Misdianosis

[Videos]

They treated my wife for four years for Ulcerative Colitius,  then took her colon out, then told us it was Chrones. Why would the hospital lab, twice, say it was UC. If they had treated her for Chrones might she have been able to keep her colon. What should I do, I feel so let down by the hospital and doctors. Why could they have not determine this before the operation? Any advice, she has really suffered emotionally because of this and is in couseling.

[Wilson]

I don't know the technical differences between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, but I do know that Crohn's disease can affect the small intestine OR the colon, or both. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's colitis are very similar, if not the same disease, I think. It might just be a matter of semantics, and the implications of the "new diagnosis" insignificant. Is that possible?

[katey]

I doubt it.  Chrone's is by far more known to put patients on the operating table.  Chrone's effects everything from the esophogus to the anus, i believe.  Colitis is usually only the large intestine, but sometimes can effect the beginning of the small intestine.  Something like almost 80% of Chrone's patients have to undergo surgury to have thier colon or part of thier colons removed.  Its a MUCH smaller percentage for patients of ulcerative colitis.  Also, patients with ulcerative colitis and chrone's are at a higher risk for developing colon cancer, and now that your wife's colon has been removed, its no longer a concern.  Both diseases are known as inflammitory bowel disease.  If your wife has been diagnosed with Chrone's disease now, it would make more sense that she had to have her colon taken out.  Even when patients are treated for Chrone's, the majority will still need to undergo surgury.  I hope this helps you!!
katie

[Wilson]

Just trying to learn here - not being argumentative. What's the difference between having Crohn's disease that only presents in the colon, and having ulcerative colitis? Both are IBD of the colon, and both may or may not progress to the point of requiring surgery.

[katey]

Chrons disease causes MUCH deeper ulcerations in the layer of the intestinal wall then ulcerative colitis.  Another problem with Chrons is that after the intestines have become inflamed after many recurrent episodes, scare tissue developes and that can cause a blockage as well.  There was a young girl on this forum whose young mother had to have 90% of her colon removed due to the damage of Chrons.  The problem is that sometimes the damage  in the colon is so extensive that they HAVE to remove it.  Thier could be too much blood loss from the deep ulcerations in her colon, and sometimes its too aggressive to treat at times with medication.  Unfortunately for Chrons patients, like i said before, they are much more likely to have surgury to remove thier colon then people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Does your wife have the "j" pouch now, or a colostomey??  If your wife had a colostomey, you could talk to your doctor about the "j" pouch.  Instead of using that bag, a couple months after her operation they can sometimes go back in and make a pouch out of some of the small intestine so that she doens't have to wear a bag.  They can't do this in all circumstances, but i know that most of the time, especially in younger patients, they'll consider it.

[mikole]

What you need to know is that when damage to the colon resulting from UC is removed it does not for the most part come back. With Crohns The damaged part is removed but unfortunitally does come back typically near the area where the colon was sectioned off. In other words With UC it is typically cured when the damaged area is removed. With Crohns there is no cure.