This forum is an un-mediated, patient-to-patient forum for questions and support regarding
Crohn’s Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis issues such as: Abdominal Pain, Arthritis, Bleeding (Rectal), Blockage (Intestinal), Delayed Development (Children), Diagnosis, Diarrhea, Fissures, Gall Stones, Growth - Stunted (Children),
Kidney Stones, Living With and Managing Crohn’s, Malnutrition, Medications – Drugs, Nutrition, Pregnancy, Protein Deficiency, Research, Skin Problems, Stress, Surgery, Symptoms, Tests, Treatments, Ulcerations – Sores, Weight Loss
To answer your question, my understanding is that UC can become Crohn's, and vice versa. (I am not 100% sure about this) but I believe this is how my gastroenterologist was explaining it to me. The way he told me was that if I had surgery on my ileum, the Crohn's would almost certainly come back within a few years in a new section of the intestine. Therefore, there is no way to totally get rid of it - it will find a way back into your small intestine or large intestine, where it is called UC.