Thank you, that’s helpful Scott.
The doctor called back and was clear I’ll lose the pouch if I do nothing. I’m to meet with her IBD team to discuss treatment options. She is saying biologics are recommended in a case like mine because they are most effective, and because I have many years of life expectancy (requiring pouch care).
She wasn’t saying no to other treatments and asked that I meet with the team about treatment options.
It is tough to accept after believing I had UC. And if a med has side effects, I typically get them in spades. I don’t like feeling like crap with side effects. It’s not just about weight gain. It’s also the risks with biologics. And with other treatments headaches, nausea and dizziness are typical side effects; I’m prone to those things. I was miserable for years with med side effects so I’m not excited about that possibility either. I know it’s the lesser of possible problems, but I just want to feel well.
To be continued, I suppose.