What is Crohns Disease Ulcerative Colitis
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 gastrointest...
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Considering Surgery??
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Hi everyone. Anybody out there considering surgery for Crohns or Colitis in the next few months?
I've had colitis for the past 25 years and have gone in and out of remission during that time as a result of various prescptions and dietary changes. (One of the maddening things about colitis is that drugs that used to work stop working and foods that didn't bother you suddenly become a problem.) For the past 5 years I have been unable to induce a remission even with drugs like Remicade and Humira. The only thing that "works" is prednisone.... and we all know the evil side of that drug! So my doctor is telling me it is time to consider taking out the colon. Bummer. I'm scared. I'm mad. I'm sad. And I'm hopeful. I'm hopeful for a normal life. A life without colitis. Anyone at the same crossroad? Anyone out there who has gone through the whole process? Any tips? Suggestions? Words of wisdom? Thanks Posted on 07/03/09, 11:07 am |
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Go MichDave!!! ~ keep us in the loop of how you are doing!! 
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hi just like to add my experience i have CD rather than UC but had an illeostomy in January as i was so ill i couldn't eat and when i did my body rejected it in a very violent manner!
So had op done and lived with a bag for 5months, just got on with it and started to live my life. Had the reversal in july and all went well- until recently. the pain has returned and i'm having to be very careful about what i eat, plus the trips to the bathroom have increased :-( I'm now back on Humira in the hope it will calm things down, i cant take Prednisone any more as they are scared of the damage my body has sustained from over usage! I wouldn't change having the op not at all but i just want you to know there can be further complications and it's not always the best idea. Just be sure of what you really want, surgery, in my opinion, should only be considered as a last resort. i wish you lots of luck x
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I had my colon removed at the age of 23. My doctors told me I had no choice that I could in fact die if I did not have the surgery. I had the surgery and now have an ileostomy.
It's a very hard decision that I was forced to make, made a little easier by the fact that I had little choice. I "shopped" surgeons (hard to do when you have no insurance) and found one who thought leaving my anus was ok. I chose her because she gave me hope for a J-pouch or something normalizing down the road. I have lost most of that hope since the surgery. However, I have never felt better. I have body image issues and I don't think that will ever go away. I guess my advice would be....see multiple doctors get several opinions. If you and they think your colon is too far gone, an ileostomy isn't the worst thing in the world. In fact it has saved my life in more ways then one.
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My son thought he was heading down the surgery path...did Remicade, did Humira, did lots of prednisone. He did the fecal transplant in Feb. because he thought he had nothing to lose by trying it (did it per enema and orally). Did just 2 doses and noticed something different within 24 hours. Has been symptom free ever since. Feels great and can't believe how he has a normal life back!
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