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pouchitis (sp?)

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Posted 5/15/2012 6:04 AM (GMT 0)
What exactly is pouchitis? I was told by the nutritionist at the Clinic before I was discharged from my j pouch surgery that this will be something I need to look out for, basically for the rest of my life with the pouch. HIGH SUGAR CONTENT WILL CAUSE THIS, she said. What is pouchitis, why does high sugar content cause it, and if I do get it, how do you get rid of it? Will it go away or is this another surgery we're talking about... Also, what is considered too much sugar, because I have the biggest sweet tooth ever, all the time.

Another question that just popped in my head... and I'm embarrassed I never thought to ask about this before... but will I have my j pouch for life? Does it last that long?
Posted 5/15/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have had my J pouch for almost 2 years and I have not had pouchitis...yet. Hopefully never, but not everyone with a j pouch will necassarily get it. They believe its developes from an overgrowth of bactieria. Basically your symptoms will be similar to UC symtoms only not as bad. (from what I have read) A round of antibiotics will clear it up. Some people go on to have chronic pouchitis but that is not the norm. My sister has had her J pouch for 20 years now and she never had it either. So be aware of it but certainly do not worry about it. I never heard anything about high sugar causing pouchitis. If that's the case I should have it because I have a horrible sweet tooth!

Oh and I did ask my surgeon about it's "shelf life" and he told me my J pouch will out-live me. :)
Posted 5/15/2012 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Marianne that is the best news ever, thank you!
Posted 5/15/2012 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
High sugar content does not cause pouchitis. For most pouchers, it's an occasional problem. I've had my jpouch 11 years and have only had it once, in year 7.

Sue
Posted 5/16/2012 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
awesome post and even better replies! i was worried about pouchitis. like it's a horror story or something and you get all the time once you have the pouch.
stupid internet!!! it's always the bad experiences that pop up the most. :-)
Posted 5/16/2012 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
Won't ever pertain to my husband...but great reassuring news for those who have or will get a jpouch.

I keep in the back of my mind all the "what ifs" associated with the permanent ileostomy that some of you unfortunately have to battle with. But can't worry and obsess over it as I was initially doing. Definitely have an awareness and I touch upon different things with hubby to have an awareness as well. You don't know from one day to the next what the heck is gonna happen so when you are lucky enough to have no real issues to contend with, enjoy life for the time being.
Posted 5/16/2012 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
not to mention, if you know or suspect pouchitis, more often than not, you just go a round on antibiotics and it clears it up.....its when people wait and wonder and suffer that it becomes a big deal. also, not many people have chronic pouchitis......

i feel like, aside from new pouchers, most should notice when something changes so much, and they should go get checked!!!!! then it iwll be fine most of the time!
Posted 5/17/2012 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
If sugar caused it, I would be in big trouble! :-). Seriously though, I eat chocolate almost daily, sweetened cereals, and I take energy gels when I run that are basically pure sugar. No issues. I would not worry yourself. As I understand it, many of us will never have it and those that do usually just go on antibiotics and that's the end of it.
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