Colostomy helpful for Crohn's

[hrsallee]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's approximately 15 years ago with recurrent perianal abscesses/fistulas. Has anyone found that a colostomy was helpful in eliminating the recurring abscesses? I would be willing to have the surgery if it would it would solve the problem.

[sdsurfer76]

i just found out today that i'll be going in for ostomy surgery for that very reason in a week or so.  i have to make the appointment.  i too have CD, diagnosed in 1993.  what i thought was colonic inertia the docs now say is perianal disease that is not allowing me to go to the bathroom or have a complete evacuation when i do.  basically the rectum/anus is closing up due to inflammation and scar tissue from perianal disease and the abscesses.  ostomy surgery is supposed to solve it....

crazy harry

[Cleo]

I had rectal crohns at the time of surgery and they found 17 fistulas. Only 4 of them had surfaced around the rectum. They said I needed the colostomy to bypass the rectum and give it a chance to heal. I have not had a problem since. I had surgery in Jan. of 2005.

I have however developed about 6 inches of active disease going in from my stoma. I developed an abcess there about a month ago. My GI labled me a remicade failure and convinced my insurance to pay for humira. The ulcers I could actually see on the outside of my stoma are gone and so is the pain! I figure eventually it will have to be removed but for now I'm doing fine.

NO chance I'm having a reversal. I'm happy with the colostomy. I'm told the chances of the same thing happening with a reversal are pretty high. I say forget it. I have no desire to go thru that again. Take care!

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Cindy