functional large bowel obstruction

Hi...IBS doesn't cause scarring, but it's possible signals are skewed.
Re left sided...where exactly is scarring? When was the last visual?
Have you been constipated over the last year, or just recently?
q

No my point here is nothing to do with flaring....lets leave that one aside...my point here is the functional affect on the colon from years of chronic inflammation even in a state of remission....so im wondering can large bowel obstruction result due to this non - mechanical modality....have people experienced such and what was the resolution they were suggested of used

Kevin_H said...
No my point here is nothing to do with flaring....lets leave that one aside...my point here is the functional affect on the colon from years of chronic inflammation even in a state of remission....so im wondering can large bowel obstruction result due to this non - mechanical modality....have people experienced such and what was the resolution they were suggested of used

Yes, scar tissue can definitely do this. I have that problem in my rectum. The scarring makes it hard for solid, fully formed stool to be carried forward through the scarred areas. However, your GI team really needs to confirm this, rather than the nurse just guessing at it. What it "could be" is irrelevant to proving what it actually is.

When did you enter remission? If it was recently, scar tissue in the bowel can soften over time. It never fully goes away, but it can become more flexible and you'll regain functionality. When I'm newly in remission, I still experience discomfort as hard stool passes through the areas that recently recovered from UC. The nervous system in the bowel is extremely sensitive, which is why UC is so painful. Even in remission, the nerves can remain system, causing an IBS sort of situation.

A formula that I used in the past to heal some scar tissue is called Hydraplenish. Don't know if it's made anymore. It softens scar tissue throughout the body. Old scars turn pink and start to heal. But if you're recently in remission, maybe don't rock the boat yet.

CRP and ESR are actually reasonably useful for diagnosing moderate to extreme UC. If markers are above normal, then it means the flare is pretty bad. CRP isn't great at detecting low level UC, and obviously without a scope you can't know the specifics of your disease. There can be "simmering" inflammation that CRP doesn't detect. If your symptoms are otherwise normal, then you're probably good. I am not someone who promotes scoping all the time to get confirmation. Colonoscopies cause bowel trauma and some of us don't need anymore of that.

I think I have it as per my understanding from the doctor, she told me to lose weight because fat is making this blockage

I doubt that biologics would help unless you have some active inflammation that doesn't show up on blood tests (blood tests aren't reliable in some people). Probably best to discuss with your doc rather than the nurse. The other symptoms you describe -- bloating, pain, distention -- could be IBS, but in my opinion I think docs throw that term at IBD patients too easily. You don't have to have diarrhea or blood to have inflammation. I have read that there are devices that can be used to stretch scar tissue if the bowel has been narrowed. Don't know much about it though. Might be a good idea to get another scope to see what is going on. Inflammation can cause a narrowing of the colon that can seem like constipation.

Kevin...So...you really dont know where the scarring exactly is?
q