Worried Mind

[Pricey]

I am 18 and I've had crohn's since I was around 11 didn't get diagnosed till I was around 15 due to my own embarassment and confusion issues.I was being treated with Adalumimab and although my quality of life wasn't amazing it was very bearable the only real problem being bowel movements until a bad flare up last week revealed my stricture was causing the bowel to narrow causing extreme pain after I eat due to the bowel being obstructed the doctor says the next logical step will have to be operation in April after my Birthday.

I have been prescribed Prednisolone starting at 40mg and tapering down to 35 after a week then down to 30 and so forth. The side effects of prednisolone have been undesirable my mood not being great etc.

Have heard a lot of bad stories and must admit I am very worried about every aspect of the operation and also about the medication side effects and I don't know anybody with Crohn's or anybody I can really talk to about this.

I know there's people here I imagine who have been through a lot worse I just desperately need to talk to somebody about this as it has really brought me down .:depressed:

Anything anybody has to tell me is greatly appreciated.

 

[D Bergy]

I felt much better after my stricture was removed. It was well worth the surgery. Don't be too worried about the surgery, it is not all that bad. I was up and walking around the next day. Of course you have to take it easy for awhile, but I needed time to rest anyway.

You will feel better also. You will need to find a good treatment to prevent new strictures from forming.

The surgery is really nothing to be worried about. It is quite simple compared to many other things they correct surgically.

Dan

 

[Pricey]

Thanks for the reply I'm sorry for pestering but was there any complications? I have read here about infections and other things that have frightened me.

I was also told I would need a colostomy bag did you need one and if so for how long?

Is your disease currently in remission ?

Also I asked what would happen when the disease came back would it have to be surgery or would they try with medications first of all like they did when I was first diagnosed and I wasn't give a straight answer do you have any information you could share on this?

Sorry for being a pest I am just really worried.

 

[D Bergy]

Everyone here is happy to answer any questions you may have. No need to worry about being a pest.

I had no complications, but it appears your surgery is going to be more extensive than mine as there was no colostomy bag implicated when I had my surgery. I just had three inches of small bowel removed. I had a small infection around my incision that I just squeezed out when it popped to the surface. No big deal.

There are others here better suited to advise you on your situation involving a colostomy bag.

I am symptom free at this time, and hope to stay that way.

There is no reason to beleive a stricture will not form where the old one is taken out without treatment. This is quite common and can happen even with treatment. It is my opinion that treatment should be pursued after surgery to prevent this from happening. If you are seeing a qualified gastroenterologist they should have a treatment plan for you. If you are not seeing a specialist I would highly reccomend you do. This disease is not suited for GP's

While I have no outward signs of the disease right now, until I have another colonoscopy or CT scan, I cannot know for sure if I am growing another stricture. that is the worry many of us have.

Dan

 

[Kev]

Hi Pricey... Welcome to the forum. I echo Dan's thoughts. I didn't have a stricture.
But I did have 1 n 1/2 ft of colon removed. No bag... Old fashioned operation was a breeze. Off pain meds after two days.. did a lot of walking, it really helps lots. I did have a little infection..very minor.. and some leakage.... but my recovery time (fully recovered in 6 weeks) was the best that I've felt in years. I think you'll be fine

 

[Pricey]

I was told the bag was only a maybe so I hope that's the case.

Thanks for that guys my mind has been put at ease I wish I found this forum a while back.

 

[crohnsmom]

Pricey,
When my son had his resection surgery last spring he had to have the mandatory visit by the colostomy nurse practitioner, pick a site for a stoma, and receive education about the possibility of a colostomy bag post surgery "just in case". Truth is until they actually get in there the doctors cannot be 100% sure what they will find, so they want the patient aware and informed about all the possible outcomes, even when there are very slim chances that will happen. This may be the stiuation that you are describing now.
With my son it turned out that this was not necessary, a few inches were removed along with his appendix and a rather large abcess, and all went very smoothly with a speedy recovery. I have to tell you though, that the first thing he did when he came around after the anesthesia wore off was to feel for a colostomy bag!
Good luck to you. This forum is a wonderful support and source of information.
Sincerely,
Ramona

 

[Pricey]

Thanks for that. This forum seems to be able to give more information than any doctors and consultants I've spoken to.

Greatly appreciated.