4th Colonoscopy and ulcerated narrowing

[Matt645]

I just got back from my 4th colonoscopy in 15 years, I opted to have it without any sedation at all as I wanted to see what was going on and to be honest it wasn't that uncomfortable, just a bloated feeling and sharp pains on the bends.

My Crohns has been in a sort of 3 month wave cycle since I was diagnosed, I never get a full blown flair but I never seem to get complete remission either.

Most of my colon is clear but the doc found quite severe narrowing near the top which in a way I'm glad of because it means a possibility of surgery at last! He's arranged a meeting for 2 weeks to discuss options which could involve other therepies but I'm thinking I'd like to have the section out and start again.

Anyone else had these options recently? Pros cons of each? What did you decide?

 

[archie]

Hi Matt, initially when I was diagnosed I had narrowing of a foot of TI, very quickly I developed an abscess and perforation which contained itself and therefore didn't need emergency surgery. However the surgeons said it would eventually be the only outcome.

Long story short I kept putting it off and they kept telling me I needed it, eventually enough was enough they wouldn't take me off the pred until I had surgery due to the fibrosed tissue which was never going to heal with meds. I had an ilio-cecal resection with just over 1 ft removed and have felt back to normal for months. I now am starting to get a few niggles and there are a few ulcers back at the resection site. I'm not on any meds but have a feeling I'm heading for some to keep me good, however i really really don't want to go there but I'll not be silly about it either. For me the surgery was great and I can understand your queries it is a discission not to be taken lightly but for me I had no other option but it was a success. Good luck and if you wannt any more info just ask.

 

[xJillx]

Hi Matt. I haven't come to this situation yet, but from my research, surgery usually should be the last option. However, if there is significant narrowing, perhaps surgery is the way to go. What other options did your doctor mention? Have you tried either Humira or Remicade, yet? Both drugs have helped so many.

But of course, there are pros and cons to each option, and only you can decide what's best for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Matt645]

Hi Matt. I haven't come to this situation yet, but from my research, surgery usually should be the last option. However, if there is significant narrowing, perhaps surgery is the way to go. What other options did your doctor mention? Have you tried either Humira or Remicade, yet? Both drugs have helped so many.

But of course, there are pros and cons to each option, and only you can decide what's best for you. Good luck and keep us posted.

Those drugs maybe the other options he mentioned, because we have free healthcare in the UK we need to reach a certain threshold before we can have the more expensive drugs, I think my crohns has just reached that threshold.

I'm not squeamish so I'll go with whatever the doc suggests.