Frustrated and probably a bit depressed

You sound like me a few years ago! I was at the point that I asked my gastro doctor to just remove my colon so I could move on. BUT...seems that my doctor was more sensible than I; he preferred to continue trying different combinations. I soon was in remission for over 5 years. This illness is ugly, mean, and it is SO easy to force you into depression. Ultimately, you have to make the choice; but know that there probably is a drug combination that will help you. NEVER give up. Stress plays a big part in mine. With the constant worry of telling family and friends I can't go with them and not making it to a restroom, who isn't stressed?!! But just don't give up and talk frankly with your doctor....HOPEFULLY, they will listen to YOU. Best of luck to you in your battle.

I caved to surgery after I tried entyvio without success. I knew I didn't want to live the way I was living, and I also didn't want to take prednisone again. I always had immediate success with pred, but it made me fat and pimply. I was miserable on that drug. I figured if going to the toilet more meant, no more drugs, doctors, tests, symptoms, accidents, it was worth it... I was at the point where I could accept that as the outcome. Anything was better than taking more prednisone. There were some clinical trials at the hospital, but I didn't want to wait to get going on them. I had hit all my out of pocket expenses with my insurance for the year, everything aligned, and I just knew it was the right time for surgery if I was going to do it. If I had gone for the trials, sure, it would be nice if they worked, but how long would they work for? and each one takes months to get going. You had to be off entyvio for a few months to start, then you needed months to see if there was success, then if not, start over with another. Didn't seem worthwhile for me. There are people here who have gone that route though, and done fantastically well, so it's still worth considering. Don't let the depression become too draining. If you need to see someone, you should. You could treat it, or do therapy. There are options.

I went through the same emotional process. It really sucks feeling so sick and being on so much medication. There's something really depressing about seeing a row of prescriptions on your bathroom counter that you need to take everyday. I was on 10 different medications which I had very specific weird schedules for. It was all so much and so specific that I had to have alarms set on my phone and a planner-notebook just to keep track of it all.

Eventually my Entyvio was approved and I was able to slowly ditch most of the medication. I hear if it isn't approved you can go to their website and they'll help you out? Doctors can even give you prescription cards for it, to take the cost down to like 5$/per treatment. Even though my insurance covers it, it still took a LONG time to process...

Keep your chin up. It certainly isn't fun, we all know that. But try to take it one day at a time. Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy...