My name is David Tracy, I live in charleston, SC, i have been suffering with UC since middle of 2007. Prior to that i was living in denial that anything was wrong, always thinking whats happening to me would eventually go away, well it didnt diagnosed in 2008, been on every medicine available, nothing worked as good as humira, recently that has ended as well, my doctor has asked me to start thinking about surgery and it scares the hell out of me. so here i am, pretty much lost as ever and not sure what to do anymore.

David,

That's pretty much the story of most who chose to have a surgery. I am sorry that medications didn't work on you. I am the same way - nothing worked and I didn’t want to be on prednisone for life, so the only option I had left was surgery. I found this forum after I had my step 1 of 2. And I think I am glad I didn't find it prior to my surgery because I am not sure if I had still gone forward with my decision. Most on this forum are here to ask advice on issues that may be facing. There are many many more out there who have no issues. I wish you all the best with your decision and hope & pray that you are one of those who never have to post a question on this site.

Good luck!

Do you regret it?

DG, I have had UC for 26 years pretty well controlled most of the years but now Low Grade Dysplasia (precancer) has showed up so I have a 1 possibly 2 step j-pouch surgery scheduled for Feb.13th. I do not want colon cancer! I have read alot on this site that has scared the "crap" outta me, however I am glad I read all the negative and positive things on this site. There are tons of people who are not consulting on this site and are out living their lives, they check in once in a while to give us updates and we appreciate that, and we def. appreciate all the veteran pouchers out there who can guide us thru situations others no nothing about. If you choose to have this surgery it will be a tough recovery for sure , no one here will sugar coat that , but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the majority of pouchers I have found out. Good luck on whatever decision you choose.

Honestly speaking, sometimes, when I am having trouble (frequency, blockage, butt burn, etc.), I slightly start to think that I regret my decision. But, I quickly think about how bad UC symptoms were and how prednisone was killing me slowly, I thank God for having option of surgery available to me. Besides, I am only 10 months past take down. As per doctors and other jpouchers, I have to give 1-2 years for things to settle down.
There are other posts on the same topic. You may want to do search (find button on upper left).
Again, I wish you all the best.

+1 Holly M; well said and nicely balanced. While it is a tough surgery and recovery (especially if you are ill going into it) and there are certainly risks involved, the results can definitely be a 'game changer' as it blessedly was for me. Prayers & Best Wishes, Steve