Surgery to remove part of colon due to a small blockage

[ILUVBUDWSR]

I have been a member for awhile but don't post a whole lot because most of what others experience with crohns my comments would just mirror theirs.

However, after a recent flare up my doctor put me on Prednisone and Humira. With this round of Humira I did'nt have to do a "loading dose" but rather 40mg injections every two weeks. In the previous few weeks I've had a CT scan, small bowel follow-through (yup,had to drink the chalky stuff), and a colonoscopy. The day of the Colonoscopy he told me that im going to need surgery to have part of my colon removed due to a small blockage.

I've already had one previous surgery for a Perirectal abcess and that was not fun at all and I still have problems with it to this day and that was in 07. I have ALOT of pain in my rectum and on my left side of my stomach. I have no pain coming from the right side at all which is the side they want to do the surgery on. The doctor told me that once this surgery is done the pain from my rectum should go away. Im having trouble beliving that because its in a different part of the tract in which the want to remove. I met with the surgeon today and he told me that there is a good chance that I may have no control over my bodily functions after the surgery is preformed which really bothers me because I am still very young.

After leaving the surgeons office today I called and made an appointment with another GI doctor to get a second opinion. The reasons I did that is simple. One being, letting someone cut on yout that will have that kind of effect is MAJOR. Number two, I find it hard to belive that he is not willing to let the Humira take time to work to see if it will settle my Crohns down long enough to prevent from having this proceedure. When I was on the Humira injections last time it took them 3 or 4 months before I honestly saw a big difference and knew they were working AND I TOLD HIM THIS.

My question is; Am I making the right decision here by putting this off until I can see another GI doc? I know a blockage can be serious buisness but so is a "life altering surgery".
I would really like to hear from you guys and gals who have had similar experiences to see if im choosing the right path here.

 

[Jessica]

I've never had surgery, abcess, fistula... none. My doc and I are talking about how I might need surgery soon because my scar tissue is beginning to cause a blockage. WHEN the point comes that I need surgery... I'll probably get a second opinion. It would depend on how much I believed & trusted my doctor at that point, if I shared his opinion, and if I exhausted every other option that could help.

1 vote for a second opinion.
<3

 

[CDDad]

Yes, I think you are wise to get a 2nd opinion. Do you have your records and photos from the Colonoscopy? If not, get them, it might be more clear when you read that.

Also, I'm not sure why a colon resection would affect your anal function. Unless, they are planning to operate on that too. Is this "small blockage" in your rectum?

 

[Silvermoon]

I have been a member for awhile but don't post a whole lot because most of what others experience with crohns my comments would just mirror theirs....

I too am dealing with abcesses, fitulas, Humira, prednisone, etc... so speaking of "mirrors...lol

However, I have had three resections already, so my choice this time is for a reversable colostmy as the meds have decided to take a break and not work for awhile...

So I hear ya on the choices... not an easy one to make. DEFINITELY go with the second opinion... this is YOUR body... you know what it is doing... and you know what you are comfortable with as far as treatment. If it was me, I would get the second opinion mostly to find out more information about the "blockage"... where is it, how bad, is it possible it will resolve or is it a bit of scar tissue that has built up from previous surgery/inflammation? It that case, it may not resolve on it's own, but maybe something "simpler" can be done as far as removal.

If you are comfortable holding off until you get your second opinion, I would. It will help put your mind at ease that you DO know your body and you ARE making the right decisions.

Wishing you well.....

 

[Jennifer]

Everyone who has a surgery of this type is in danger of losing bowel function because the surgeon never knows what to expect until they get in there. People are always told the worst case scenario so they can prepare for the worst.

As far as your blockage goes, I don't know how much danger you are in and its not something that should be taken lightly as you know. If you want a second opinion then fine but it will take some time and in the meantime I'd hope that you would use the emergency room at your disposal because the blockage could get worse at anytime so watch out for worsening symptoms such as increased pain, vomiting etc.

 

[BLM]

I definatly think your doing the right thing, a second opinion is always a good thing. If your obstructed, youd be pretty sick....or getting there atleast. I would definately move quickly to the ER if things do progress with vomiting, severe pain, fever, ect. Otherwise if you can wait for that second opinion, I would do so. I had surgery a few months ago, don laprscopically and they were able to clear my blockage without cutting my intestines out....so I was greatful for that. So hopefully if you do have to have surgery it will be minor with a quick recovery

 

[Nica]

I agree with just about everything everyone else has said. If you feel you can wait till you get in to a new GI doctor without causing serious damage to yourself then get a second opinion.

I would also say, it seems to me you dont really trust your doc, maybe you would do well to look for a new Gi so you can be comfortable. I think having true and open communication with your doctors is key in this disease. Also knowing your doctor will care for you the best way he knows goes along way with me. I Have had the same GI doc about 10 years now. I have gone to others for insurance changes etc, but always come back to Dr Borislow. I find him to be a wonderful doctor who I trust. I think thats what you need at this point in your life.

 

[glum chump]

I, too, agree with what everyone says. I saw a surgeon last week because I've failed all medications and my GI thinks that I need to consider surgery. I also have a lot of perianal fistulas, abscesses and rectal fissures. I haven't required surgery for them, but I have a revolving door on the antibiotic supply.

Like you, I had a lot of questions, particularly a lot of things that didn't make sense to me. I wrote down all my questions before I went to see the surgeon and wrote down his answers (my memory sucks and sometimes I think I'm understanding something, but I come home and I'm not sure if I'm remembering things correctly!). I had to get him to wait for me while I wrote things down. The surgeon I saw was quite clear that the illeostomy he was suggesting is a major surgery and that I should take time to consider whether I was ready for it. My GI has also been supportive around saying that it's my body and I should be able to make whatever decision I was comfortable with. The only problem with not having any choices is that at some point, the 'choice' of surgery may not be a 'choice,' and I'll end up in Emerg and have to deal with what comes at that point.

While I felt good about the surgeon I saw, I will still be getting a second opinion before I make my final decision about surgery. In January, I have an appointment with another surgeon and I've asked my GI to provide all my documentation to this other person. My only hope is that I'll still be in a position to have surgery be my "choice," rather than something that has been imposed on me because I've waited too long.

Good luck with the decision making...I've found it to be a nerve-wracking process, but reading about other people's experience with various surgeries on this listserve has given me greater confidence and strength to actually contemplate it...