a stricture for life?

[SarahJNB]

I’ve recently had a terrible time following what should have been prep for a colonoscopy and turned into needing emergency care in Hospital. Drinking the purgative laxative as directed lead to excruciating pain and took me to A&E. A scan showed what surgeons said was a thickening of colon and rest of system totally blocked up and distended. Also appendix which they clearly thought inflamed. They were really ready to perform emergency surgery and leave me with a permanent stoma somewhere depending on “how much of bowel [they would need] to remove”.

As pain had been controlled with a dose of something inc codeine, by late night they admitted me to a ward. Overnight my bowels started working again- as I realised this meant the blockage was opening I asked the ward sister to let the surgeon know. Then I refused to go to theatre in the morning and insisted to speak to surgeons. The team came up to the ward to see me and we discussed my situation. We agreed they’d try and have a look with camera and see whatever they could and if they could get camera through and didn’t see any tumours that would mean no need to cut me open.

So, that’s what happened. I was kept in hospital five days. Now home and on a low fibre diet so bowel can heal and rest. . Yesterday at a review inc blood tests and X-ray, consultant told me he wouldn’t have believed he was looking at the same person he’d seen a few days before as X-ray showed ostensibly a bowel functioning normally.

But also their diagnosis is diverticular disease and a permanent stricture which means a permanent low fibre diet and maybe other problems in future or future surgery needed. They’ll order a Colonic CT scan in a few months time.

I wonder if anyone out there has had such a diagnosis and what your experience of having a stricture has been? Thanks for reading and any advice.

[Dudders123]

What an ordeal, to think you nearly had a surgery for organ removal and now it’s working - scarey , hard to believe - what is a stricture - hope you get some replies, curious myself and my thoughts are with you, recover well and soon , take care x

[Harrisonford]

So sorry for you. A terrible ordeal which could have been life changing if you hadn't refused to go to theatre.

[Mutleyforever]

I have no answer regarding the stricture, it sounds a little vague to me. I just wanted to applaud you for speaking out and asking to see the consultant, and saving yourself the trauma that was planned 👍 very best wishes on your future journey!

[lowraind]

Hi Sarah,

Several years ago, I was admitted to the hospital for severe back pain and almost died from diverticulitis. I had a colostomy and a year later, reversal. As a result, I have a lot of scarring and have to be very careful with what I eat and with my emotional status when I eat. I have had a few blockages, which put me back in the hospital, but with drinking whatever it is they give before viewing what the problem is, the blockage was cleared each time. It may be very possible that the prep cleaned you out and opened the blockage. My surgeon and I have agreed on "no surgery". I am 83.

[XDjames]

I've experienced what seems like a blockage, and a CT scan indicated thickening of the colon. Not sure that that means, but camera coming up soon.

I thought they were these days reluctant to do surgery (at least not so quick to pass on to surgeons, who -guess what- want to do surgery).

I know what you mean by backing up though. Enema failed so attacked from the other end with very large doses of Laxido.

The other thing to pay attention to while seemingly blocked is urinary retention. Any sign of that, get right on to your GP.

[SarahJNB in reply to XDjames]

You’re right about surgeons and their desire to do surgery. I got admitted to surgery ward and surgeons took over. Bit at least they listened to me.