I have a diagnosis!

[Plittler]

Finally this morning I have a diagnosis! On the good side they ruled out cancer but on the downside I have been diagnosed with Crohn's so will be joining you lovely crohnies on here long term.
I will have a follow up appointment with my gastro consultant hopefully in the next few weeks to discuss in full as it was just a quick phone call this morning.
Does anyone know whether I will be put on medication?
I had a bowel resection 2 weeks ago which has got rid of all the current problem in my bowel but will I have to have medication still even if the rest of my bowel is healthy at the moment?
Thanks!

 

[ronroush7]

I am glad you finally know what is going on. I have Crohn's and was told I would be on medicine the rest of my life.

 

[JaimeM]

I would recommend always staying on the maintenance meds.. It will help you stay in remission and keep the remainder of your bowel healthy

 

[DEmberton]

Welcome to the disease! ;-)

They've been threatening me with Azathioprine ever since my resection, but haven't had any yet, though I'm starting to think I should have said yes last time.

Unfortunately it tends to come back where you had the resection. So they may wait a while, maybe until you have a 1 year colonoscopy, or they may want to start you on something preventative now.

 

[schwooters]

I would say it depends how your crohns develops.
I know some people with crohn who only need meds if they have a flare.
Some need meds all the time .
All the best to you

 

[Eridon2002]

I'm having a resection tomorrow. Afterwards I will be discussing medication options with my GI as to what meds I should go on.

 

[Crafty.Pie]

Well done. Glad you have a diagnosis now. Now you know what it is you can move forward x

 

[Grumpy]

Commisrulations on the diagnosis.:drink:

The meds question is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string ? ', I've been thinking about it for the last 30 years and don't even know the correct answer yet for me.

Ultimately, it is your decision but to guide that, I think it is important to think about what happened which led up to the resection...and it might not be a bad idea to ask about the bit that they took out (they will have sent if for analysis - was it inflamed, what did it look like, how did it smell...only joking about that last one) Did you need a resection as a result of inflammation or as a result of the healing (scar tissue) brought about by medication.

I'd leave reading about the side effects of the meds 'til last.

 

[Plittler]

I'm having a resection tomorrow. Afterwards I will be discussing medication options with my GI as to what meds I should go on.

Thanks for your reply I hope your surgery goes well today.

 

[Plittler]

Commisrulations on the diagnosis.:drink:

The meds question is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string ? ', I've been thinking about it for the last 30 years and don't even know the correct answer yet for me.

Ultimately, it is your decision but to guide that, I think it is important to think about what happened which led up to the resection...and it might not be a bad idea to ask about the bit that they took out (they will have sent if for analysis - was it inflamed, what did it look like, how did it smell...only joking about that last one) Did you need a resection as a result of inflammation or as a result of the healing (scar tissue) brought about by medication.

I'd leave reading about the side effects of the meds 'til last.

I have a lot of questions to ask my consultant as I'm still a little in the dark about the reasons for their decisions. I know there was a stricture there, ulceration and also a mass in the ileocaecal valve area but the surgery was a very quick decision. I got a phone call the day before the operation saying we are operating tomorrow. I think that was because they were worried it was cancerous. I was not on any previous medication, had just been going through different tests MRI, colonoscopy (2 within 3 weeks) and blood testing. I guess I will have to write down a long list of questions to ask my consultant. Previously I had been suffering with 'IBS' since around 16, I am now 34!
Thanks for your help.

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hey glad you have a dx but sorry its crohns. But least its not the big C . I had a stoma 2yrs ago on thursday 18th reversed 1yr ago in march. No meds up to now.. see gi nxt month and want to ask about that myself as i dont want this begger getting a hold again. To med or not to med that is the question ? Some docs say ye some say no . I cant decide if i should or not ...

 

[m86]

Welcome to the Crohn's zone!! Plittler!! Like ronroush7 I was also told I'd be medicated for the rest of my life. This is a great forum for support, comparing experiences. You ain't alone!

 

[Grumbletum]

Hello fellow Crohnie. The positive side of a diagnosis is at last being able to get/do things to get better. Be prepared for low days too as it all sinks in.
The med thing is a toughie. After my resection, my gastro said no point being on maintenance as nothing had worked before.
I was pleased really after a year of popping pills, but at the same time there was the thought that maybe I should be on something that might stop it come back.
Well it has come back and brought a friend. The Crohn's is mild so I'm on Pentasa which I haven't had before so we'll see if I'm drug resistant or not.
Wishing you as smooth a Crohn's journey as possible.

 

[ronroush7]

Hello fellow Crohnie. The positive side of a diagnosis is at last being able to get/do things to get better. Be prepared for low days too as it all sinks in.
The med thing is a toughie. After my resection, my gastro said no point being on maintenance as nothing had worked before.
I was pleased really after a year of popping pills, but at the same time there was the thought that maybe I should be on something that might stop it come back.
Well it has come back and brought a friend. The Crohn's is mild so I'm on Pentasa which I haven't had before so we'll see if I'm drug resistant or not.
Wishing you as smooth a Crohn's journey as possible.

Amen

 

[fuzzy butterfly]

Hi Eridon, hope all has gone well and smoothly with your op and you are feeling ok. Let us know how you are when you can. Best wishes for a speedy recovery :hug :