Out of options

I was only dx with UC Feb of this year. Four separate trips to the hospital, dozens of tests, and most medications later, I think surgery is my only option. I had my fourth Remicade infusion last Friday. The week before that I started seeing random bloody bms and could feel swelling down there. GI said we will probably go to treatments every 6 weeks rather than 8. I am okay with that except it is causing SEVERE headaches. The neuro gave me percocet and honestly helps a little but not much. I am also still having random bloody BMs - like yesterday. Mucus has been there the entire time since starting Remicade.

I see my GI this Tuesday and will ask that he give me a reason not to have surgery. I also have an appt. scheduled Dec 3 with a surgeon I saw a few months ago for consult (better safe than sorry)

I am 100% fine with surgery except I am scared to death for my family. I am the breadwinner of the family and also have a 7 yr. old angel of a daughter. I am frightened about the financial implications of being off work weeks and the stress it will put on all of us (knowing it will be a rough few months/year).

With all that said I am VERY thankful for my immediate and extended family. I have accepted the fact I have the disease and can't change it. I just know deep down that surgery is the only option at this point.

Probably just rambling on as I am sitting at the empty office today. Still much better than fighting the shopping crowds: )

Take care all

I complain but I really feel I have it better than 99% of the people around (hell I would say 100% but that might offend someone: ). My work is very understanding and I just hit my 10 year anniversary here last week. Starting next year I will have four weeks of vacation which is obviously awesome. Unfortunately unless I can get approved for our short term disability buy up, i will only get 40% of pay when I am out.

Thanks,

Just the mainstream meds. I ask my GI if there are any alternatives I should try. I am hesitant about going down a long path to be honest.

As soystud says, there is no wrong way. Surgery will "cure" your UC (if that is what you have, won't cure Crohns though). A lot of the alternative treatments do take awhile to start seeing noticeable benefit, but definitely not all of them.

Fecal transplants often see immediate improvement even after the very first infusion.

If you do change your mind and do want to consider alternative treatments, here are a few of them (excluding fecal transplants as I have mentioned them above): LDN, triple antibiotic therapy, e-cigs, pig worm eggs, Chinese herbs, Meletonin

There's diet modifications as well: SCD, Paleo, low FODMAP, Spinach + Sunflower Seeds, GAPS diet

Then there are supplements (that have induced remission): heavy dose of probiotics (VSL #3 DS), psyllium husk/seed powder, boswellia

These are what you can get NOW, but there are still other drugs that are currently in trial and may possibly be coming out soon such as vedolizumab.

Definitely not a complete list, just what I can think off the top of my head. I personally believe our doctors only know bout half of all the possible treatments out there. The other half, the patients themselves know.

one of the members here, bootstrap, has a great blog about her recent jpouch surgery, you should check it out, its called fighting for it or something like that.  Have you ever tried imuran? i've been having a pretty good run with that after a 4+ year flare up.....  that being said, if i had tried everything and was really bad, i think i would def opt for surgery.  good luck!