Flex Sig today, results as expected, not good

Had a colonoscopy in Oct that showed all but the last bit of my colon to be healed. Since then I've been on rectal meds and it's been two years of Remicade infusions, but I'm still not 100%. Feeling A LOT better since before I was on Remicade, but not how I want my life to be.

So this afternoon I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy and the inflammation is still there, just the last few centimeters, grrr.

My GI says me and the UC are at a stand-off, the Remicade has gotten me pretty far along, but the UC just ain't giving up. He says I am an excellent candidate for the j-pouch surgery and that if I do it, I will feel much healthier and won't have to worry about the longterm effects off the meds I am still on. So, I agree and have wrapped my head around it (I was pretty sure this was where Iwas heading).

The glitch is I won't be fiscally ready to take two months off, close down my business and rebuild it when I am well again. I will likely be ready in about a year, but winter is a better time to close down, after the holidays. GI says as long as I keep the status quo, don't get any worse, he's fine with that, so unless my symptoms get worse, or I suddenly come into about seven grand looks like out goes the colon in about 18 mos.

Thank goodness for the Remicade giving me the time I need to get comfortable with it all.

Meesh

     The best of luck to you.  I sure can relate to those last few inches of inflammation.  I think I could cope a lot better if it were further into my colon.  Cramps I can tolerate.  This is terrible, can't even pass gass without pain.  Right now I am sitting on a pillow at the computer.  Have you ever tried the Cort enemas in place of Rowasa?

     I must admit these last few weeks have been very uncomfortable, but as long as I can stay out of the hospital.  I'm quite a bit older than you and have high blood pressure issues, so kinda scared of surgery.  I told my husband that if I can get over this herald, I will really, diligently watch my diet and stress level.  However, if I have another flare within six months or so, I will definitely seek another course.  Scared of Remicade.  My GI doctor is pushing it but his associate said a definite NO for me because I was exposed to the TB virus back in the 60's and apparently this associate lost a patient while she was on remicade and she too was at one time exposed to the TB virus.  My GI said there are solutions to that.  Well, I certainly don't want to be a guinea pig.  I may be almost 63 but I still feel I would like to stay around a few more years.  My husband is 71 and runs circles around me.

Thanks all.

Quincy I am taking the probiotic Culturelle. I don't take fiber supplements but I do make sure my diet includes fiber, mostly the soluble kind as "roughage" is, well, kinda rough on me.

Christine, shame you aren't a candidate for the Remicade, as it has proved very helpful for a lot of us, and even though it isn't getting me quite all the way, before I went on it I could barely function. Before you rule out surgery due to your age and BP issues, consult with a surgeon, I am sure there are precautions, etc that can be taken. Uncontrolled UC has it's own risks, remember.

I love this site. Everyone is so supportive. It's nice having a place to come and discuss these things with people who really know what I am going through.

Hey EvaLou, I am the owner/operator of a mobile dog grooming business. I have a van that is equipped with a full grooming salon (powered by a generator) and I drive to my clients' houses, bring their dogs into the van and groom them., I groom 5-9 dogs a day, five days a week. I love working for myself, but there's no paid sick days or vacations! I figure to comfortably take two months off to recover and then cover the slow time of rebuilding the business - inevitably I'll lose some clients, although I expect most of them are fairly loyal and will eagerly await my return -- I want to save up $10K, I have three already since I started the targeted account, just since December when I realized where this might be going. My business provides more than half the household income, so while money will still be coming in, a huge chunk will be gone.

I will look into getting a groomer to perhaps take over the business for the time I am out, but that risks my van, my clients -- not sure I want to deal with that. But if I could find the right and trusted person, that may be a solution to at least bring in enough to cover the fixed expenses of the business (van and insurance payments, etc), then I'd just have the household expenses to cover. I certainly don't want to drop my cable and house cleaners while I am home recovering!

Meesh