Wow...what a wacko you went to. I saw a colorectal surgeon in August. A Dr. Mark Pello here in south Jersey. He was wonderful! At the time I saw him, I was tapered off the pred for only two weeks but started feeling the flare coming on ...again. I was hospitalized for ten days in May. Now, mind you, this guy makes his living off of operations. He listened intently to my woes, looked at my colonoscopy report and hospital report. He then asked if he could look up my rectum. No sigmoidoscopy, just a look. I agreed. He said I was inflamed, but not too bad. The exam was a tad uncomfortable, but not unbearable. His expert opinion was that I was NOT yet a candidate for surgery. He then elaborated on what the entire surgery would entail and that since on a bad day, I go about six times, while good days only twice, but I do bleed and have urgency, patients who are candidates go in upwards of sometimes 20 times a day, with bleeding, urgency, severe loss of weight. I have lost about 15 lbs since April. He also was very thorough in explaining the complications of this surgery.
Needless to say, I was very impressed with this most professional and compassionate man. He added that sometimes UC has a way of burning itself out, and he was hoping it would happen for me. He was in total agreement with the treatment I am receiving from my GI doctor and has no affiliation with him. This is a disease of unknown origin and no known cure other than the removal of the colon. Should my symptoms worsen or become intolerable, I most certainly will see this surgeon again. Let's hope that doesn't happen.
62 yr old granny. South Jersey
Diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis in 1998 in hospital
Hospitalized (2nd time) in May 2008
Still flaring. Afraid that I am pred dependant. Back on Pred 40 mgm for five days, then taper. Other meds...Colazal, 6MP, Nexium, Cort enemas, Canasa suppository, Benicar, Toprol xl, water pill.
Calcium, Probiotic, Flaxseed oil capsule, multivitamin with Iron
Also have osteoporosis and high blood pressure
Remicade NOT an option. Not a candidate for surgery yet..says surgeon.