Welcome to the forum. So sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed but you have come to the right place for support. There are some wonderfully compassionate and very knowledgeable members around here.
What medications is your GI suggesting you start with? Did they put you steroids to get your initial flare under control? Usually the maintenance meds(immunosuppressants-6MP, Imuran or MTX or a biologic-Remicade, Humira or Cimzia) is started while you are tapering off the prednisone.
My son went straight to Remicade after his diagnosis and has since shortened his schedule, upped his dose and added MTX(methotrexate). He has been on Remicade since May of last year and MTX since October of last year with a short break over the summer of the MTX.
He seems to be doing pretty good right now, though I'm not sure we are quite at deep, stable remission but he doesn't have any pain, his bms are normal and he is acting like a normal teenager. I was scared of the meds at first as well, but to see the change in him after the first dose of Remicade was just astounding, a definite 180. But after the loading doses of Remicade he couldn't seem to make it the full 8 weeks before symptoms would start creeping in, hence the tweaks in schedule, dosage and adding MTX.
What are your specific concerns about the immunosuppressants? You could make a list of your concerns and questions and go over them with your GI before making your decision.
Also there is a Treatment forum here you may want to browse through as it may answer some of your questions or allay some of your fears.
I hope you find some comfort soon and feel free to ask any questions you may have.