Watch Out for Strictures!

I just spent 4 days in the hospital because I was diagnosed with a stricture. Turns out that 1 in 4 develope strictures. I had surgery 6 1/2 weeks ago and last week I started vomiting when I would eat anything solid or semi solid. It progressed to where I couldn't even hold protien drinks down. This past tuesday I went to the general surgery clinic to get checked out and they admitted me on the spot. The next day they sent a scope down my throat and dicsovered that fiberous material had formed around the stoma and my stoma had closed to about 3cm. They sent a small balloon into the opening and broke the fiberous core to stretch my stoma out to 8cm. They had to stop at 8cm because I was bleeding too much. They wanted to get my stoma open to about 12 cm, so they kept me for 2 more days and today they did the procedure again and stretched it to about 12cm. I had asked if this was something I will need done again later on down the road. The doctor replied that there will always be that chance, but that he felt it unlikely. So, if you find you cannot keep anything down, GET CHECKED IMMEDIATELY! I'm told that strictures usually occur at about the 6 week point. If you want to read more about my experiences, its in my bio. D D

I can completely relate. I just had a stricture blown open to 12 mm. I hope this takes care of my problem. Luckily, I did not need to be hospitalized as mine was not completely closed. Now I'm afraid I've developed some psychological problems related to food. I've gotten sick on so many things that the mere thought of eating again is a problem. I'm afraid everything I try will come back at me. It is a pleasure to drink water again in reasonable quantities. Good luck to you, sorry that you had to endure another hospital visit. Mary

Boy do I know what you mean about the water. It seemed like I was always so thirsty, it didnt matter what I drank...which was mostly water because I have never been able to tolerate artificial sweeteners. They are just awful to me. I would much rather do without! May I suggest trying some mashed potatos in very tiny bites? Or cream of wheat. Although I have been blessed with no problems with vomiting I was afraid to eat because of how small my stomach is now. I know the fear is probably far greater for you because of your experience... God Bless you!

I had my surgery on 4/8/05 and three weeks ago I had to have a stricture fixed; I was at the point tha****er wouldn't go down. While my Dr. was blowing up my stomach he discovered I had an ulcer. After I let it heal for a week both my Dr and the nut. stressed that I needed to eat protein so that another stricture wouldn't occur. So I push the protein daily. Carla

Does anyone know what can cause strictures? Or if there is a way to prevent them? Rachael

Rachael, I asked the doctor that very same question, his response to me was that strictures are caused by inflamation. That was _before_ they sent the scope down my throat and noted that my body was very good at healing itself. So good, it formed a hard fiberous material around the stoma. He told me that strictures are relatively common 1-4 get them. If its caused by inflamation, might be caused by eating too solid of foods too soon. However, as I said in my case, my body was _too_ efficient in healing and saw the stoma as a wound. He said there's no real prevention that can be done. But that's just _one_ doctors opinion. D D

I was told by my Dr. that strictures are formed by how you heal. Most patients, when they heal, heal open. But some, like me, heal closed. Now, in order to keep it open I must push the protein; at first I was scared to eat meat but I started with Wendy's chili. That went down well. Two weeks have past since I had my stricture fixed and I still pushing protein. In fact if you look at the foods I eat you will see it is heavy on the protein; I eat very little to no fruits and vegetables and if I have bread it is toasted so I can eat some peanut butter. Take care, Carla