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Pouchitis ?

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Posted 12/21/2017 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
I’ve had increase urgency and it’s getting worse every day. By the evening, I’m going to the bathroom every 45 min (if not less) and sometimes I barely make it to the bathroom. I know what it mean so to feel healthy. When I got out of the hospital with my gastro bug a few weeks back I felt great. Now I’m straining every time i go- and I feel like I pulled a muscle near my incision site- it pretty uncomfortable and definitely associated with the straining. I feels like my rectum is inflamed, like when I had UC. /:

Might call my doc and tell her that’s what I suspect. How can they diagnose it? Do they need to see it?
Posted 12/21/2017 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had the anuscope? it takes 5 seconds. I am sure that's all they need to see what's going on.

Keith will know more, as he's dealt with pouchitis, but I've had the mini-scope that they do in the surgeons office and it's really quick. I hope it's not pouchitis, but then again, if it is, there are options you can try.
Posted 12/21/2017 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Start with a stool test and blood work; those are the easiest. If they comeback clear then ask for a scope which usually takes longer.

I’m probably due for another scope; going one 3 years without one. I’ve had ulcers in the first two scopes and did not respond to antibiotics, which lead to the chronic pouchitis diagnosis.

Don’t worry about, give it a few more months and more tests. I doubt that you have pouchitis but it could be; get all the tests first before you(we) jump to conclusions
Posted 12/21/2017 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like it could be pouchitis. If it is, a course of antibiotics does wonders. Ive had pouchitis several times and flagyl helps it resolve. It is a ten-day course, but you can tell it's so much better after just the first day of treatment.
Posted 12/21/2017 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
Symptoms of pouchitis include the following:

•Greater need to pass stools
•Tenesmus (painful spasms and straining of the anal sphincter while passing little or no waste matter)
•Straining during defecation
•Blood in the stool
•Incontinence (loss of control over bodily functions)
•Seepage of waste matter while asleep
•Increased frequency in nighttime bowel movements
•Abdominal cramps
•Discomfort in the pelvic area or lower abdomen
•tail bone pain

In severe cases, symptoms may also include:

•Fever
•Dehydration (extreme thirst), dry skin, dry lips, confusion (in severe cases) caused by the loss of electrolytes and water
•Malnutrition that sends the patient to the emergency room or hospital
•Iron-deficiency anemia and/or a low vitamin D level
•Severe joint pain
•Fatigue
Posted 12/21/2017 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
You have a new pouch, don’t jump to conclusions, I’ve seen people say that their pouch adjustment period has been worse than their flares. I didn’t not have an adjustment period.

I’m doing very well with my pouchitis, shockingly I only had 1 BM on Tuesday and it was well formed. I’m usually 3-4 times a day depending on gas.
Posted 12/26/2017 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
doggie, how are you doing? Please update us, we are rooting for you. Happy holidays!
Posted 12/27/2017 1:29 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for checkig in. I’m doing better. I’m still going upwards of 15 times a day but the urgency and straining has subsided a little. Been seeing blood on the toilet paper a few times. I’ve been taking Metemucil once a day, and increasing fiber as per the doc’s instructions. My doc also prescribed my Questran. ITs just a challenge now to try and space that out between my oils- can’t take it 2 hours before or 6 hours after. And the Metemucil I have to take 2 hours before and 2 hours after medicine. Whatever i can do To help this I will! Fingers crossed.
Posted 12/27/2017 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Blood can also be hemmies, so I wouldn't expect anything terrible. Do you have an appointment to get seen? Hopefully it's just a hemmie. I have one now actually but it doesn't bleed, but it's still a bump and it's gross. You're still so soon out from surgery, 15 could be 100% normal at this point. smile
Posted 12/27/2017 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
The blood at this point could be cuffitius (inflammation of the rectal cuff), it could be inflamed because you’re going so often. It could even be some fissures. Both of those are normal and can be usually treated pretty effectively.

I’d get a stool test, blood work, have your GI do a visual/digit exam and then schedule a scope.
Posted 12/29/2017 5:01 PM (GMT 0)
Doggiedo,

How's it going?
Posted 12/31/2017 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there. Feeling better, for sure. The Metemucil helps and the other a stuff drink. I still have random bouts of diarrhea but nothing like last week. My bloodwork and stool sample all came back okay so they are holding on the exam for now. Fingers crossed things keep going well.

I’m still going a lot- probably 10x a day. I try and hold it as long as I can, without having an accident obliviously. I tell myself to breathe and that the urge will give away in a min and it usually does.
Posted 12/31/2017 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news. 10x is pretty normal territory. It will continue to get easier.
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