Large bowel removal during pg - is it too crazy?

:-)

Ok, yes it is crazy, but that's what happens when you are desperate.

I have Crohn's disease and have already made the decision to remove my large bowel instead of having to live on drugs. (I already have ileostomy, and I'm not "pooping" from bum, so my large bowel has not function right now other than causing terrible pain such that I'm pretty much on bed rest) Now, during my pg, its becoming more of an issue and I'm pretty limited with what meds I can take during pg -  last thing I want is to hurt the baby. It seems in my situation removing the large bowel is the magical solution. Ofcourse , having surgery esp abdominal during pg is a risk in itself. But from my perspective - anything is better than to stuff yourself with drugs.(which are not helping anyway)

I know I should be discussing this with my doctor, but I'm so frustruated, because I cannot get an earlier appointments and waiting and waiting... I thought perhaps anyone has any experience or knowledge about surgery during pregnancy....

 

Tigerlillies

I don't have first hand experience with this- but my brother has Crohn's disease and had to have part of his bowel removed.  It was MAJOR surgery.  It was a long recovery process as well.

I think it's way too crazy to get that done during pregnancy.  I also would be really surprised if you found a doctor who would do that during PG.  I read your other post as well- and I know you're not happy about taking medications during PG, but I think it might just be a necessary evil.

I would say find yourself a good perinatologist and between them and your Gastroenterologist and your OB you can come up with a plan that you're all comfortable with. 

GL!

MrsMSG

I don't have any advice, but wanted to say good luck, and I hope your doctor can help you make the best decision.

:-)

Thanks for support girls.... crohns is not fun

mishel635

I would say it would definitely be too crazy to do while you are pregnant.  For one thing I think it is probably way too major of a surgery to have while pregnant.  My little sister has had ulcerative colitis since she was 2 and had her large bowel removed when she was 15.  She had a colon pull through where they made a rectum and rectal pouch out of her small intestine so she wouldn't have an ostomy forever (she did have one for about 2 months) and it was MAJOR surgery.  We also did a living liver donor surgery the year before that, and believe it or not her colon removal surgery was longer than her liver transplant!  (the transplant surgery for me was about 10 hours, for her it was about 15 hours, and her colon surgery was almost 18 hours!)  Also, she had a lot of issues afterwards with malnutrition and dehydration while her body adjusted and I don't think you would want to deal with that while you're pregnant.  That being said I would definitely check with your doctor though- that's what they get paid the big bucks for!

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do and I hope everything works out for you!  I have a couple of friends with Crohn's and I can't imagine what you're going through!  Good luck!

taureanbuddhist

my hubby has Crohn's so i know some of what you are going through...he is currently on immunosuppressive medication...is that what you are taking? i would definitely talk to your gastroenterologist and MFM specialists to see what the best course of action may be...they could put you on a less effective med but one that would decrease risks to baby...surgery for surgery's sake will not solve the problem...and while this may be the eventual course that you will take, i would definitely use caution now...esp with LO in the picture...GL with your decision:)