HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Surgery

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/27/2015 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
im at the Cleveland clinic and I have c diff, a blood clot, and CMV infection. I've only been treated with humira but the doctors want me to have surgery?? I'm not sure what to do.
Posted 2/27/2015 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I personally wouldn't rush to have surgery. I don't know anything about blood clots, is the surgery for the blood clot or for your colon? I would imagine if you needed surgery for the blood clot, that's necessary, but I would try to get the infections under control before making any decisions about my colon. What if your symptoms are all from the CMV and c diff and it's temporary and you lose your colon over that? I wouldn't be okay with that. I do not know your history so it's easy for me to say this, you will need to go based on what's best for you.
Posted 2/27/2015 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
What symptoms are you having from the CMV infection? Many people carry the virus but it remains dormant in most people. It can be reactivated and attack many different parts of the body. Most times an active case of CMV will go away on it's own, but it is very dangerous if the colon is involved and can be life threatening. If it is attacking your colon, there is a chance that with heavy duty anti virals it can go into remission without surgery, but it really depends on how sick you are. You also have the complications of c-diff, a blood clot, and a weakened immune system from the Humira. A very tough call. Can you talk to another doctor and see what they say?

If it was me and the CMV was in my colon, I think I would opt for the surgery. This is a worry of mine because I do carry CMV in my body from a mono-like infection many years ago.
Posted 2/27/2015 6:51 PM (GMT 0)
Just from your short post it would be easy for us to say, "don't do it" but you are at the Cleveland Clinic and they have your whole history. They aren't a mom and pop doctors office and have a great reputation so it would be hard for most of us to vote against their recommendation.
Posted 2/27/2015 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Gary with his suggestion, you are at a great hospital and they know your situation better than we do.

I can add that I had surgery last year and I feel great. I only wish that I did it sooner. But I did try all the usual medications before surgery so I have no regrets but I also did not have your CMV infection and blood clot issues.

If you are going to have surgery then head over to j-pouch.org to read about it and ask questions.
Posted 2/27/2015 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
No one here knows anything about you. Only you know your situation and how bad off (or not) you are. It would be irresponsible of anyone to say "don't rush into surgery" or "have surgery" when they don't know your situation. You are in a top notch Hosptial right now. Listen to your doctors...discuss your situation with your family. Talk to a surgeon to get the facts. And make a well informed decsion. For the record I had j pouch surgery going on 5 years ago and it's been a God send.
Posted 2/27/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
You haven't really given us any info on your disease whatsoever so it's hard to make a recommendation. If you are at Cleveland Clinic and they know your case, I would listen to them. Some people do need colon removal from severe cases of C diff if they are not responding to antibiotics. Have they mentioned fecal transplant?
Posted 2/27/2015 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
surgery for what ?

like others have said, you haven't given us a lot of info -

regardless, i would ask a LOT of questions, try to ascertain the level of emergency, and make the best decision you can -

good luck -
Posted 2/27/2015 7:44 PM (GMT 0)
It's intimidating and you could at least get more comfort with a second opinion. I'd at least do that.
Posted 2/27/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I could be totally wrong about this but the medications that they use to treat blood clots probably makes the UC bleeding symptoms worse.
Posted 2/28/2015 6:28 AM (GMT 0)
What is cmv?
Posted 2/28/2015 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
CMV is cytomegalovirus. Based on what I have read about it many people probably carry the virus and don't even know it because it usually doesn't have any symptoms or they are so mild it's mistaken for something else. Only rarely does it cause severe symptoms. Here's a link that tells you a little more about it.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cmv/basics/definition/con-20029514
Posted 2/28/2015 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Crazy! Op I hope you feel better soon and get relief!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply