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Symptoms of pouchitis??

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Posted 5/14/2015 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone!
I'm just about 3 months post takedown and was wondering what the symptoms are for pouchitis? I have been having some cramping pains pretty much since takedown but now have some pain at stoma incision site as well. Also when I go to the bathroom I leave feeling like the pouch isn't completely empty and have to try pretty well to empty where as before it seemed to empty very easily as I went pee. This doesn't really hinder my daily activities or increase the frequency that I go, it's just kind of uncomfortable not being able to empty completely and kind of straining. Just wondering if this could be pouchitis or something similar and if not, what are the symptoms that I should look for in the future? Thanks!
Posted 5/14/2015 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
Pouchitis symptoms are like the flu; abdominal cramping, foamy output, high frequency, and low grade fever. The pain at your stoma is most likely adhesions; your inability to completely empty could be a stricture. To be on the safe side you may want to see your surgeon or GI to check for a stricture; it's easily fixed in the office.

Sue
Posted 5/14/2015 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! Yeah I emailed my surgeon this morning so I'll have to see what he says about it.
Posted 5/14/2015 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
My pouchitis symptoms are not that severe, I have liquid output, some burning and I feel like sometimes my pouch isn't empty.

I agree with Suebear that it sounds like a stricture or an adhession(s).

I've had both a stricture and pouchitis at the same time; you should get your pouch looked at.
Posted 5/16/2015 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same exact thing you are describing about two months after my takedown. It ended up being an anal stricture. I had it dilated and felt so much better. It did come back though about three weeks later and I had to go have it dilated again. I repeated this a few more times before it finally stayed open.
Posted 5/16/2015 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies! That sounds like what it might be since the symptoms are the same. My surgeon emailed me back though and said it is just normal for the first couple months and should improve. He told me to check back in a month or two if it doesn't improve. I'm thinking it probably is a structure though if you all had one with the same symptoms. I guess I'll give it a little time and email him back if it continues, like he said. Thanks again everyone!
Posted 5/16/2015 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
If it's really bothering you and making you uncomfortable don't wait. No sense putting yourself through that dicomfort needlessly. It bugs me when they say "oh it's normal....just wait and see". No one knows your body but you and if you feel like something isn't right they should check you out.
Posted 5/17/2015 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
How about your GI? Will your GI scope you? Surgeons schedules are usually based around surgeries and consultations, not scopes.

I go to my GI for all of my "pouch care", he is familiar with J-pouches which is important. My surgeon recommended that I go to my GI for all my follow up care.
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