Surgery over remicade/infliximab?

[Marx]

Trying to push for surgery instead of infliximab which my doc is pushing for.

Just really confused!!!

I need to make a decision by tomorrow morning to go ahead with infliximab or to cancel and push for surgery.

Why does everyone say, put off surgery as long as you can? Clearly everyone feels better for a significant amount of time with surgery.

Very confused!

 

[KayleighMeek]

Hello
Sorry you are having a tough time.
Not all people have long remission after surgery and many still need to have medication after. I think people say try medication first as you only have so much bowel so you don't want to keep having repeated surgeries as this can cause complications. But saying this some people do well after surgery there is no easy answer unfortunatley.
If you aren't ready to make a decision yet tell the GI you don't want to rush into something you regret later on.
Wishing you luck with whatever choice you make

 

[ForeverCrohns]

Hey Marx

Surgery is a big decision it took me a month to decide and it was after I knew my stricture is scar tissue so I won't benefit from any medication.. What you need to know is that surgery might and might not keep you in remission for a long time, it all depends on the severity of your disease ... And even if you do surgery you might need to take meds to keep you in remission ..

So I suggest you ask your doctor all the questions about doing surgery vs not doing it and make sure you are feel convinced about what you decide .. You know yourself better and every one of us have different opinions on how we want to live. There is a helpful thread under surgery http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=27387

Wish you all the best

 

[Marx]

Thank you so much for your replies and well wishes.

It's just that I personally know someone who had surgery and he's been fine for 5 years now. Something I can only dream of. Me, I'm the type of person who hates taking drugs, so the less the better.

Unfortunately my flare up is so bad at the moment, I don't have much time to make a decision. I know I'll end up needing further surgery at some point. But if that means a few years of complete relief and not worrying. I think I'd prefer that to injections every 8 weeks that can cause effects.

 

[Marx]

Thanks for the link. Perfect questions for the surgeon.

 

[Marx]

Also, I only have inflammation which sometimes causes a narrowing. No fistulae or stricture or abscesses. But I've been bed bound for the last month and even admitted into hospital recently with no sign of getting better on pred and antibiotics. I hope I make the right choice. So many people saying surgery turned their life around.

Also I think mine would be done laparoscopically.

 

[2thFairy]

I have/had ulcerative colitis and have had my colon removed. For UC, removal of the colon is considered a cure (though I am not convinced just yet). However, for Crohn's, there is a great potential for recurrence and surgery is not recommended until absolutely necessary as there is only so much bowel that can be removed before you run into serious problems with nutritional absorption.

Having inflixamab infusions can be a pain in the sense of the time involved, but most people do well on Remicade with little or no side effects. I had no side effects other than being tired on the day of the infusion. It just stopped working for me after awhile.

Best wishes on making a decision. It's not an easy one.

 

[DustyKat]

Hey Marx,

Have a read of this thread...

Decision-making in ileocecal Crohn’s disease management: surgery versus pharmacotherapy

...I hope it can provide with some answers. This summing up point may be of value for you if you fit the description:

• Patients with obstructive symptoms due to a fibrotic terminal ileum are best treated surgically.

Both of my children have had ileocaecal resections due to complications. They have both had excellent outcomes but as it has already been said, it is unpredictable as to what the outcome will be for you.

Good luck whichever path you find yourself on!

Dusty.

 

[Marx]

Thank you!!! Really good link!

I appreciate all your wishes.

This forum really makes you feel like you're not alone!