Am I Ready For Surgery? J-Pouch or Not?

Introduction:

I’m 46 and was finally diagnosed with UC in May 2011 after having symptoms for 6 years! Been through all the meds and doctor is starting to talk about surgery. I’m scared, frustrated and getting depressed!

Am I Ready for Colitis Surgery:

I haven’t been having any success with medications for my Ulcerative Colitis issues. I’ve been in the ER a few times in the past few years for dehydration and low potassium from the diarrhea. The last time was right before Thanksgiving, I was admitted for 4 days and put on IVs for fluids and potassium while being monitored for my heart. I didn’t know that low potassium can cause heart defibrillation, so that was a little scary when they told me that they were putting me in the cardiac care unit. My doctor is starting to talk about surgery as my last option. I’m not sure I’m ready for that step. But then, I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for that step. I saw a story from someone on this site who had Ulcerative Proctitis, which I also have along with colitis higher up in my colon. I saw that his doctor told him he had a good chance of getting cancer someday because of the Proctitis. Now THAT, scares me! I work with a woman who is about my age, 46 and I never would have known it, but she shared with me that she had her colon removed when she was 18 years old. It gives me a lot of hope when I see how great she looks and how she lives such an active life. She tells me that the J-pouch wasn’t even available when she had hers done.

I’d like to hear from people who have had the surgery and

are waiting for the J-pouch to be connected

or those who are already finished with the process.

I’ve been seeing so many different opinions from people saying they either love or hate the pouch, I know everyone has a different experience and we all heal in our own way, but I’m looking for any advice I can find. Thanks for any input you can give!

written by Katie

submitted in the Colitis Venting Area