Hello,
This is my first post, but I have been reading many stories/experiences throughout this forum. It is nice to know I am not alone!
First, my story: On Dec 2, 2013 I started to feel a strange pain in my lower right abdomen. After it had not subsided by the weekend, I decided it was best to go to the ER and to get it checked out. After a CT scan, I was told it was an abscess growing near my terminal ileum, most likely caused by Crohn's disease. This was news to me! The abscess was not very large, so the doctor's put me on antibiotics (ciproflaxin and metronidozal) and sent me on my way. I scheduled a follow-up appointment with a gastro doctor ASAP, who then scheduled a colonoscopy and CT scan to get a grasp on what was happening in my intestines. A few weeks later, the colonoscopy revealed severe inflammation near the terminal ileum the doctor could not even get the camera past. The CT scan a few days later revealed the abscess had grown, and the doctor called and informed me that I need to go immediately to the ER to get it drained. I did as I was told, and had a drain in place for 5 days. The surgeon decided that it could be removed so I happily went to his office to remove it. I felt good, and was eating well. 4 days later, I feel the same pain back in my lower right abdomen. I knew what it was, so I go back to the hospital to have another CT scan performed to confirm. As suspected, the abscess has regrown, and another drain is placed. I have this drain in me for 10 days. Since I had it removed 7 days ago, I have felt fine besides some tenderness near the wound, which I expected.
In all, I have been on antibiotics (metronidozal and ciproflaxin) for 7 weeks. I have lost 15 pounds. This is a large amount as I was already lean at 145 pounds standing 6 feet tall. I have had 4 CT scans, 2 drains placed by CT scan, a colonoscopy, and an MRI and have spent a combined 9 days in the hospital since Dec 7th, 2013. Also, I am a 24 year old male, for what it's worth.
Throughout this process, I have been in discussion with my GI doctor and Surgeon. They both recommend I have the surgery ASAP in order to remove the diseased part of the intestines, and "move on from it". They will be removing 6-10 inches of intestines between the large and small, and will remove my appendix. The goal is to perform this laproscopically which will result in 7-10 days of recovery time. If they are forced to slice me open further, the recovery time shoots up to 4-6 weeks. I will then be placed on medicine to ensure there is no flare-up in that area.
The other option is to start a trial-and-error process of finding medicines that make me feel better, which may take some time.
I have never had surgery, so I am hesitant to quickly sign up for it. If I feel fine, why commit myself to several weeks of recovery time? I know that ~80% of people with Crohn's end up having some type of surgery, but I also know that this surgery is in no way a guarantee that further surgery will not be needed.
Is there anyone who was placed in a similar predicament. It would be nice to hear about those who chose either of these paths (medicine vs surgery). Thank you for your time.
This is my first post, but I have been reading many stories/experiences throughout this forum. It is nice to know I am not alone!
First, my story: On Dec 2, 2013 I started to feel a strange pain in my lower right abdomen. After it had not subsided by the weekend, I decided it was best to go to the ER and to get it checked out. After a CT scan, I was told it was an abscess growing near my terminal ileum, most likely caused by Crohn's disease. This was news to me! The abscess was not very large, so the doctor's put me on antibiotics (ciproflaxin and metronidozal) and sent me on my way. I scheduled a follow-up appointment with a gastro doctor ASAP, who then scheduled a colonoscopy and CT scan to get a grasp on what was happening in my intestines. A few weeks later, the colonoscopy revealed severe inflammation near the terminal ileum the doctor could not even get the camera past. The CT scan a few days later revealed the abscess had grown, and the doctor called and informed me that I need to go immediately to the ER to get it drained. I did as I was told, and had a drain in place for 5 days. The surgeon decided that it could be removed so I happily went to his office to remove it. I felt good, and was eating well. 4 days later, I feel the same pain back in my lower right abdomen. I knew what it was, so I go back to the hospital to have another CT scan performed to confirm. As suspected, the abscess has regrown, and another drain is placed. I have this drain in me for 10 days. Since I had it removed 7 days ago, I have felt fine besides some tenderness near the wound, which I expected.
In all, I have been on antibiotics (metronidozal and ciproflaxin) for 7 weeks. I have lost 15 pounds. This is a large amount as I was already lean at 145 pounds standing 6 feet tall. I have had 4 CT scans, 2 drains placed by CT scan, a colonoscopy, and an MRI and have spent a combined 9 days in the hospital since Dec 7th, 2013. Also, I am a 24 year old male, for what it's worth.
Throughout this process, I have been in discussion with my GI doctor and Surgeon. They both recommend I have the surgery ASAP in order to remove the diseased part of the intestines, and "move on from it". They will be removing 6-10 inches of intestines between the large and small, and will remove my appendix. The goal is to perform this laproscopically which will result in 7-10 days of recovery time. If they are forced to slice me open further, the recovery time shoots up to 4-6 weeks. I will then be placed on medicine to ensure there is no flare-up in that area.
The other option is to start a trial-and-error process of finding medicines that make me feel better, which may take some time.
I have never had surgery, so I am hesitant to quickly sign up for it. If I feel fine, why commit myself to several weeks of recovery time? I know that ~80% of people with Crohn's end up having some type of surgery, but I also know that this surgery is in no way a guarantee that further surgery will not be needed.
Is there anyone who was placed in a similar predicament. It would be nice to hear about those who chose either of these paths (medicine vs surgery). Thank you for your time.
