Bad days coming

I have been in a bad flare for the last month and a half. I have been taking 40mg of prednisone along with my asacol and rowasa enemas. My bleeding has not even slowed with the high dose of pred. I had a colonoscopy yesterday and my doctor told me that I should consider the surgery since steroids are not helping. I have had UC for four years now. Usually when I flare I start myself back on 40mg of pred and start tapering after a week. That usually would knock it down and get back under control. The last few weeks the pred has zero effect on the bleeding. I am just amazed at how quickly I have become immune to the steroids. I am scheduled to see a surgeon on the 6th of March. I will also be going to see a differant surgeon for a second opinion. I have always thought of myself as one that would never need surgery. Can anyone give me some advice as to what I can be expecting regarding a total colectomy. How long is the bag worn with a "j-hook". Thank you all in advance!

I had no response to the remicaide. I did the infusions for 3 months and had no change. I had bad reactions to 6-mp including blisters in my mouth. I dont think stress or diet is contributing to this flare. I am actually the happiest now than I have been in a long time involving everything besides the colitis. I guess I just can not get over the fact that 40mg of prednisone is doing nothing after such success all this time. I may go to the hospital tomarrow for some IV steroids. I work a rotating swing shift and tonight is my first night back on midnights. I wont be able to take my pred until tonight after I wake up. That equates to about 15 hours from now. Taking pred and trying to sleep during the day is horrible. At this point, I will welcome surgery if it will stop all of this craziness. Unfortunately I have a very physically demanding job and will need to be 100% before I return to work.

www.j-pouch.org is a great resource, you may want to inquire there :)

I would also suggest setting up a consultation with a colo-rectal surgeon to get some more answers about the procedure.

Best of luck!

I think there is nothing more shocking then hearing the word "surgery" uttered by a doctor. My GI started broaching the subject to me about one year into a 2.5 year flare. Certainly if drugs are no longer helping it's probably time to have a surgical consutation. As pointed out, you can meet thousands of us who have walked in your shoes at www.j-pouch.org and many had surgery for the very reason it's being recommended for you. If you opt for surgery I would encourage you to go with a surgeon who has done many of the procedures. On the j-pouch.org board you can look through a list of surgeons that come highly recommended by those of us who have gone through it. Surgery and recovery are not easy but I can tell you having been on both sides that I prefer surgery over life with chronic UC. I am free of meds and most importantly I live a very active life that doesn't center around the bathroom!

Sue