Running out of options...surgery?

[KayleighMeek]

running out of options...surgery?

So I am at the moment on fourtnightly humira and have just finished re-doing my loading doses and things seem to be going ok feeling better than I did.
I went to my GI and am now being put up to weekly humira to try and sort out the last few issues I have. Whilst I was there he said to keep in mind surgery, which doesn't bother me too much at the moment because I thought one day it might happen. He didn't go into any more details than that but he did say that they were worried that this medication might not work/last very long as I have tried all of my other options and nothing lasted very long (longest was 6 months on remicade).

So just been on my mind and wondering if there is anyone else out there who exhausted all medications and had to have surgery? What type of surgery did you have? and has it helped you?

I really want to stay well and fingers crossed the humira will do that it just seems that everyone around me has doubts.

Thank you in advance for any replies this site is always so helpful

 

[KayleighMeek]

Ok.... So anyone with crohn's colitis what surgery did you have if you have had it? Just looking for any advice or experience from someone.

 

[Sha0913]

I had a small bowel resection when I was 20, I had 1/2 of my small intestine, all of my colon and most of my rectum removed. I dont have a bag and i felt wonderful for about 7 years afterwards until I had my 4th child and after my 4th child it sent me into a horrible flare and now I'm getting better and feeling well on remicade. Hope this helps a bit, Shannon

 

[Karissa]

I tried everything- steroids, pentasa, 6MP, and cimzia. Surgery was my only option left. I had an illectomy a year and a half ago where they removed my ileum and ileocecal valve. I have a two inch scar in the middle of my abdomen and two tiny scars farther down. Since, surgery, I feel better than I ever have. Yes, it might come back, but all of the pain and trauma of surgery was completely worth it to feel so amazing. Everyone's bodies are different, but surgery was the right choice for me. I haven't had a flare-up for almost a year! Good luck Kayleigh!

 

[KayleighMeek]

Thank you for replying it's nice to know what other people go through and how much it has helped. Gives me an idea of what I can expect not to worried about it when the doc mentioned it I expected it anyway. Hopefully the humira will work for a bit longer hopefully until the end of October, after I get back of my holiday.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Kayleigh - There are tons of us out here that have had surgeries, resections, ostomies, etc. I am not sure what the options are for Crohns colitis - if it's a resection or a colectomy. In either case, like Karissa said, you will likely find that the surgery is worth it because you feel so much better after you have recovered! In many cases, surgery can lead to years of remissions.

I have had four surgeries so far for my Crohns - actuallly 3 while I was dx as Ulcerative Colitis and this last one after I was re-dx with Crohns. I would do every single one of them over again - no regrets!

I hope the Humira works for you, but if you do end up needing surgery, I hope it's an easy one and offers you lots of relief.

- Amy