Saw my GI doctor today

     Just got home from my GI's office.  Still inflamed but improving.  CT scan was negative.  He mentioned about increasing the dosage of the Remicade to 10gm.  Is that right?  He started me at 5.  He also mentioned about giving the injections closer together.  Hoping this will help, if not, then onto Humira but he told me that surgery may be in my future .  Seems like the inflammation is just in the last bit of my rectum but very stubborn to treat and makes me feel just miserable.  The surgery would be a colostomy.  Have to do some research now I guess.

Hi Christine!!

I'm so glad to hear you are improving!! Maybe that stomach bug you got last time really set you back more than you thought.. I have heard of people getting 10gm of Remicade and closer together injections, so that is a possibility. But, I know how you feel about the surgery.. I have the same issue, my inflammation is only in my rectum, but having it limited to that area makes it harder to treat.. My Gi and I had the "Surgery" discussion and I was actually planning on having it this month, but now that I have this right sided pain, they are putting it off in case it turns out to be Crohn's disease and in that case, they won't do surgery because with Crohn's surgery is not a cure and I'll have to hang on to whatever intestines I can...

So I understand about the surgery talk.. made me feel pretty weird to think about it.. But when I had my surgery consult, I did feel better after talking to a surgeon...

I just hope things continue to improve and you get better and can forget the surgery talk.. lol.... My best wishes for you Christine :) xoxc

Christine,

Are you sure your GI said colostomy and not ileostomy?  An ileostomy is standard for UC, a colostomy would be for diverticulitis or non-UC issues.  Of course the final surgery type is up to the surgeon, never up to the GI.  But I'd hate to have you het your mind set on a colostomy only to learn later it's an ileostomy.

Sue

My husband is having a stent put in probably next week so his heart can get more oxygen/blood and he can breath better.

I found this...

Ileostomy diverts the ileum to a stoma. Semisolid waste flows out of the stoma and collects in an ostomy pouch, which must be emptied several times a day. An ileostomy bypasses the colon, rectum, and anus and has the fewest complications.

Colostomy is similar to an ileostomy, but the colon—not the ileum—is diverted to a stoma. As with an ileostomy, stool collects in an ostomy pouch.

ElaineNY

That's terrible news Christine. I know surgery would eliminate a lot of your discomfort but it's such a big procedure. I hope the increased dose of Remicade helps but if not, surgery is the cure, at least you know that will solve problem. I Hope you're feeling better soon.

PS to that post.  My husband went today and his lungs are clear of fluid, cancer in remission and vitals good once again.  The cardiologist will put the stent in next week - day surgery - and he should be able to breathe better and his heart should not have to work so hard.

ElaineNY