Re: J-pouch surgery-Michigan Hunter Cindy, Maureen, Aubrey, Kath

[Guest guest]

Dave,

I have UC, not Crohn's so my knowledge is somewhat limited in this

area but I believe the reason the doctors tend to lean towards UC is

the lack of disease in the small intestine where Crohn's most often

is found. That is not always the case and Crohn's can occur anywhere

along the digestive tract but is most often the case. Lesions found

with Chrons vs UC also tend to penetrate deeper into the lining of

the bowel and so perhaps they are able to draw their conclusions from

the appearance of these areas.

I hope that your surgery goes well. Being local to where you surgery

will be done, if there is any information or support you or your

family need please feel free to e-mail me privately and I will do my

best to accomodate.

in Seattle

UC 1991, PSC 2001

> - In my case, the key question is do I have UC or Crohn's? It was

> always indeterminate for

> me (even the definitive antibody test was inconclusive in my case,

> which it is in 10% of the

> people). Ultimately, Dr. Kozarek and my gastroenterologist in

> Bozeman agreed that I have

> UC. This is the one aspect that I am not 100% comfortable with.

> When I ask how they

> know for sure, it is due to the " appearance " or the fact that in the

> 2 feet of my small

> intestine past the colon, there was no sign of the disease. I was

> looking for more objective

> or conclusive data but decided to defer to their judgement. After

> all they each have 25+

> years of looking at colons.

>

> It has been an emotional roller coaster these past few months, but I

> am pretty comfortable

> with my decision. (and it has taken my mind off my liver; by the

> way, my liver enzymes

> have been the lowest in 20 years of PSC). And when compared to

having

> cancer, a

> colectomy is a much better option. (I'm not out of the woods, I'll

> know for sure after the

> pathologist examines my colon.)

>

> I'll let you know how things go. I will be out of touch with the

> group after tomorrow for a

> while. (Thanks again for your past comments

> , Maureen,

> Aubrey and Kath--this group is so helpful and supportive)

>

> Dave in MT (UC 1978, PSC 1984, first PSC symptoms March 2003, J-

pouch

> (if all goes well)

> June 2004)

[Guest guest]

,

One thing I forgot to mention was that Dr. Kozarec said that the

biopsies can be evidence

of UC as well. He didn't change the diagnosis after getting the

biopsy results so I can only

assume that they support the UC diagnosis.

If we need anything I or my wife will e-mail you. Thanks so

much for your offer of support.

Regards,

Dave in MT

(UC 1978, PSC 1984, first PSC symptoms March 2003,

J-pouch (if all goes well) June 2004)

> Dave,

>

> I have UC, not Crohn's so my knowledge is somewhat limited in this

> area but I believe the reason the doctors tend to lean towards UC

is

> the lack of disease in the small intestine where Crohn's most often

> is found. That is not always the case and Crohn's can occur

anywhere

> along the digestive tract but is most often the case. Lesions

found

> with Chrons vs UC also tend to penetrate deeper into the lining of

> the bowel and so perhaps they are ...

[Guest guest]

Dave, good luck this week. I know coming to the

decision to have your colon removed can never be taken

lightly.

I had a dx of Chron's for the first 8 years and then

the dx was switched to UC. I think when UC is rearing

it's ugly head, it appears to be more like Chron's

thus making it very difficult for a determinate dx.

There are alot of positives for having the surgery and

the first and foremost is removing the risk of colon

cancer.

Keep a positive attitude and if things start looking

dismal, remember, it's always better than cancer.

If you need advice afterwards, don't hesitate to let

me know.

Oh yeah, when you have the takedown remember to take

some iLEX cream with you so you don't get a sore bottom.

=====

Baudoux-Northrup

__________________________________________________