I'm in the same boat.. I'm going with the Jpouch because if it doesn't work for me I can go to a permanent illeostomy (it wouldn't be a colostomy since all of my colon is being removed). However, if I go for the illeostomy and then decide later I want to try the Jpouch my doc said he wouldn't be able to do it because of all the scar tissue that fills in the abdominal cavity. He said getting through all that scar tissue would be virtually impossible. So, for this reason my hubby and I thought why not try the Jpouch and see how she behaves for me first. This is all the experience I can offer because my surgery has been postponed due to bureaucratic BS (paperwork issue). Your surgeon should be able to give you all the pros and cons of both and then you'll need to decide what you can live with and what you can't. Best of luck!!

A friend of mine always recommends http://www.j-pouch.org/
Also, the Cleveland Clinic is known as the best hospital for jpouch surgery. http://cle.clinic/1QCxgGJ

I've had a J Pouch since 1988. But unlike you everything failed me at the end. I was even injecting Cortisone, which is a steroid and that didn't work. Now I'm sorry I gave up the fight and wish I could have kept my colon. J Pouches are a very rough ride. I just wish I could get my colon back or die already. If I had no feelings I'd be better off with a colostomy. In fact a friend of mine who had a j pouch had to switch to a colostomy after she was involved in a bad accident. She too hated her pouch and is happier with the colostomy now.

Hi , I agree with Ted , once you loss it you can't never get it back again ,
I'm living with UC since 1984 , it was very hard at the beginning, J Punch damaging social life, relationships and more, fortunately there are lost of new medication out and can help people living with UC or Crohn's . I'm on strong pain killer is helping me a lot for my joints, is prescribed by my GI doctor, and also im a watching my diet very much, avoiding many foods and drinks. specially sugar and fried foods also stress .
I wish you happy and healthy life ,
God less.
sorry for my crappy typing.

Sorry I can't give any advice about which surgery to go with, I have been lucky enough to get relief from meds and diet,
I just wanted to wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide!
God bless and choose carefully! Get all the facts and read as much as you can.
Hugs

I had surgery 4 years ago. I have an ileostomy. I have no major problems with it. Of course I wish I never had the miserable disease of crohns. I have been in remission since the surgery. So I am very grateful for that.
Dolores

I too am sorry to hear you are at this stage. I've lucked out also, after 15 years of prednisone and many other meds. just short of biologicals.
I have been doing well for a year now with colon intact.

First of all I am new to this so bare w/me please. I am so sorry that your going through this I was very sick 2 yrs ago, I kept telling my GI Doc that I felt as if I was dying, my colonoscopy in Aug 2013 showed server inflammation in rectum with deep ulcerations as well as the sigmoid. He started me on high doses of prednisone and mesalamine, this didn't help, he added 6mp so many side effects, He tried me on 9 different drugs as well as to different biological remi and cimcizem. all failed. I was so sick and weak to the point I couldn't even open my med bottles. In Aug of 2014 he ordered a ct scan after I kept telling him for 9 mths that I throwing up and I also couldn't pea, my poo was dribbles of blood and mucosa, I had I am assuming really bad rectal hemorides, the ct sca showed the descending and sigmoid was collapsed and therefor difficult to asses, but the GI said it was fine. After I demanded the GI to actually look at my bottom he finally got me into a Colorectal surgeon I had to have my colon rectum removed I have an ileostomy life is slowly getting better but you will need a since of humor, My surgeon said my rectum sigmoid and anus was damaged so bad from all the inflammation I had no choice but surgeon, my surgeon tried me on a 30 day suppositories that had steroids and antibiotic that failed he then tried to dilate my rectum that failed, so surgery it was. I lost a total of 89 pounds approximately within 6 month before my surgery I had the death look I was gray in color and many other sever issues, like skin
ulcers, muscle and joint pain hair loss I was so sick. I'll pray for u.

Debbie, it sounds like they tried to do everything they could to keep your colon. I hope you continue to improve and are able to enjoy good health.

rmb, thank you it has been a long and difficult battle, I was diagnosed w/crohn's almost 30 years ago, tried remicade 1 time and I went into remission for almost 18 years. About 2 almost 3 yrs ago I got sick and really just kept getting worse, I could write a book of things this diease affects your body that even the dr's don't recognize ,

Hey thanks to all for your responses. I'm pretty sure now that I will go with the Ileostomy. I'm actually excited and ready to feel good again. I would like to try and hold off until summer, so that I can manage the surgery and take time off from school. I l just hope I can keep things relatively under control until then. 40 mg's of Pred does nothing for me anymore. I've tried all the other drugs, either with severe reactions or nothing at all. ready to get off these drugs! I wish you all the best with whatever you may be going through. Be strong and positive and keep a sense of humor. Thanks again guys:)

Good luck with your surgery! :) I hope that you are able to make it until summer so that it works out with school for you. I can understand how you would be ready to feel good again. Especially if medications are just not working for you. I really hope that the illeostomy works well and makes you feel lots better.

You have such a good spirit about you. Attitude is so important when dealing with disease, surgery, etc. Hang in there and keep us updated on how you're doing.

Wishing you the best!

I wish you the best of luck with the surgery, hopefully all goes well for you and you'll finally get some relief.
My prayers are with you!

Surgery confidence booster:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3316022/Crohn-s-disease-sufferer-colon-removed-proudly-shows-ostomy-bag-recreating-Beyonce-s-7-11-music-video-underwear.html?ITO=applenews

Story includes a link to this young lady's blog which is really inspiring.