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Stricture stretching

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Posted 8/21/2016 11:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey has anyone had their stricture stretched? I just had mine stretched to 15mm but it went back down to about 12.

How long did you have to wait to have it enlarged or stretched again? How many times can they "dial ate" the narrowed segment? (Mines in my sigmoid)

Any info appreciated.
Posted 8/21/2016 12:17 PM (GMT 0)
I waited about 6 weeks, my doctor felt it was too risky to do it closer together than 4 weeks because it needed time to heal. He felt that if that one didn't work or it had gotten worse it would be time for surgery but that was because I didn't have any inflammation so the surgery would have been relatively simple except for my blood thinners. I've heard though of it being done many times though so I don't think there is an actual maximum number of times it can be done. (If Randynoguts is around he gave me quite a bit of info on this, it's in one of my posts from the middle/end of June). I hope you get some relief soon! (((Hugs)))) :)
Posted 8/22/2016 8:47 AM (GMT 0)
hey, lab is correct , I do have some experience.. just had the latest one last Thursday. have had one every month since last xmas eve, except june. sometimes twice in a week as in july. ( mine is in the sigmoid also. well new one isnt, more later) started at 9mm. have been up to 18mm but I has shrunk back down every time to less than 15mm. I though have inflammation at that spot and others now, it bleeds every time so they do it slowly and gently. what prep are you doing? for the sigmoid just a enema when you get there should be sufficient. it has been for all of mine. except the ones that they do a colonoscopy at the same time. they do the scope and then the stretch on the way out. ;o)
Posted 8/22/2016 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Randynoguts. I am so glad you responded. Thank You!!!

I am allergic to all the prep kits so I take milk of magnesia for a week prior and eat all clear broths. No other prep.

GI did not want to do balloon...wanted surgery. Colorectal surgeon said no we have to save as much as possible...plus it's inflammation not scar tissue. I have fistulas and colorectal said we are not going to address them now, maybe later. GI Did balloon and went from 5mm to 15 down to 12...and wondering if its shrinking now and how do you know? (Before you get in trouble?) Did you have any difficulty getting your GI to agree to complete the stretch multiple times?

My GI has me on 2 Tablespoons of milk of magnesia a day AND he wants me to puree my food or eat liquids. Colorectal surgeon said that was overkill. Take the MOM and eat low res diet with pureeing as needed. Play with MOM to make things work..???

I have no control--watery D-- since I started taking the MOM....but am scared not to because I might get obstructed. I think I am going to try taking MOM 10 ml in 8 hour increments and try eating more solid foods? Same dose amount just 3 times instead of 2. The puree/liquid diet.....do you have to do that? And what do you do when you start feeling "full"?

I have so many questions. Please don't go away....lol.
Posted 8/23/2016 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
I eat regularly. I only have a couple three feet of intestine , so stuff moves pretty quick.. . I also am a diarrhea kind of guy. I do fine at 15mm but we are all different. my DR was the one who insisted we do it monthly. if I close up, I'm in real trouble because of the short bowel. not really much to reconnect if they gotta cut another piece out. maybe find a dr that HAS seen worse. would have more knowledge of new meds and treatments if they have already seen people worse off? I did that 20 years ago and it helped until he retired. I now have another excellent GI DR here in the seattle area. she has told me to call her cellphone if ever I'm in the ER, so she can advise them of my specific problems with med absorption and fluid needs etc.. only had to do it once in 4 years.

I usually don't get on the computer till after midnight pacific time, so if you ask me something I wont generally see it till then. maybe go back and read some of my earlier posts from '03 on, when I was more enthusiastic.. ;oP
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