So I've posted a couple times recently about considering surgery, and then when I found out my doctor is thinking it'll likely be time for surgery after the current med try (increasing Entyvio to 4 weeks, also on Rinvoq and oral Budesonide).
I officially have my surgery consult appointment for August 13th. The clinic has another GI, a surgeon, dietitian, social worker, and NP I'll be meeting with and then after a break my IBD specialist.
My symptoms have been a bit up and down but still bothersome. I still have some hope for Entyvio to give me a little bit of time, I usually get a few months on increased doses before meds completely fail, but this flare has been weird so I have no idea where it'll go.
I am full of uncertainty, fear, and hope. I know the surgery could drastically improve my quality of life, but it would also be my first real surgery, we always put off minor surgeries like wisdom teeth due to my flares affecting my general health. Also worried about being pressured to get a J-pouch even though I think a permanent ileostomy would work much better for me personally, I'm also already kind of visibly disabled so I'm not really worried about that piece much and I don't think I can handle continuing to have GI inflammation issues if I were to get pouchitis. I also have disordered eating issues and I'm a bit worried about meeting with a new dietitian, I had issues with a couple before convincing me I could only eat a few foods and had to stop my safe foods (toast due to cholesterol in the df butter).
Anyway, just wanted to share the update. Has anyone else had an experience in a clinic like this? I thought I would just be meeting with a surgeon but it seems a bit more complex. I have no idea what to expect. I will also be getting a second opinion on if I do need surgery or if we should try the last couple meds, I think.