling I had. I am currently in the hospital now and that is what they have done and were able to tell me that my stricture has gotten more severe.

G'luck!
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