@Mysticobra posted:"after being treated for UC since 1993; my Surgeon and his Pathologist, were adamant, I had actually been suffering from Crohn’s; and therefore not a candidate for J pouch surgery"
All my Dr's felt the same with me.
Some cases are hard to diagnose either or.
I suppose some are clear one way or another and I was told a j pouch would not work in my case. But I was also told it "may work". So I tried it. Nope. Didn't work.
But I had to try. Probably would have regretted not trying. But now with my end ileo I know I tried and I'm good with the outcome. Not with the process that got me here but I'm good now.
And yes I second following Scott's advice.
R.
I’m no expert in the diagnosis of Crohn’s but when a patient has never displayed any signs or symptoms of Crohn‘s elsewhere within the digestive tract, especially for a number of years and whilst being treated for UC, then Doctors should err on the side of caution before declaring it Crohn’s.
When issues and complications develop within the J pouch but not elsewhere, is it Crohn’s ?
During a consultation with my Surgeon at St.Marks, who was also the Clinical Director; I was asked why I’d left it so long before seeking a J pouch and when I explained my initial Crohn’s diagnosis; although said briefly, I’m sure he said we no longer think that way now.
At the time, as it was so long since the creation of my ileostomy and I was beginning my J pouch journey; I didn’t give his comment much attention; hence my sketchy recollection now.