Stricture questions

I recently had pouchitis and also learned I have a stricture. Clearing the pouchitis decreased frequency to 4-6 BMs and very, very little incontinence. I would say 98% improvement.

I asked the GI about the stricture at my appt yesterday and she said best not to mess with it given I have had the J pouch surgery.....Yeah, I know, that made no sense. I have the stricture because of the surgery.

I let it go for now, but I would also be curious to hear others' thoughts on this as I am not completely sold on this doc.

Strictures drive me crazy. My symptoms, when it reappears, are lots of back to back to back trips to the bathroom, with little output. That takes a toll on me, mentally and physically, especially at 3 AM.

Then somehow, a gully washer empties me out.

I have had a stricturoplasty where the doc made some incisions to try and fix the stricture, and one procedure to try and fix it. Both by the same surgeon who did my jpouch. Kia, I am also surprised you doc advised you to not mess with it.

I bought a Hegar dilator for it, but have not used it in quite some times.

I too have dealt with strictures. My GI has been doing dilations once a month and I do them myself inbetween whenever I start to feel things getting closed up in there. It has helped and I have noticed its staying open for longer periods... GI did say it would take several dialations before it would keep open.

I would hesitate using anything other than my finger, only because I feel you need to feel how far your going in and flexibility, as my anastomosis is at an angle.

Strictures could be caused by muscle spasming. I have had a lot of success with trigger point dry needling, both for myself and I also perform this technique on patients to release spasms and tigger points in the pelvic floor muscles. I'm in Georgia, but there are other physical therapists around treating the pelvic floor that can help as well.