I've been poking around in this forum for awhile now and finally decided to join after reading so many helpful and utterly supportive posts. What a great group this seems to be!
I was diagnosed with Crohn's about 2 years ago, after having (milder) symptoms for several years before that. I've been on Humira (and on/off Entocort and Pred) for 1 year. Was initially on the standard dose of every 2 weeks, but bumped it up to weekly within the first couple months. That seemed to help as it reduced my flares to roughly once every other month (not as great as I was hoping, but certainly better than it had been). Unfortunately, since January I've returned to flares every 2-4 weeks and they have definitely increased in intensity.
I recently had my first surgery consult and, after much discussion and research have decided to go ahead with the laproscopic ileocolic resection surgery. The surgeon (who was very informative and reassuring, btw) basically said I could either do the surgery now, or wait until I absolutely can't take the flares anymore, but it would be very unlikely for me to avoid it altogether. I took some time to mull it over (and frankly cry about it) and have decided I would rather have the ability to choose this option and plan for it than end up in an emergency situation or having to do it when I'm extremely sick. I'm also extremely blessed to have an incredibly supportive family and spouse who will be (and have been) with me through all of it.
That said, I'm...well...slightly terrified. Surgery is scheduled for 4/24 and I think I would rather either do it tomorrow and get it over with, or back out completely. The logical part of my brain knows all the reasons that this is a good decision, but I find myself constantly second-guessing it and wondering if I'm just making an emotional decision based on the frustration and exhaustion of recurring flares and symptoms. I especially start thinking this way on good days when I'm feeling relatively normal. My husband is supportive of the decision to go through with surgery and has been my voice of reason on these days, but I'm definitely open to any other suggestions, tips, bits of advice and/or pearls of wisdom out there.
:ysmile:
I was diagnosed with Crohn's about 2 years ago, after having (milder) symptoms for several years before that. I've been on Humira (and on/off Entocort and Pred) for 1 year. Was initially on the standard dose of every 2 weeks, but bumped it up to weekly within the first couple months. That seemed to help as it reduced my flares to roughly once every other month (not as great as I was hoping, but certainly better than it had been). Unfortunately, since January I've returned to flares every 2-4 weeks and they have definitely increased in intensity.
I recently had my first surgery consult and, after much discussion and research have decided to go ahead with the laproscopic ileocolic resection surgery. The surgeon (who was very informative and reassuring, btw) basically said I could either do the surgery now, or wait until I absolutely can't take the flares anymore, but it would be very unlikely for me to avoid it altogether. I took some time to mull it over (and frankly cry about it) and have decided I would rather have the ability to choose this option and plan for it than end up in an emergency situation or having to do it when I'm extremely sick. I'm also extremely blessed to have an incredibly supportive family and spouse who will be (and have been) with me through all of it.
That said, I'm...well...slightly terrified. Surgery is scheduled for 4/24 and I think I would rather either do it tomorrow and get it over with, or back out completely. The logical part of my brain knows all the reasons that this is a good decision, but I find myself constantly second-guessing it and wondering if I'm just making an emotional decision based on the frustration and exhaustion of recurring flares and symptoms. I especially start thinking this way on good days when I'm feeling relatively normal. My husband is supportive of the decision to go through with surgery and has been my voice of reason on these days, but I'm definitely open to any other suggestions, tips, bits of advice and/or pearls of wisdom out there.
:ysmile: