Yesterday I was given the choice of surgery or remicade. I have chosen to go the surgery route and have been put back on prednisone while I wait. Do you think I made the right decision? A bit of background:
I have narrowing in my ileum and keep getting partial blockages. I also have two small fistulas (One between my small intestines and one between my large intestines). The affected section is only about 5 centimetres long (about 2 inches). I have been in this flare for over a year. I have tried Budesonide, Prednisone and Imuran. The only thing that works is the prednisone and only at high doses.
My reasons for choosing the surgery are: it is such a small portion, I have a feeling that if I tried the remicade I would end up back in this same boat anyway, and the thought of getting infusions every six weeks is not appealing to me. If the surgery doesn't work, I may end up on remicade anyway, but I want to give this a try at least.
I have narrowing in my ileum and keep getting partial blockages. I also have two small fistulas (One between my small intestines and one between my large intestines). The affected section is only about 5 centimetres long (about 2 inches). I have been in this flare for over a year. I have tried Budesonide, Prednisone and Imuran. The only thing that works is the prednisone and only at high doses.
My reasons for choosing the surgery are: it is such a small portion, I have a feeling that if I tried the remicade I would end up back in this same boat anyway, and the thought of getting infusions every six weeks is not appealing to me. If the surgery doesn't work, I may end up on remicade anyway, but I want to give this a try at least.