Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...

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tiredoldgal 08/09/2010

I recently had a colonoscopy and I see the Dr. next week. He said he saw a "patch" of u.c. and took lots of biopsy's. However he also said there was extensive scar tissue and we would discuss things next week when I see him for an office visit.

My biggest problems seem to be fatigue, gas and urgency. I am wondering if the scar tissue is hindering absorption of nutrients. In other words: Is my food processor screwed up by the scarring of 22 years of this irritating illness? And: is there anything that can be done? Do you wait until it completely closes up the innards to deal with it or what:

Anyone have experience with this? Thanks for any input. I can't decide whether to worry or not.

deleted_user 08/10/2010

Hi there and good morning,

I have plenty of scar tissue and the doctors say to me that there is nothing really to worry about and that it is just part and parcel of having a bowel disease (i like to think of it as my bowel is in dis - ease, rather than being diseased) What the hospital have said to me is being on the right medication will give your bowel rest bite and will avoid anymore scar tissue being created. Diet is important, although i have crohns and struggle to eat all the things i am meant to, and avoid all the things i'm not. I would suggest you asking your doctor to refer you to see a dietician as that might help you, as some yummy good foods need to be avoided, like skins on tomatoes, grapes, apples and broccoli funny enough. I also get very tired, a way i try to combat this is by eating little and often, if i eat a large meal i will be asleep in no time.

I hope i have helped a little.

Good luck at the doctors and i hope your feeling better.

deleted_user 08/10/2010

I am not sure that this is the correct answer about scar tissue, but let me say that I was also told I have plenty of scar tissue after having the disease for 39 years. My doc told me there was plenty and I just assumed that was a good thing because it meant that area had healed itself- just as you might have a scar on your leg or arm after the scab falls off. the doc told me this abouit 5 years ago after I had a colonoscopy and I always thought that it was a good thing! I think that if your not absorbing nutrients it would be because you might have some active disease somewhere else along the intestinal track. I don't know, but right now I wouldn't worry about the scar tissue.

tiredoldgal 08/10/2010

Thanks for the reassurance. I do have an active patch of uc right now so that is probably what the problem is.

I saw a dietician many years ago and have followed her advice for many years. I will add this was against the advice of my gastro dr. at the time because he insisted diet played no part. (dumba$$)

Both replies helped soothe my fears. I have known for about 10 years that I have a section of scar tissue that just about closes my colon when I am in a severe flare that involves that area and I panicked when he mentioned the "extensive" scarring last week.

I had not thought of scars in the way you mentioned, sheila. Thanks for the input. Very much appreciated.

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