Stricture questions

[drw2 9]

Has anyone had stricture? How did you know it was stricture, what were your symptoms?

Did you have a procedure done to fix it and did it work?

[jj7481 363]

Is this something you are currently experiencing? Any possibility it's a food blockage caused by food not chewed well enough?

[Daisee68 2,493]

I did have a stricture. I had trouble keeping food down for quite a few weeks but figured it was just because I was eating too fast or not small enough bites. At right about 3 months, I had 4 days in a row of not being able to keep anything down. It wouldn't be too bad in the morning but as I ate throughout the day, it progressively got worse (now we know it is because the food couldn't get through) so surgeon did an EGD with a balloon and dilated the space. Surgeon said the space was so small that she was barely able to get the instrument with the balloon through the space.

Not sure if that helps. Let me know if more questions.

[drw2 9]

Did the procedure help?

[Daisee68 2,493]

Oh yes! Instantly! I actually had it done twice one week apart. The first was my surgeon's partner who I think was a little anxious to stretch it too much so she stretched to 9mm and then a week later, they had me go to a GI Dr who did the procedure again and stretched it to 15mm total. He was surprised the first Dr hadn't done it but as I said she is newer and it made her too anxious. That was back in September. I haven't had any issues since. (Well I do occasionally get sick but it is because I have eaten too fast or not chewed well enough and now it happens maybe once every other month or so and it is totally my fault.). I was only asleep for maybe 10 minutes, had slightly sore throat from the scope and then walked out on my own from both).

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[drw2 9]

Ok thanks so much. I'm a little nervous but I'm having it done on Wednesday and hopefully it will help.

[drw2 9]

Another question how did you get your fluids in until the procedure

[280journey 24]

Oh yes! Instantly! I actually had it done twice one week apart. The first was my surgeon's partner who I think was a little anxious to stretch it too much so she stretched to 9mm and then a week later, they had me go to a GI Dr who did the procedure again and stretched it to 15mm total. He was surprised the first Dr hadn't done it but as I said she is newer and it made her too anxious. That was back in September. I haven't had any issues since. (Well I do occasionally get sick but it is because I have eaten too fast or not chewed well enough and now it happens maybe once every other month or so and it is totally my fault.). I was only asleep for maybe 10 minutes, had slightly sore throat from the scope and then walked out on my own from both).

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Were you nauseated constantly with the stricture?

[Daisee68 2,493]

@@280journey - Yes I was nauseated BUT I will have to say, that I was that way even after they fixed the stricture. It lasted until about 6 months post-op and then magically went away (THANK GOODNESS!). In the meantime, I took Zofran nearly every day.

@@drw2 - So sorry. Just saw this. Try not to worry too much. I know it is a little scary (and trust me I was scared enough for both of us), but it really was a breeze and helped immediately! For your fluids (just tomorrow I guess), you have to go back to sipping tiny tiny amounts all day. Do not get dehydrated. (Actually I went to the ER for fluids because I was so sick and they did a CT Scan and didn't find anything. The next day got worse, so my surgeon did the dilation 2 days later.) I used a tiny medicine cup I had that held one ounce, set an alarm for every 5 minutes and drank about 1/2 ounce (1/2 the cup) every 5 to 10 minutes. I was even able to drink a Protein shake that way. I would do that for a couple of hours, take a break for an hour or so and then start again. How far post-op are you?

[drw2 9]

Well I had my rny 12/14/15 then emergency surgery 12/20/15 because I had a leak.

[drw2 9]

It seems like tonight was better than this morning. I was able to eat popsicles. I have sensitive teeth so I cut it up and let tiny bits disolve in my mouth..then later in I was able to drink some Water. I'll try the tiny cup tomorrow. Thank you

Edited February 16, 2016 by drw2

[Daisee68 2,493]

Well that's good that you got some fluids in. Here is what they told me - with a stricture, there is a VERY VERY tiny space because scar tissue has grown and blocked the exit to your stomach. You have to drink the Fluid very slowly so you can give it time to drain out. As long as I was only drinking fluids, I was fine. It was the food that then wouldn't go through and then built up that made me have to vomit and get it out. I know liquid diet is hard, but if you can do it just one more day, I promise it will be easier after. I am so sorry you have been through so much already! Hang in there!

[drw2 9]

Thanks for your help! It's helped me stay positive and I really appreciate it!!!!! I'll update you tomorrow after the procedure.

[Daisee68 2,493]

I'm so glad! Yes definitely let me know how you are doing. Remember tiny sips all day. Stay hydrated.

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[Daisee68 2,493]

@@drw2 - I hope your day went OK and you aren't too anxious about tomorrow. Will be thinking about you! Let me know how it goes!

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