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Anyone have a stricture in their Sigmoid Colon?

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Posted 2/9/2024 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I have a few strictures in my colon. One in my rectum and one in my sigmoid. One in my sigmoid is 2 inches long. The one in my sigmoid, I believe is giving me issues, unless there is one further up I don't know about.

My surgeon wants to just jump right into a colostomy bag without even trying to dilate the one in the sigmoid. Even though the one in my rectum isn't giving me the issues (it's still not great though). He's saying he doesn't dilate strictures usually in sigmoid since it can be too dangerous.

Anyone ever have a stricture in their sigmoid? What do you do? Ever been obstructed? Have you ever had a dilation done? Ever tried dilating it yourself?
Posted 2/9/2024 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have🤗. My Dr was great, we made a plan to stretch it that was quite lengthy. I went every 2 weeks for about 9 months and she used a Sig scope to stretch 3mm each time. But it would then go back 2mm. So it took that long to get from like 9-10 mm up to 20 or so. Only prep was enemas. I did have propafol sedation every time though which requires a anesthesia dr. So cost goes up. That was about 6-7 years ago and its still ok. 😁
Posted 2/9/2024 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
Did your stricture ever get to the point it was obstructed? Was it a GI dilating your stricture or a colorectal surgeon? I don't know why this surgeon isn't more keen on dilating this stricture he was saying it's not safe to dilate in the sigmoid because he could perfororate. Do you think I should find a new surgeon? Everytime I go in he's pushing this surgery on me like I have no other option. Also, were these balloon dilations?

Post Edited (Poppysocks) : 2/9/2024 2:01:42 PM (GMT-8)

Posted 2/10/2024 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
I have had strictures in my sigmoid. We tried to stretch it but it came back each time. My GI did the balloon stretching.... Not my colorectal Surgeon. During that time we also tried new meds, diets.... The final stricture/obstruction occurred along with mega colon and sepsis. My CRS came in and said he thought we needed to try a temp colostomy and once my RVF hopefully healed and my rectum and colon settled down we'd piece me back together.

My strictures/obstructions were too high in the sigmoid for me to try to dilate myself. The percentages of dilations that are successful was pretty low in 2016....but I'm unsure about now. They gave me all the information, my CRS didn't even offer to dilate, my GI said that he'd try but odds were I was looking at a colostomy... At least to allow my colon to settle down.

They put me to sleep for the stretching. My strictures and obstructions were caused mainly from inflammation not scar tissue. The dilation lasted about 24 hours each time.... After the first dilation I ate and when it contracted again it was even smaller than before and I became obstructed. Vomiting and pain worse than child birth. NGO tube and no food for a week, another stretching session and 36 hours later it was back. After 3 or 4 months I was just grateful I'd survived to be able to have a colostomy.

I felt so much better after the colostomy. I still struggle though.. I have an aggressive severe form of Crohn's along with UC... I have hade 4 surgeries because of strictures/obstructions ....BUT my life is still so much better with the colostomy.

I'm sorry you are going thru this. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Clo
Posted 2/10/2024 8:18 PM (GMT 0)
Gastro did them. Yes the scope has a balloon on it. That one was never completely blocked but I had some in my small bowel that were and needed taken out. As for perforation, well yeah if he's gonna try and do it all at once, but if its done over a number of weeks it would be better. Surgeons by and large are cutters. That's what they are trained to do. A gastro dr is more likely to want to help save the gut than cut the gut. Where are you at? I know some good Drs that have moved over the years.
Posted 2/11/2024 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Charleston South Carolina
Posted 2/12/2024 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry don't know any there😋 Cleveland clinic or Seattle I could hook ya up.
Posted 2/12/2024 5:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for trying smile. And yea I'm thinking of just ditching my surgeon. Might need to find a new GI in my area who are good at doing dilations.

Clo

Seeing how you were actively inflamed i could see why the dilation didnt work for you. My inflammation is actually under control for the most part with inflimab. This sigmoid stricture has just gradually gotten worse over the years to the point now im having to take fleet enemas or large doses of miralax to keep things moving. I don't even know if a dilation would work on this stricture but I at least want to try.
Posted 2/13/2024 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Oh I think it's worth the try. Absolutely. There's someone on here .. Lab?... That had her dilation the same time I had mine---and I think hers held!!!

Clo
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