Blockage? Stricture?

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ColoradoCarrie

Hi,

I have been battling severe constipation (bloating snd cramping) mixed with acidic watery diarrhea (aka the usual) for about 9 months. The constipation is getting a lot worse (daily) and my new dr. thinks there is a blockage or stricture. He wants to do either an MRI Enterography or the test where I swallow the camera and it follows the intestinal tract to see what's going on.

Does anyone have experience with either of these methods to help determine what's going on? He seems indecisive and I'd rather not pay a ton for one test and it turn out I need the other done. Thanks, appreciate the advice!

Carrie

UC diag 1991 - Jpouch 1999 - Crohns diagnosis 2010

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Jan DollarModerator, RN, retired

One issue you need to seriously consider is that if a severe stricture is suspected, the camera pill endoscopy could lead to a rather urgent bowel resection to retrieve the device if it becomes lodged in your GI tract. That said, you may be headed that way anyway, and the camera pill endoscopy could identify where the narrowing is.

The MRI could also show the narrowing if it exists. Still, the end result would be surgery if a narrowed area is found. The difference is that the surgery would be less urgent.

If it were me, I would opt for the MRI, as it is less risk in your situation.

Hope you are on the mend soon.

Jan