How bad to undergo surgery???

[BEWELL*SWEETIE]

If symptoms are not great just on and off , hard or pencil stools, constipated for few days or hard to push.....symptoms seems annoying but looks like its livableI have tried every med on earth!Could we push it through or Do you think it's time for surgery???

 

[Nyx]

If you wind up not going for over a week, I'd be concerned. I went 8 days, and then perforated my sigmoid colon and distended my bowel trying to go, and wound up with a permanent colostomy (which turned out to be the best thing ever, btw!). Like anything, if you're concerned about it, go see your doctor. Even if you think it's only a small thing...

 

[BEWELL*SWEETIE]

I feel or maybe i'm just trying to persuade myself - these are more symptoms of IBS than my crohns- I'm afraid if at this point I elect surgery I will regret later on.....

 

[Cookie]

If your stools are consistantly pencil thin, then you may have a partial blockage. But if they tend to vary in size, then you are right, this is a typical symptom of IBS. I would definitely talk to your doctor about things. Have you had a recent colonoscopy? I don't think that most doctors will recommend surgery unless the source of your problems has been definitively determined by scope, especially if you say your symptoms are "livable". At the end of the day, it's something that you and your doctor have to decide together. No one can force you to have surgery if you don't really feel you need it, but you should definitely be aware of your situation and what can happen if you don't. Talk to your doc!

 

[tiloah]

I would think in your case since your symptoms are "atypical" it would be more important to gauge by how much damage there is than try to determine how bad your symptoms are. Have you had any imaging studies? Have you had a colonoscopy? These are important tools in determining treatment including surgery.

 

[BEWELL*SWEETIE]

in 2009 I had a colonscopy,small bowel series and my crohns couldn't be determined then after having a capsule endoscopy(which was stuck...)I was finally diagnosed.
A year ago I had a bad flare and took a CT scan which showed inflammation....but after a year I tried every med on earth from prednisone, humira,6mp and remicade(which i'm currently on)......things are starting to improve-I took a small bowele series again which basically only showed a narrowing about 1ft long or more... but I still wasn't feeling perfect, My doc claims we tried all meds already from here on nothing will improve and if i'm still not feeling perfect he would advise surgery.However it's my decision whether to do it or not.....