Should I have surgery?

[clareabelle]

Hi everyone!

I am so pleased to have finally found somewhere with so much support!

I have been diagnosed for 4 years, and up until January, even though I've had times when I've not been that well, I had been very lucky to avoid hospital...but how things change!

I'd not been feeling great for a couple of months before christmas, I had had 2 short courses of Pred over christmas/new year.

A day into the new year I was at work, vomitting, doubled up in pain and unable to drive home. I got to see a GP that night who said I had a water infection and gave me 3 days of anti biotics, by day 2 I was admitted to hospital with suspected apendicitus!?!

The day after the surgery team had decided it was my Crohn's playing up after all and they would need to operate, I was there for 6 days with different tests and by the day I was sent home they had told me that they wouldn't need to operate this time round but would need to review it. My Gastro consultant has reviewed it this week and they still want to, I don't know what to do. I have to see a surgeon in 4 weeks.

It's at the illeum, i'm on a reducing dose of Pred (3 a day from tomorrow) and have been on Asa and Pentasa since diagnosis. I got myself reffered to a dietician and I'm just starting the LOFFLEX diet.

I suppose I'd like to know if it's a good thing to have a piece taken out? How likely would it be to need more surgery in the future? Is it the start of a slippery slope? Help!!!!

I'd love to hear what you think!

Clareabelle xxx

 

[mommy1st]

I agree, if it will improve your life then do it. I have had 4 bowel resections and I am only 29 years old, but I would do them all again in a heart beat. My most recent was 2/9/09 and I feel wonderful already. If they think that it will be a simple resection then I would really consider it. Good Luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[daisy_dueller]

I had a resection done in November (12 inches of small intestine removed, and 1cm of my colon), it was an emergency surgery, but it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I'm not 100%...but man, I feel better than I have since I was 12 years old (I'm 26 now). So, I guess if your GI is recommending surgery, I would go for it...there are complications that can arise because of surgery, obviously, but if it gives me even a year of remission, I will be so happy. i would have much rather had it be an elective procedure though, rather than forced...but beggars can't be choosers I guess

 

[danman]

I agree with everyone above. It's a drastic action, but, if the docs didn't think you need it, they wouldn't give you the option.

My surgeries have vastly improved my life, small bit of pain, for long term gain.

 

[clareabelle]

Some great words of advice, thanks everyone. I have my surgeons appointment in 3 weeks time so i'll let you know how I get on. I've got to get some questions together to ask him. In the meantime i'll be working my way through the Lofflex diet.......i'll let you know.

 

[jamie2462]

when in doubt...

everyone is right, if one piece gets bad enough you don't really have a choice but hopefully you can go quite a while (years) before you may or may not need another surgery.

For Crohn's patients tho, it's pretty much a given that you and the OR will meet at some point or a couple in our lives. :smile:

 

[clareabelle]

Hello! Thought I would send a quick update! After a long wait I had surgery two months ago. It was a Laproscopic proceedure which mean't it wasn't too invasive. I was in the hospital for 5 days.

Things are going ok but when I went back to have a check up they told me that I would now need to be on Questran, something to do with Bile production, for the rest of my life because of the section that I had removed-it was news to me but Ok. I've also been really tired since the Op when I thought I might have more energy. I'm seeing a nutritionist now who has asked me to stop eating wheat and dairy which I think has helped. I want to do all I can to keep me out of hospital! It was definately the right choice for me though, thank you for all of your advice. xxxx

 

[merrywidow]

i had a stoma nearly 5years ago and i have never ever regretted it. it was the best thing i have ever done

 

[D.Soami]

Should I have surgery

Hello girls, this is La La again and I am letting you guys know that I have posted 9 or 10 proposals on guru and wanted to know have u guys ever did that? Have you ever worked and got responses from guru or elance or what about odesk? Let me know if u guys ever gotten any responses there. I need help here thanks.