Surgery or Cimzia?
Tue, May 25, 2010 10:18 PM
My name is Sandy. I just turned 50 years old and have had my first experience with an abscess and a fistula and I am not enjoying it! I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1998. Took Imuran for 3 years until I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Made it through all the breast cancer treatment (chemo really controlled the Crohn's but not much fun!) Have been on Pentasa with a couple of flares.Have had intermittent Prendisone but I hate that drug. Mostly I have used diet, yoga, meditation and positive thought to make my way through this maze of chronic disease. After this recent upset I am being given options of resection ( my disease is in the distal illeum and ceacum area) or Cimzia. My abscess is resolving but the fistula to my bladder remains, so something has to done. I am not very excited about starting another immunosuppressant after the last cancer experience..I have a strong family history colon cancer as well. I am not real excited about losing body parts either. Anyone out there have any input to help me make this very hard choice? Any input is welcome! Thanks
Joined May 25, 2010
Sun, July 04, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for sandyh2opt.
Please keep me posted - I want to hear how your surgery goes.... I had no trouble with the actual surgery, but I had a slew of post-op complications. And I'd be curious to know what you were told about biologics and breast cancer - need to compare notes! Thinking good thoughts for you, Sandy - it's not an easy one, but it does feel good to know you're doing something to fix the problem!
hfmarksJoined Feb 9, 2010
Mon, June 21, 2010 9:59 PM
Reply posted for hfmarks.
Wow! The chemo kept me completely under control! Congrats to a fellow breast cancer survivor! I will be having a resection of my terminal ileum in July...no biologicals for me at this time. The fistula to my bladder is driving my crazy but soon it should all go away! Thanks for the response!
Joined May 25, 2010
Mon, June 14, 2010 1:00 PM
Reply posted for sandyh2opt.
Another breast cancer/Crohn's patient!! I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 98 too, just turned 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer a year ago May (mastectomy and chemo - chemo did NOT help keep my Crohn's under control), and bowel obstruction in January, bowel resection in April. My oncologist didn't want me on biologics for 18-24 months, and I didn't want to live with another bowel obstruction hanging over my head. Resection went fine, though I had complications upon complications, and my only complaint now is fatigue. Eating great - woo hoo!! Hair growing back - woo hoo!!
hfmarksJoined Feb 9, 2010
Mon, July 12, 2010 3:47 PM
Surgery or Cimzia?Hi Cindy,
I will share my testimony and hope that it helps in your decision.
Char
My 20-year
old (at the time) stepson was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007.
After months of different medical treatments, and little if any relief,
in August 2008, he was admitted to the hospital with what the doctors described
as being among the top 5% of worst cases they had ever seen. After 3
weeks in the hospital, and on the brink of death, the only two options he was
given by the doctors were Remicade or proctocolectomy (removal of the colon and
rectum).
old (at the time) stepson was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2007.
After months of different medical treatments, and little if any relief,
in August 2008, he was admitted to the hospital with what the doctors described
as being among the top 5% of worst cases they had ever seen. After 3
weeks in the hospital, and on the brink of death, the only two options he was
given by the doctors were Remicade or proctocolectomy (removal of the colon and
rectum).
After being told repeatedly by doctors that
diet has no effect whatsoever on UC (a part of the digestive system,
nonetheless), my husband refused to accept that claim and finally found a way
to get his son healed without medication or surgery.
Do a Google search, you will see the
colitis-crohns website, go there and read to your hearts relief!
We spent the next 2 weeks weaning my
step-son off of the medications and drips (he had to hide his medications at
times because the doctors refused to work with him in this regimen). He followed
the proposed regimen of this system and at the end of those two weeks, he was
finally released from his 5-week stay in the hospital when his visits to the
bathroom went from 20 per day to 2 per day!!!!
One week
later, and on zero medications, the results of his next rectal scope showed
that his colon had completely healed other than one polyp which showed a brand
new surface coming up behind it.
Unfortunately,
my stepson has since come away from the diet because he does not like fruit and
vegetables. He has
thus, unfortunately, had a number of hospital visits since, numerous temporary
relief medications and is presently awaiting the start of the Remicade regimen
in spite of the horrendous side effects.
Joined May 20, 2010
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