I’ve been struggling with UC off and on for 10 year. I’ve tried every biological out there and only 2 ever provided any relief. Recently I was hospitalised twice for my symptoms. I had no option left except for surgery. I ended up having a colectomy and ileostomy. This is supposed to cure UC but it didn’t. What they don’t tell you is that a standard colectomy usually leaves a tiny portion of the bowel and rectum still connected to the anus. If you had active disease in that area like I do you still have UC and some of the symptoms. You will still pass blood, mucus and intestinal shedding. This is still very painful for me. To completely eliminate the disease these remaining sections need to be removed. This also comes with serious side effects. Because this part of the surgery is performed quite low in the pelvis there is a high risk of blood vessel and nerve damage. This damage will most likely result in erectile dysfunction for men, loss of bladder control in both men and women and potential prostate issue for men. So I’m almost 2 weeks post surgery with a lot of my original symptoms, yes the pain is less and less frequent, still active disease as well as a stomach bag. Was the surgery worth it? My body went into starvation mode and I almost died, so yes it was necessary to keep me alive. Has my quality of life improved? Very slightly. My ability to do things with my daughter, my family are still extremely limited. I have to be honest I am actively looking into our Right To Die laws here. Living like this is almost impossible and I don’t know if I can handle it anymore. I’m not saying treatments and surgeries don’t work, just nothing works for me anymore. I’m trying to stay positive but when you are in constant pain and can barely leave your house, what really is left.