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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/1/2009 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
First of all I have crohns...but I have a question about UC.   A friend of mine was told that he has UC.  Last summer he had his colon removed and now has a bag.  He still has blockages and episodes of pain and vomiting.  Now to me this sounds like he was misdiagnosised and has crohns.  Because if it was UC, he no longer has it because his colon is gone, right?  So why the blockages and pain and vomiting?   His surgeon just told him that some people have a harder time than others....
Posted 4/1/2009 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
     I had a friend who suffered with Crohn's and yes, what you are describing does sound like Crohn's to me.  That would be horrible to think this poor man went through that operation for naught.  He should get another opinion.
Posted 4/1/2009 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like crohn's to me too, which is why before surgery docs are suppose to state that risk factor to the patient.

:)
Posted 4/2/2009 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 4/2/2009 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
It still could be UC. Pain and blockages can happen to anyone who has had abdominal surgery. If the vomiting follows the blockage I would say that he has a stricture or narrowing of the small intestine caused by surgery. However, it is difficult to differentiate between Crohn's and UC as no conclusive test exists to differentiate the two. He should have further testing of the small bowel.

Sue
Posted 4/2/2009 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
I never knew or heard that if a UCer got their colon removed they could still have issues with blockages and such, since I've always heard that for UC getting your colon remeoved was considered a "cure", however for a crohnie to get their colon removed would not "cure" them and they could still very likely have intestinal issues (like blockages) regarding their small intestines and even issues with their esophagus since CD can affect the entire GI tract where as UC is limited to the colon/rectom.


:)
Posted 4/2/2009 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
That's what I thought pb4, but I just feel so bad for him that he is still having issues.
Posted 4/3/2009 1:57 AM (GMT 0)

A person that has surgery for UC can have blockages!!  I've had several partials over the 8 years with my jpouch.  And for some jpouchers they are severe and lead to full obstructions.  Again, a small bowel follow through will really help your friend to know if it's related to the surgery and the adhesions or if is Crohn's.

Sue

Posted 4/3/2009 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
He still has his bag though...he hasn't had the reversal, and is debating if/when he wants to.
Posted 4/3/2009 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Guess it's different when you have a j-pouch.

:)
Posted 4/3/2009 8:19 AM (GMT 0)
Its' quite normal. Even people who had their 1st stage and are on appliance (stoma bag), the chances of blockage and obstruction are quite common. Infact I used to have them very often while I was in hospital. It was for this very reason, I was twice taken off any oral diet (put on NPO) and for 3 months post 1st stage I was on liquid diet as anything I ate got stuck.

The golden rule is that do not eat anything hard, or fruits with seeds or skin. Chew every food properly. The skin of citrus fruits, apple, or seeds of orange, popcorn, etc are bound to cause blockage and discomfort resulting into vomitting and the entire plumbing stops and you tend to throw. My stoma had to be irrigated thrice and it got stuck and I felt like throwing and they had to remove the things through Ryle's tube.

Even in patients carrying J pouch (as I am today), the blockage does happen. Please take care of your diet. The blockages are also as a result of several adhesions or distentions which are the result of post operative complications.
Posted 4/3/2009 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sad to hear about all the troubles your friend is having. I know very little regarding surgery/recovery and possible problems related.

Suebear...would digestive enzymes help one in this situation (and of course a change in food intake to avoid the possible blockages)?

q
Posted 4/3/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Quincy,

I don't know much about digestive enzymes; I have never researched them or used them. Most of the jpouchers with chronic blockage problems suffer with adhesions which either necessitates a diet change or additional surgery as a last resort. The number of jpouchers with this problem are few but it obvious is of a concern. If digestive enzymes could help blockages that would be great for those who suffer!

Sue
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