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I was diagnosed with UC in 2009. Initially I was on several different meds to determine which was best to help keep my flares from occuring. I was on Asacol, Prednisone, 6MP,and even did some Remicade. Prednisone has always been with me as the one med that helps. I quit Asacol and 6MP on my own as I never saw any of it's benifits and believed my Doctor was merely pushing it for the Pharmaceutical (Drug Lords) companies. I quit taking the Remicade infusions because while I was on it no matter what happen to me, IE.... get a cut no matter how big or small, bruise, whatever, it would take forever to get better, plus I lost every fingernail at least once on both hands. But now it seems that even though I have been on the Prednisone my flareups, when they come back are staying longer. I am curious as to wether or not anyone has had a surgical procedure, or if they have brought it up with their physician as an option. I have an appointment with my gastro dr in 2 weeks and I am thinking of bringing up what type of options I might have concerning surgery of some kind. Any advice will be useful.

 Reply posted for thetsmith.

First, it never hurts to bring up options with a doctor.  You may not need the conversation now, but maybe the info will be good down the road.  I see so many people here that get really frustrated but what I see is that finding the personal cure that's right for you takes time.  Today there are just so many different medications to try, you haven't even tried a quarter of them yet.  If the steroid direction like prednasone was promising, maybe try a few of the other alternatives in that area.  Many people have bad reactions to Remicade, it's pretty strong.  But maybe you won't have the same reaction to something like Humira or Enbrel.

Years ago think of how many people must have gone straight from diagnosis to prednasone then off to surgery if it doesn't work.  That's all they had.  And you can't blame someone for all the pain and suffering to want to go to surgery if nothing works.  But there are just so many options now, it seems a bit premature to go directly there.  Don't let me give the impression I'm saying don't discuss what surgery is like - but I've spoken with so many other people that are so much worse when it comes to their flares and pain that you might just need to be a bit patient.

 Reply posted for Smia59.

If you have UC the cure is to have your colon removed because UC does not attack the small intestine however crohns will so there is no cure for crohns.  I had my entire colon removed and feel great.  Wish I would have had it done sooner.

 Reply posted for Smia59.

If you have UC the cure is to have your colon removed because UC does not attack the small intestine however crohns will so there is no cure for crohns.  I had my entire colon removed and feel great.  Wish I would have had it done sooner.

I was on Meds for about 16 years before I was forced to have a surgery for Crohns. They removed 14" of bowel,  my appendix and removed a fistula between my small intestine and my bladder which initiated the surgery. After the surgery it took awhile to recover, but once that was over, i didn't have any pain or flareups for 5 years. Then they started coming back. But having to do it all over again, I would still take the Surgery over the pain any day. Since then I get about 2 flareups per year. Sorry to hear about your worsening condition. The Asacol never really worked for me either.

 Reply posted for TheTSmith.

Hi,  I'm a parent of  23  yr  old who  has gone tru several surgeries last year.  His flareups turned into massive tumors that pinched nerves in his  back that cause him to  walk with limp. It was heartbreaking but  surgeries helped him get  back on feet  &  he was in  remission for a bit. The  problem is that there is no cure. So now he's  back  on the meds &  they trying to introduce stronger stuff. Today he cursed out the doc. He is so angry & frustrated @ this point. he can't keep seem to keep a job because  of  the  constant  bathroom  problem. You seem  to  have control  over  your  symptons  so  that's  a  good  thing. I  hope you don't have to have any surgery any time  soon because recovery is difficult for anybody. My son wasvery weak  he really didn't have choice. Now he is a little  older s  he  knows he cannot  miss a dose or he will be out of remission again. All we ca  do is continue to pray for cure or beter medicines. You take care. You deserve so much  more ...MIMI