Doc changed diagnosis from UC to Crohn's.. Which of the 2 is worse?

So I just did my 3rd colonoscopy and my new GI says that he is almost completely sure I have Crohns now. (Crohn's in only the colon) I had thought I had colitis for about 7 years, but this colonoscopy showed activity much more consistent with Crohns. (patchy inflammation or spots of healthy tissue in between the bad tissue, and the cobblestone like appearance). My question is, in your opinions, which do you think is worse? Colitis or Crohns? (I feel like Crohns is the answer but other opinions are helpful) Also what are your favorite medications for Crohns (ones that benefit you most and have least side effects)? Anyone who has had this disease for a very long time are welcome to contribute.. I would like to know what your experience with the disease has been and how many different surgeries/complications have happened in all of your years with this. Also does anyone know the difference between the medications of Crohns and Colitis? It seems like they are all the same. I just hope I am one of the lucky ones that can have long term remission without flare up symptoms.. but one of the stats I have read said that 70% of people with Crohns eventually need surgery (That is so high!). I am 24 by the way, have had GI issues since about 17 years of age. Currently on 5mg of prednisone (about to taper off), 4 pills of Lialda daily, and probiotics. Thanks for the inputs!

Because CD can affect the entire GI tract from mouth to anus (and more than one area at a time as well) and UC is limited to the colon/rectum, it can be harder to treat CD/get it into remission and since when more than one area at a time is affected it can be more painful and severe than UC...CD can also affect the many layers of the intestinal lining, UC always stays on the surface of the lining. CD (especially affecting the colon/anus/rectum (with perianal crohn's skin tags) can also cause more risk for fistulizing CD and because CD can affect more than just the surface of the lining, it can also increase the risk of perforations.

Not saying there aren't severe cases of UC compared to CD necessarily, after all, a more severe UC patient may have much worse symptoms and struggles getting a flare under control compared to a mild/moderate CDer.

Crohn's is worse.

Can affect all of the small bowel, can cause fistulas and strictures, and the surgical options are so much worse for Crohn's than for UC. Not that severe UC is a walk in the park. In the past UC could kill you, but nowadays that's exceedingly unlikely to happen.

But the surgical options for Crohn's are so much limited than for UC. It's absolutely maddening to me that I'm stuck with a lifelong stoma all because I had Crohn's instead of UC. Makes me feel like punching a wall sometimes.

Edit: I won't post 3x in a row, so I'll just edit this post now that I've finally properly read the TC's post...

Also what are your favorite medications for Crohns (ones that benefit you most and have least side effects)? Anyone who has had this disease for a very long time are welcome to contribute.. I would like to know what your experience with the disease has been and how many different surgeries/complications have happened in all of your years with this. Also does anyone know the difference between the medications of Crohns and Colitis? It seems like they are all the same. I just hope I am one of the lucky ones that can have long term remission without flare up symptoms.. but one of the stats I have read said that 70% of people with Crohns eventually need surgery (That is so high!).

- I have no favourite medications.

- See my sig for the basic outline. As well as pancolitis (inflammation of the entire colon), I also had a stricture in the terminal ileum which caused many partial obstructions.

- Very little difference in meds. UCers use more rectal meds because of the location of their disease. Also, certain biologics are licensed for one disease, but not the other, eg Tsyabri is licensed for Crohn's but not UC, and vice versa with Simponi. Remicade and Humira are licensed to treat both.

- The 70% stat covers all types of surgeries, which include resections, temporary and permanent ostomies, fistula and abscess surgeries, etc. It is high, but you still have a 1 in 3 chance of never needing surgery.

Post Edited (NiceCupOfTea) : 2/11/2014 8:53:09 AM (GMT-7)

Thanks for the responses! I am just trying to stay positive and hoping for long remissions to come