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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 4/10/2011 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone. I was just diagnosed with Chron's Disease. Looking forward to this forum (as well as the UC forum). I do just have one question...who out there with Chron's is still surgery free and is being maintained on just meds?
Posted 4/10/2011 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hello CD... I am also newly diagnosed to CD and new to the site. I am currently, surgery free... knock on wood. I was diagnosed in Feb. of this year after a short bout with some severe abdominal pain and diarreah in Jan. I went to see my family doc. and she seemed very concerned and sent me straight over to the GI. He got me in pretty quickly on a Wed. and decided we shouldn't wait, and got me in for a colonoscopy and endoscopy on that following Fri.

I came home thinking I had UC, because that's all that was explained to me by the discharge nurse, but when I went in for my follow up 2 weeks later, he explained that it was in fact CD because it was in fact in my small intestine as well as my large intestine. I started Asocole, Prednisone, and an acid reflux regime immediately, and have been good so far. I say good, but since I'm still not quite sure what a flare up is, I am at leat pain free. I do have some loose stools, but taking into consideration that I am still learning what I can and cannot eat.
Posted 4/10/2011 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
I know EXACTLY what you are going through then..First a UC diagnosis then a CD diagnosis.. I'm still in "unsure" mode of what I can eat, what I cant and such.. I am currently pain free right now also, which is HUGE. It's just all very overwhelming..
Posted 4/10/2011 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
I have had a diagnosis for about 10 years and haven't needed surgery. I had one stricture dilated by balloon a few years ago. I take 5-ASAs.
Posted 4/10/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
MikeB on this forum has had Crohns for a long long time, never had surgery and is just maintained I believe with either Imuran or 6mp. I think he has had Crohns 20 to 30 years now. Hugs!
Posted 4/10/2011 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
I made it 8 years on meds alone with almost 7 year remission. I was on Colazal (5-ASA) and Imuran (immunosuppressive) only for most of that time with steroids to quiet flares. Most recent flare was this year, developed fistulae and a partial obstruction at my TI from stenosis. Tried Remicade, but I'm too far gone at this point.

I'll be having surgery this summer, at almost 9 years since my diagnosis. I just can't get off steroids or the antibiotics now...

Good luck, I'm so sorry to hear that you have this diagnosis. :( Surgery really does stink, but sometimes when your symptoms end up impacting your life it's the best option for you to get your life back. But some people can have 10+ years of being surgery free, just make sure to keep up with your meds, doctor's visits, etc!
Posted 4/10/2011 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Surgery does not have to be a determining factor. Yes it is scary but so are some of the medications.

I had a colon resection done laparoscopically, never have had what people call Crohns flare and you would not be able to find any surgical scar. For some, surgery is a neccesity and they have a better quality of life after.

Hoping the best for you.

Posted 4/11/2011 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys so much!! I'm a naturally nervous person and all of this is just a little overwhelming..
Posted 4/12/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
I'm not surgery free but that's because I was diagnosed with Crohn's a while after I had gotten symptoms and finally when they diagnosed I had 3 fistulas and 3 abscesses and a fissure. But if they start giving you medicine early it is entirely possible to go without surgery. But surgery sometimes is not a bad thing and some people feel better afterwards.
Posted 4/12/2011 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed about 5 years ago and have had symptoms for more than 30 years and am surgery free. Granted I have had numerous surgeries on various tendons and ligaments likely as a result of my Crohns but my intestines are fully intact.
Posted 4/12/2011 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I passed the 22 year mark of being diagnosed with Crohns in February and have been w/o surgery this whole time. However, that is likely coming to a halt this summer with a surgery (resection of 12" of small intestines) likely coming in June. Just need to get stuff scheduled this week.

A lot of the drugs, medications, & treatment plans they didn't even have when I was first diagnosed.
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