Thank you sunasea!! Prayers are always welcome. Thank you so much.
mitdad,
Wow!! 23 surgeries? I can't even imagine, but so glad to hear you're doing much better. And I am so, so sorry to hear about your wife. But it sounds like you two had a great life together. and based on your name (MIT), I'm assuming you have at least one child to be super proud of!
Yeah, I'm tired of being on all of these medications. The side effcts are no fun! Thank you so much for sharing your story and the advice.
Thank you Looking66! I appreciate you sharing your story. I'm so sorry you didn't have a choice in this- it must've been so hard to have it thrust on you.
Thanks tcfolsom! I'm so sorry to hear that you dealt with so much for so long, but so happy to hear that you feel free! Honestly, that's what I'm looking forward to. So far I've worked with 6 GI's, the last two were the most thorough and long-lasting. The first 4 were while I was moving around for school. None have been able to help. After researching for about a year and hearing everything this community has had to say, I feel confident in my decision- as long as the surgeon doesn't tell me no. Being free sounds so nice!
Hi zanzi1! Thank you so much for sharing your story! I'm so sorry to hear that you went through so much. I can't even imagine having to deal with more than just the UC. I definitely feel a connection to your story. I too pushed through school and a relationship, got married a few years ago. I agree- why should I keep forcing myself to suffer everyday when I have the option to, in a way, cure myself of the disease?! I understand that the ostomy comes with it's own learning curve and possible challenges...but it sounds so freeing!
Thank you bemused! I really appreciate your response and willingness to share such private information! Congratulations on getting through breast cancer! What a thing to survive through! And now you're going to survive UC! I would absolutely love if you wouldn't mind sharing your experience through prepping, having, and recovering from surgery. It would definitely be helpful for me to get an "inside scoop" if you will.
The meds they put us on for UC and Crohn's are quite fascinating. I've been on Humira, Simponi, and Entyvio in terms of immunosuppressants. Have also been on Prednisone (devil drug) and Uceris (completely messed my menstrual cycle up and hasn't been the same years later). My mom is having the hardest time with my likely decision to have surgery. And what I've tried to explain is that all of the meds I've been on have insane side effects. I just think the actual surgery and taking out an organ is what's causing her so much stress.
I wish you all of the best! Good luck on your surgery. I would love to be kept in the loop, if you don't mind.
TadKapa,
Thank you for your response! I'm so sorry you didn't have a choice with this, but I am happy to hear you're doing pretty well. I definitely expect quite the learning curve and adjustment period if I wind up with a colostomy or ileostomy.
Hi Johnsonk2! My goodness, it sounds like you have been through so much! Your story is exactly why I'm worried about the J-pouch. The idea that you can go through surgery and this entire process, just to wind up having the same disease of the pouch is terrifying to me.
If you don't mind me asking- So you have to do Entyvio for the Crohn's in the pouch and live with an ostomy? I figured they could just remove the pouch if that didn't work? If that's not true, that might help me even more in deciding for the ostomy first.
Thank you so much for your response!
Hi pete b! Thank you so much for your response! What a scary thing to be told! You definitely didn't have much of a choice!
Yes, we have that here- it's called Remicade. It's the only biologic/immunosuppressant I haven't tried. I did Humira and Simponi injections at home first, now am on Entyvio infusions. Started at every 8 weeks, now having them every 4 weeks.
We do have CBD oil here, even regular old marijuana is legal now.
Thanks pietrzak for your response! I've never heard of the BCIR! I just looked it up and took note of it to mention to my Dr/Surgeon. I really do appreciate the information.
Thanks HeyHey for your response to the BCIR message! That's definitely a good point, about it possible being similar to the J-pouch. I included it on my list and will see what the Dr says. I definitely want to ride myself of UC as much as possible!
Thanks bonny! I appreciate the response. I work in a hospital and have heard of FMT. Mainly we use it for cdiff or other infections since it's about introducing good bacteria into the GI tract. But I'll definitely do som research about it's use with UC patients. Thank you!
I would love to know what you find out about FMT. It sounds like such a natural way to deal with this. I really have issues with taking meds, all chemicals. I agree that Prednisone is a devil drug. It has lifelong ramifications and in my case basically offered short term relief. I'm so happy I don't have to think about this anymore. I just was to point out something. Anytime you leave part of your intestine as with the jpouch you're still leaving tissue that can be attacked by your immune system.
Hi Ruppy
I also had UC for about 13 years. In the later years it was just a continual flare up until I was on prednisone full time which caused even more complications. I was in hospital more than at home, having IV steroids to try and keep the bleeding under control. I was a single mum at the time with a 6 year old son. I couldn't play with him, I had to try and time going to his school in between the many trips to the toilet each day. I lived in constant fear that my bowel would perforate as this had happened to my great grandfather who had also had UC (back in the days before all the drugs we have now were available)
The prednisone caused me to get Osteoporosis and I could hardly walk. My doctor told me if I continued like this I would be in a wheel chair by aged 40. I was 36 at the time. I had two options given to me, surgery or one last even stronger drug with numerous side afects. Really hard decision to make - even when you are really sick. All the questions you are asking I also asked. You are so lucky to have a supportive husband. You will need him after the surgery as I won't lie, it is very painful for a while. But slowly as you recover from the surgery you realise how much better your life is. No more drugs to take, no more running to the toilet or being afraid to go out in case you have an accident. Don't wait until you are too sick as the recovery time from the surgery is longer if you are sick beforehand.
I am one of the lucky ones. After the surgery I was told pre cancerous cells were found in my intestine - I don't have to worry about that now as it is all removed including my rectum so I can never have a J Pouch. Life is different with an ileostomy but I do not regret it. Once you work out how to manage it - your nurse will help you with this - and get over the feeling that everyone knows you have a bag , you will feel so much better and wil be able to enjoy life
Good luck it's a journey but is worth it in the end.
Hi Ruppy08,
I suffered from UC for 28 years until colon cancer caused me to have my surgery. UC was a nightmare without question. Some drugs helped, most didn't, the only one that consistently helped was prednisone.
I'm 30 months cancer free, so I got that going for me.
As for my stoma and all that goes with care of it, here is my take:
It simply moved my "problems" of incontinence, skin irritation, smell, etc, etc to a more convenient location. I suffer from equipment failures on a regular basis, skin irritation, terrible gas, bloating and so on, just as I did before. Quite literally the only real difference in my life is where the mess ends up. I still carry extra clothing with me nearly everywhere I go and I carry extra bags/barriers etc on any outing longer than a few hours.
I could hide my UC if needed. Like you I'd skip meals before important events (not the extreme you mentioned) and I used to go to the bathroom dozens of times a day to help avoid problems. Instead today I findmyself emptying the bag a dozen times a day, havign to burp it another dozen times a day, changing the bags at best every two days, often daily and more often in the middle of the night due to failures, even if/when I have new bag/barrier/etc in place hourse before bed.
Now, don't think any of this has ever stopped me. It hasn't. I race cars for a hobby and was a professional race car mechanic for nearly 20 years. I've never let this crap (pun intended! haha) stop me from living. My friends have always known what was up, by not hiding things I've been able to live my life. In all these years the only time I had to not do something as planned was from bag/barrier failure, not incontinence.
What to take from this: Hell if I know! :) I just know my experience has not been all rosy and grand like so many others and I think its important for you to go into this eyes wide open. From the reaserch I did after the fact (my bad, I stupidly took my surgeons word for everything) is that there are two camps: Success and life is better or Fail and life is the same or worse.
If you go forward I hope you end up in the Success catagory. Good luck!
bryan
I wouldn’t say constant pain, but definitely pain every time I use the restroom and then abdominal pain off and on throughout the day.
Than you bryancohnracing! I appreciate your honest response. I am so glad to hear that you're cancer free- congratulations!, but so sorry to hear about the issues with your bag that you have been dealing with! That is definitely one thing that I am afraid of- that I'll wind up with the same issues, just in a different location. However, I really like what you said at the end. I feel like if I don't try, then I'll always wonder...and who knows, maybe it will work out. And if I do try and it doesn't work out, at least I tried.
| NJ Bain wrote: |
| Miss Nicole, There are so many factors to consider with having ostomy surgery. Definitely continue to do your research and that includes finding a good surgeon and an ET nurse. Several of the members here had to have emergency ostomy surgery and a lot of us chose it electively. I myself chose to have the surgery at 23 years old. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease at age 14 and attempted to manage it with medications until I couldn't take it anymore. In and out of the hospital for flare ups, 6 different types of medication 3-4 times a day, no social life, school was hell and working was even worse. Luckily, I had a job that worked with me and there were no issues. The internet was just becoming popular so there was no real way of finding information other than support groups, doctors, ET nurses, etc. But now, you can look up anything and everything there is to know about ostomies. I was stuck in the hospital for over a month due to abscesses but everything was SOOOO much better. I no longer had to be on medication for Crohns, I was no longer in pain or had to worry about not making it to the bathroom in time. It gives your sense of control back. After a few months, I was better than my old self. It sounds like if you elected to have the surgery, you would probably get an ileostomy. They would perform a total or subtotal collectomy to remove your colon. The stoma would probably be on the right side of your abdomen. Out of the hospital in 1-2 weeks, back to normal after about 4-6 months depending on how well/fast you recover. That is best case scenario. You also have to confer with your husband. How will he feel about you having the appliance. All in all, you have to do what's best for you. I'd be happy to share any other information with you. If you have any questions, please let us know. Bain That was very supportive, Bain. Good for you! Jennie |
