I am a 28 year old female diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 4 years ago. My 1st episode of UC was very severe. I was hospitalized for 1 month (took 3 weeks and a hospital transfer to UNC Chapel Hill for the diagnosis). Since then I have been hospitalized 3 additional times (averaging once a year, every year, around the same time). I take Asocol and Remicade. Even with this medication, I continue to have UC episodes (some more extreme than others). I am not sure how to control this disease and I am considering the surgery. My GI Dr was concerned with going through the surgery because of my age (too young). Unfortunately I am anemic, often dehydrated, and tend to stress easily. I try to watch my diet (eat mostly seafood and chicken) and try not to overwork.
My symptoms for UC are as follows: abdominal pain, fevers, headaches, rectal bleeding (sometimes with mucus), feeling weak and fatigue, distorted vision, feeling faint, sharp pains/spasms, constipation, and rapid weight gain (stomach and face swells).
I have taken many medications. I have taken CYCLOSPORINE, ASOCOL, MSCOTIN, PREDNISONE, VICODIN, PEROCET, MORPHINE, FLAGYL, FENTYL, AMBIEN, etc. I am immune to most pain medications. I have to take high dosages of pain medication in order for it to take effect. Because of the lack of comfort pain medications give me, I usual try to work through the discomfort and pain (don't want to absorb too much narcotics with my illness). I have a severe reaction to most antibiotics (Cipro, Zithromax, etc).
Should I consider surgery? Can surgery cause more harm? Is it possible to continue to have UC episodes AFTER surgery? Are there alternative medications? Is there a pain medication strong enough to ease pain, without causing harm to my body? What causes a relap? How can I prevent a relaps? What is the difference from Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's?