First Surgery for Crohn's Upcoming
Sun, June 06, 2010 3:03 PM
Hello,
I was diagnosed with Crohns at the age of 18. Im 26 now and the st two years have been the roughest for me. I went into the hospital two years ago and found out that I had developed an abscess due to perforation. My GI said I needed surgery then, but the surgeon prevented it though intense antibiotics. He prevented surgery a couple months later also.
Now I have extreme narrowing of my terminal ileum. I decided to have the surgery to remove my terminal ileum while Im still feeling better instead of waiting until I have blockage or worse. I should even be able to have the surgery laparoscopically and I will continue a maintenance therapy afterwards.
My question is what can I expect the surgery to be like? How long have you gone after the surgery symptom free?
Joined Jul 3, 2008
Sat, August 21, 2010 8:08 AM
Reply posted for kmk15.
I am so happy to see that there is some positive feed back. I was diagnosed with Crohns in 1988, I have been on alot of meds and actually Humara for the last 3 years for my back, which in turn helped my disease like I could not believe. The last year I have had 3 abcesses due to a fistulae. I am having surgery next week to resection the colon. Not looking forward to a possible 3 month temporary colstomy. I have had three previous c-sections in the 80's. I am soooo nervous, so I am glad to hear your story.
siagapoJoined Aug 21, 2010
Sat, June 05, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for JennyErin.
I am on my 4th week out after surgery! I agree with walking around. I was up the next day after my surgery and roaming the halls of the hospital (Although i had an epideral, which actually was very helpful!) The recovery is not that bad at all! I agree with having family and friends the first week or so at home. I found that the stomach muscles being cut was the hardest part for me!! I have been back to normal for since week 3, however my doctor still has me on limited activity for another 2 weeks! I hope this helps and i too hope that this surgery keeps me flare up free for awhile :)
kmk15Joined Apr 27, 2010
Fri, June 04, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for JennyErin.
When are you having the surgery? My daughter is going through the same thing, and after much thought, we have decided to have the surgery. I have been doing alot of research, and we have been told, that the resection done at a young age, has been very successful and many people don't have a recurrence. My daughter will stay on a maintenace dose of medication to help prevent a recurrence. I know and she knows that there is a chance the Crohn's may come back, but we will stay under the doctor's care and catch it early if it does come back. It was a hard decision to make, but I feel this is our best option. I wish you the best of luck and wish you a speedy recovery from the surgery. Keep us posted.
Joined Sep 11, 2009
Wed, June 02, 2010 12:00 AM
Reply posted for charbren.
I am a 30 female on my 5 week of recovery from my first surgery. I was diagnosed in February of this year. I had narrowing of the terminal ileum and 4 fistulas and 1 abscess. The 4 fistulas and abscess were fixed laparoscopically and I have a small incision from the removing of the inflamed intestines. All have healed really well and the incision gets smaller every day.
The recovery wasn't/isn't bad. The day after surgery I was up and walking and I think that helped me recover better. I was out of the hospital on day 4 and went back to work after 4 weeks. I could have been back after 3 but I wanted to rest a little more. If you can I would have family or friends help you with your first week home you will need it.
I am having diarrhea every day but I have been told it will get better. I can't answer your second question but I hope I am symptom free for a long time! 
I wish you the best!
I wish you the best!
mohay99Joined Apr 19, 2010
Sat, May 29, 2010 10:24 PM
Reply posted for JennyErin.
Dear JennyErin,
I am just sharing this in case you find any of it helpful for you.
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).
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.
The book is "Self Healing Colitis
& Crohn's"
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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