One Little Victory

I had my followup appointment today to assess how things have been since coming off the steroids.  Other than a little acne (feeling 18 again), things had been pretty good over the past few weeks.  Unfortunately, the last two days have been outta sorts with joint pain and much more urgency with the movements.  The abscess seems to have healed, but the pouch seems to be a little angry and inflammed.  The doctors think coming off the steroids was a little too fast for me and being on them for so long.  (Go figure - I didn't respond as most people do.) As a result, I am going back on them for the next 5 weeks:  This will result in a longer taper and hopefully more time for my body to adjust.


With the abscess healing, the doctors are okay with me going back to work after getting re-acclimated to the steroids.  This is a victory as I can get off disability and back to work.  Ideally, I'd love to be healed completely before going back, but the steroids and antibiotics at this point are mostly maintenance (we think) and should be off of them soon.  Also, if I have to go back for further surgeries, I'd like for my management to remember who I am before I'd have to go back out again.  (There are none expected at this time, but I've learned to always plan for the worst and hope for the best.)

My next followup isn't for another 4 weeks, at which point we can access how the steroids are doing.  If they aren't working in the next week, then it may be something other than pouchitis.  I'm hoping this clears up and stays away after the steroid taper:  Chronic pouchitis is something that I really want to avoid as being on medication for the rest of my life to regulate that inflammation is something that would make me investigate other options.