J-pouch cramping, spasms, anal burning

Greetings to all, I am new to this form but a veteran to UC and now 14 years with a J-Pouch. As many of you know a total colectomy with an ileo-anal reservoir (J-Pouch) is typically done in 3 separate surgeries. In my case, and due to my impatience and persistence the surgeon agreed to combine operations 2 and 3 into one surgery. I did not come through it very well, in fact for the first 48 hours it appeared that the surgeries failed. Finally my body began utilizing the pouch, but it was a long hard recovery. In fact I never did fully recover. I now struggle with abdominal spasms, cramping, and severe anal burning from digestive enzymes leaking. Does anyone one else struggle in this way. Thank you for any insights you can offer pertaining to this matter.
Frank John

Thank you for your response. I want to add that the trade-off was well worth the struggles I now deal with. Hence the J-Pouch and the Lord did indeed give me my life back.

Frank John said...
I now struggle with abdominal spasms, cramping, and severe anal burning from digestive enzymes leaking. Does anyone one else struggle in this way. Thank you for any insights you can offer pertaining to this matter.
Frank John

Have you seen a surgeon about this or a GI who is familiar with j-pouches? I'm unsure what you mean about digestive enzymes leaking, some j-pouch patients get the occasional butt burn which they treat with diaper creams. I've never had that issue with my J-pouch.

Have you had any scans done? you could have so scar tissue or strictures.

My take-down was about 4 months ago and I'm struggling to get things settled down; I ended up with an abscess and skin infection at the take-down site which lead to me going on antibiotics for a month, which then caused me to get c.diff and more antibiotics and then pouchitis which lead to more antibiotics and now I have Trush from all the antibiotics so I'm on an antifungal medication now too. My GI sent me last week for an MRI to check for adhesions and I find out the results on Friday when I see him plus he wants more stool, urine and blood cultures when I am there.

I really like my j-pouch even with all the current temporary issues that I have, it's so much better than having UC.