Hi,
I was recently diagnosed with a severe case of Chron's disease. I had symptoms since August of 2008, originally thought it was ulcerative colitis, but did not have a confirmed diagnosis until now. I previously have been on almost every medication possible, and spent the last year on a double dose of remicade plus entocort up until May, with no results. On June 30th, I had an ileostomy, without the removal of the rectal stump in hopes that it could be reconnected in the future. I am now told that my options would be to go back on the remicade (which I may react to since I have not taken it in 6 months) and clear the diseased rectal area, then in a year proceed with the reconnection. Only if the medication works. Or, go in to have the rectal stump removed and have a permanent ileostomy. In both cases the chron's still may come back but no one knows when. My doctor did not give me his opinion either way. I am also wanting to get pregnant with a 2nd child, I am 35 and don't want to wait too much longer to get pregnant, but don't want to until I have all my treatment options and surgeries behind me. I am looking for advice from people who have had the complete ileostomy, and their cases of chron's coming back. What happens when it comes back even after all this, how is it treated then when its in the small bowel? What is the long term prognosis in these cases? I am feeling very uninformed of my options and treatment. Does anyone have any information for me?
I was recently diagnosed with a severe case of Chron's disease. I had symptoms since August of 2008, originally thought it was ulcerative colitis, but did not have a confirmed diagnosis until now. I previously have been on almost every medication possible, and spent the last year on a double dose of remicade plus entocort up until May, with no results. On June 30th, I had an ileostomy, without the removal of the rectal stump in hopes that it could be reconnected in the future. I am now told that my options would be to go back on the remicade (which I may react to since I have not taken it in 6 months) and clear the diseased rectal area, then in a year proceed with the reconnection. Only if the medication works. Or, go in to have the rectal stump removed and have a permanent ileostomy. In both cases the chron's still may come back but no one knows when. My doctor did not give me his opinion either way. I am also wanting to get pregnant with a 2nd child, I am 35 and don't want to wait too much longer to get pregnant, but don't want to until I have all my treatment options and surgeries behind me. I am looking for advice from people who have had the complete ileostomy, and their cases of chron's coming back. What happens when it comes back even after all this, how is it treated then when its in the small bowel? What is the long term prognosis in these cases? I am feeling very uninformed of my options and treatment. Does anyone have any information for me?
