surgery or not

I think if I was in that case, I would make a deal with myself. I would try the humira first, but if you don't notice any fairly significant improvemnt after awhile...then I'd go under the knife. Hopefully they only have to remove that rather small portion of your intestines, and hopefully you'll be 90% symptom free afterwards. I had a resection, and they are totally worth it if you are that bad off. Probably the most difficult part is being able to take 2 months off work or school to do so. You'll probably be in the hospital for 2 weeks, then after you'll basically be recouperating at home regaining strength for another month and a bit until you are totally normal again. So you'll be able to return to most jobs after 2 months, or if you work at home on a computer, then 1 month or so. The pain of the surgery is no where near the long term struggles of constant crohn's symptoms if they are bad enough. Not to mention, even as your recovering in the hospital, you'll feel releived the surgery is over, and good days are ahead. Thats how it was for me. I got about 3-4 years of feeling fantastic afterwards. Of course, the only bad thing is that once they cut it out, you never get it back.

 

Jersey,

Your story sounds exactly like mine !  I had the same thing happen. I have had Crohns for 15 years and within the last 3 years i was on remicade and then humira.  I kept obstructing from all the scar tissue that developed in my ileum and colon.  Like you, i kept using steroids to get over them but ultimately I found myself obstructing again. I saw the CT scans myself, there was no denying how narrow my bowel had gotten.  On April 7th, I had my first surgery, a resection.  The recovery the first 2 weeks was a little rough. Week 3 got better, and week four was even better. I am doing well and eating and drinking and feeling good. I was very resistant to surgery and questioned my decision right up until they put me to sleep.  I know there are things that could go wrong, but for right now, my life is so much better than it was.  I guess my advice is to keep an open mind.  It is a scary decision, I know. Take all the time you need to make it.  Hope you feel better.

ajz