Thought I had UC for 7 years.

Welcome. You are not the only one with this experience!

It sucks to have your DX change from UC to crohn's colitis (CD affecting the colon) I too have crohn's colitis, basically though the same meds used to treat UC are also used to treat crohn's colitis (I myself am allergic or non responsive to the oral RX) so as long as you're doing okay with the meds I'm assuming you're on then not too much else should hopefully change..stats say the generally those CDers afflicted with crohn's colitis tend not to have too much, and in some cases no involvements with the small bowel but unfortunately abcess/fistuals/perianal crohn's skin tags tend to be more common for those with CC.

Unfortunately I've been flaring up since April of 2009. It's been very rough, especially being away at school without my family. Although they are always just a phone call away which I am very thankful of. I've had this perianal abscess for a while, but it would fluctuate in size and pain depending on how I felt. Currently I'm going through a terrible flair. I've tried every kind of medication out there. Remicade helped while I was younger, unfortunately I've built up antibodies to it. It sure is taking a toll on me but, I never give up, I just keep my chin up and try and reach remission. I love this forum because I get support from people like you guys. I don't know where I would be without this forum, thank you guys!!!!

Ah welcome to the 20% group that is Crohn's Colitis. Perianal Abcess suck. I had one operated on 3 weeks ago and I'm getting daily dressings. It doesn't help that my nurse at the clinic is a fox.

Also have a anal fistula, that's what caused my abcess and my GI and colo rectal surgeon recommended Himura to stop the buggers returning, its a tough decision seeing as I'm feeling really good now and I assumed I would only need to go on a biologic if my Crohns ever spiralled out of control.

Also, my colo rectal surgeon, the best in the hospital according to my GI has "a couple" of patients on Remicade/Himura that only suffer from fistulas yet have no Crohn's. I found that very interesting.

bosnianboy12 said...

IAmTheWalrus said...
Ah welcome to the 20% group that is Crohn's Colitis. Perianal Abcess suck. I had one operated on 3 weeks ago and I'm getting daily dressings. It doesn't help that my nurse at the clinic is a fox.

Also have a anal fistula, that's what caused my abcess and my GI and colo rectal surgeon recommended Himura to stop the buggers returning, its a tough decision seeing as I'm feeling really good now and I assumed I would only need to go on a biologic if my Crohns ever spiralled out of control.

Also, my colo rectal surgeon, the best in the hospital according to my GI has "a couple" of patients on Remicade/Himura that only suffer from fistulas yet have no Crohn's. I found that very interesting.

Is it really that bad?

What bad?

Depends on how fast you heal, some people heal in month, some in 3. It's not "bad", but it's an inconvinence.

I think it is very common to be switched in diagnoses, especially if you are an old-time with IBD (1981 for me!). I started out as Crohns with 2 fistulas and severe hemorrhaging. Switched GI's (due to a move) and was changed to UC, altho he told me at the time, "it doesn't really matter too much because the treatment is similar".

Recently switched again to a partner in the same practice (I live in the boonies with only a few GI options) - the UC GI doctor had treated (or NOT treated - lol) me during my abcess crisis in 2009. My current GI says "definitely CD".

I am getting ready for a second opinion at Johns Hopkins on March 10th - can't wait to get rid of the fistula, but dreading the possibility of surgery! We will see what those experts say!

There are some medications which target different areas of the colon, so the diagnosis matters for that. Also, depending on the latest research, the frequency of your colonoscopies can change depending on your diagnosis. And of course, the most important difference: If it's UC, you can be cured by having your large intestine removed.

For me, it is just surviving day to day, dealing with the symptoms that matters. I don't really care what they call it :)

Sudsmom