Expert: Odette Yuhas - 4/25/2004

Question
Hi,

I have a close friend who has crohn's. He is 45 years old and he is on some kind of medication for it and regulary goes to the hospital to receive some sort of treatment, I forget what the treatment is called exactly.

He's had crohn's for many years. They used to think it was just bad heart burn but then it got diagnosed as crohn's. About every so often he gets really bad stomach pains and has to lay in bed in agony until it passes. But then the next day he's fine again and is very active otherwise and healthy and normal.

I'm just curious... my main question is about what exact percentage of crohn's patients require an ostomy bag later in life? Is the percentage VERY low (like 1%) or moderate (like 50%)? I guess he'll need to have surgery later in life since he's 45 years old (and his crohn's gets pretty bad sometimes with stomach pain) and he's freaked out that one day when he's much older he'll require an ostomy bag. Do you think this is likely or not very likely at all? Just curious what the usual percentage is...

Thanks for your time and opionion,
Ashley

Answer
Hi Ashley,

Depending on the times and how much intestines the future holds for him.  If he takes his medications like he should, there is a very small risk of being "bagged".  I had my 1st and only surgery at the age of 43 and now I am going on 55.  I had 6 foot of large and 6 ft. of small intestines removed and have no ostomy bag.  The important thing is for him to take care of himself!

Odette