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Hi there,

I just got out of the hospital for the third time in four months with intestinal blockages.  I have tried all different medications including Remicade, 6-mp and methotrexate.  I am currently on Prednisone again.  I can't seem to get off of it.  As soon as i stop it, I'm back in the hospital with another blockage.  I have had Crohn's for over 22 years and have only suffered for the past 5 years.  I am running out of options but I am scared of surgery.  The doctor says they need to remove about 5 feet which terrorfies me.  I am scared of the after effects of the surgery.  Can anyone offer any advice about what to expect during the hospital stay and also they after effects of losing so much small bowel.  What kind of nutritional deficiences should I be looking forward to.  Thanks!!!!

 Reply posted for pms.

Hi:

My daughter has Crohns, and after many flair ups drugs etc she is now been advised to have surgery. She has been on Remecade, and it seems to help with the inflamation, however, she has a12" of scar tissue and the drs said they need to remove it. Just a question. My daughter is very active and wants a better quality of life. Did the surgery really give you that too?

 Reply posted for danibigg.

Thanks so much for all of the comforting words.  My appointment is in a week and I am so nervous.  It helps to know that people have gone through what I may have to and are leading healthy normal lives.  Thanks!!

 Reply posted for danibigg.

Hi danibigg, how are youdoing now?  You want to know how life is when 5ft.of intestine is removed?  Well I've got one ft left in me and I don't let it slow me down.  Other than loose bowel movements my life is pretty much "normal".  I work 40hrs.+ every week and do work around the house a lot. So i'm happy.  The first time in the hospital was for 2wks. the 2nd time was for a month.  Although the 2nd time I was in very bad shape.  Life after surgery in the hospital is ok.  The pain meds. help alot.  As far as nutritional deficiencies.... I take a multivitamin daily to offset anything  that may try to sneak up on me.  I hope this helps a little.  Take Care.

 Reply posted for danibigg.

I too was terrified for my 1st surgery about a year ago!  I can honestly say it was the best thing that has happened to me since being diagnosed.  I no longer have pain, my bms are regular now, I am only taking one medication & it's an injection once per week, & I have not taken a day off work due to Crohn's since my surgery.  I feel better than I have in a very long time!!!  Here's my story... I had seen my doc on Tuesday.  I lived in a rural area & had driven about 90 minutes to see him on a Tuesday for my 3-month check-up. During this visit I told him something was wrong, that my pain was worse than normal.  I was told I would be fine, & he sent me next door to get some blood drawn.  By Wednesday morning about 3AM, I knew things were not fine.  I was sicker than I had ever been.  I went into the hospital & 6 hours later was transported by ambulance to the hospital my doc works at.  After numerous uncomfortable tests, I was told on Friday that I would need surgery to remove part of my small intestine & resection it.  I kept telling myself to stay positive. Surgery can be tough, don't get me wrong, but I was very lucky, and you can be too!  I was asking for jello on day 2, but didn't get any until day 5, my nurses were amazing & so was the hospital staff.  Maybe I got lucky with such a great hospital & staff, but I would really like to believe that I'm not the only one with a good experience.  My only suggestion is to get a second opinion.  Had I gotten a second opinion earlier, I may have been able to prevent the $1500.00 ambulance ride and just drive myself up there.  But hey, I guess that's life.  Best of Luck to You.  I hope your first surgery is as good of an experience as mine was!

Jen

 Reply posted for danibigg.

I just had a small bowel resection that was done lapriscopically. They removed 2 feet on July 31st. I will return to work on Sept 11 although I could start today.  The first couple weeks are tough and I was sore. With a couple vicodins every 6 hours I was fine.  I'm sure everyone is different from the stories I've read but I was ready for surgery.  I was in pain for 1 1/2 years and developed an abcess that couldn't be drained. After weaning off prednisone and finishing up antibiotics (was in hospital on antibiotics) the ct scan showed the abcess was still there.

Because I was strong enough and we exhausted all other options surgery was the best decision. So far so good. I was concerned the first couple weeks because I had diareah which was expected because of the ilieocecul valve removed; however my bms are fairly normal and I fell quite good., going for walks everyday and wanting to return to work.

They say it's not a cure but we have to live with what we are dealt.

I hope this gives you hope and wish you well!