Need some comfort/help - not a candidate for J-pouch? Can only have Colostomy bag?

there are 5000 people there with pouches, join the discussion group and ask your questions.

GI docs will try and save the colon with meds almost at all costs, but there comes a time when the meds just dont work anymore, then it is time to see the surgeon.

If the rectum is really bad they will also strip the mucosa from the rectum, but that can lead to less control. Pouch surgery is amazing and it works for many people, although there will be difficulties along the way to health. Your husband is probably not a great canidate right

now until he can get off of the steroids and gain some weight if that is possible.

Before my son has his surgery they had to fatten him up for a week on TPN before they would do it, also he had just came off of failed colon rescue IV cyclosporin and high dose

steroids. Old Mike

I'm a long time lurker on J-Pouch.org and they are fattening my husband up with TPN as we speak.  We know that we need to get off the steriods asap.  I figure we'll try to taper as we shop for GIs and surgeons.  Either way he can still have the ileostomy now and then taper more for the pouch.

Thanks Suebear for your "only in the rectum" info.  You were the one I was referring to when I "challenged" him about it.

I just can't believe what we would have done without the internet.  We wouldn't have been able to instantly talk to dozens of people with the same problems and get feedback and find out that this guy is full of it.  Thank God for the Internet.

Post Edited (UC Wife in MD) : 2/15/2008 7:16:00 AM (GMT-7)