Digestive ostomy for IBDs: causes, equipment and psychological impact

Have any of you considering getting an ostomy? Did your doctor offer you this a choice to help with the treatment of your Crohn's?

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Also, we recently did an interview with a member who has an ileostomy, if you would like to read her testimonial then you can find it by clicking HERE.

@JosephineO  I already have an ileostomy I wasn't given an option unfortunately I went down to theatre for what we thought was another normal resection i had already had 4 in the past but unfortunately when I came round from the anesthetic I had the ileostomy, I was told that more of the bowel was infected than they first thought and they had  no choice but to take so much that I had to have the ileostomy and I had had so much intestine removed now that it is permanent.

I was diagnosed with crohns at 21 and had several flare-ups and gallstones which necessitated surgery. I stubbornly refused any medication and managed to complete degrees at Uni, had 2 children in spite of advice to the contrary. I worked abroad for a couple of years and always had a mental map of where the nearest loo was located. However at 45 (around the time of my menopause I had a serious attack and knew from the first acute pain that I was in for trouble. The consultant took one look at me and rang the hospital. He was very annoyed that I had not had any follow up for several years and said there was no choice but an ileostomy. I refused absolutely. Eventually, another consultant was called for a second opinion and he said to wait and see but I was prescribed heavy doses of steroids and in spite of (or because of) this I was rushed back into the hospital a few weeks later with Peritonitis and a pelvic ulcer......still refusing a stoma of any kind! The surgeon was roused from his bed and I lapsed in and out of consciousness still refusing to accept an ileostomy. When I came to the surgeon smiled and said that he had spent 5 hours in surgery and no stoma but not much bowel left but assured me that it would give me another 10 years. That was 30 years ago and I am still in remission and enjoying the good red wine and sunshine of southern France. My French doctor claims that it is because of the quality of the Medoc wine but I believe that it is happiness and the love of a good man. I still need a mental map of all public toilets...but that is a small price to pay.