My life with Crohn's

[Caneruler]

I'm 35 years old and have been living with Crohn's for 25 years. I had my first bowel resection of the terminal illium when I was 11. Since then I have been on everything from Prednisone, Asacol, Pentasa, and most recently Remicade. I have my good days and my days. My good years and bad years.

The last 12 months have not been all that good. I was hospitalized last December with an acute flare up. My GI doctor told me last week that I have a stricture that requires surgery. I'm nervous and frustrated to be going through this again. I hope that I have a speedy recovery and can resume normal activity as quickly as possible.

 

[Franners]

Hello and Welcome,
I'm sorry to hear that you have to have more surgery and like myself are nervous about it.
I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.

 

[David]

Hi Caneruler and welcome to the community. Tough blow on the stricture, I'm very sorry

Where is the stricture located? Near where your last surgery was?

Are they going to keep you on the Remicade and adjust your dose or interval or switch you to another medication?

Again, welcome! We're here anytime you need us.

 

[Caneruler]

The stricture is located where my last resection took place where my small intestine and colon meet. I'm not sure what the treatment plan post-op will be. I hope to continue the Remicade as soon as it is safe to. I don't tolerate any other meds well. I'm currently taking Hydrocodone which helps with pain and slows my bowels down. I'm also on a high protein diet and take several supplements.

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear that you having to have another surgery, unfortunately it does seem to be the case for most that once you have had one you will need another at some point I will be keeping fingers crossed that this can get you back to a good place afterwards though. Out of interest what supplements do you take?

AB
xx

 

[Caneruler]

Fruitzfestiv and VeggieFestiv

Thanks. I take FruitFestiv and VeggieFestiv which provide me with daily vitamins I would normally get from fruits and veggies along with the digestive enzymes. I also take a multivitamin, iron, potassium, calcium w/D3, omega 3, and a probiotic. I try to eat 5-6 small meals a day which consist of a lot of protein including shakes.

 

[StaceyQ]

hey welcome to the forum x

sorry to hear about your up coming surgery x x

 

[Caneruler]

I'm waiting to meet with surgeon as we speak. I guess he specializes in laparoscopic surgery. I'm worried that they may have to remove some of my large bowel too.

 

[Caneruler]

Things didn't go so well this morning with the surgeon. I had been told in advance that he was "the best". However, it seems that he didn't feel comfortable operating on me. No real reason other than he didn't feel that he would get favorable results? WTF? Now I am searching for a surgeon that will take my case while I continue to suffer. I am losing all faith and confidence in doctors.

 

[Angrybird]

Oh hun that's awful, had you been warned previously that something about your case is complicated?