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Life After J-Pouch

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/13/2009 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I started having problems with UC in June 2008. I finally went to see a doctor about it in November, and then due to a misdiagnosis, I didn't get the treatment I needed. I went back in May 2009, and after a blood test where my hemoglobin was discovered to be 5.3, I went to the hospital, and was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I've been on medicine and treatments since then, and am slowly getting better, but I was wondering what a J-Pouch is like.

I don't plan on getting one anytime soon, as I know it's possible to get through this and then never see it again, but it's always an option.


Anyone who has had the surgery, can you answer some questions for me?
-What was the actual surgical experience like? (preparations, post-operation feelings...)

-What happens after you eat a meal? How soon do you have to go?

-Is there regular urgency?



And anything else you could add would be nice.
Posted 9/13/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
You should check out the "Ostomies" section of Healingwell. Lots of helpful folks over there. Best of luck.
Posted 9/13/2009 8:21 PM (GMT 0)
Also here. It has a complete description of the surgery and other information.

http://jpouch.org/

Posted 9/13/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)

You can also visit www.j-pouch.org

Life with a jpouch is great!  No regrets.

Sue

Posted 9/14/2009 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
I've searched the Ostomies forum, and the J-Pouch website, but I still can't find the answers to my questions. Can anyone help?
Posted 9/14/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)
-What was the actual surgical experience like? (preparations, post-operation feelings...)

 

Prep for surgery is the same as for a colonoscopy

Post op there is pain but it diminishes daily

Post op you know immediately that UC is gone, best feeling I've ever had.

-What happens after you eat a meal? How soon do you have to go?

Most of the time you have to empty the pouch after eating, as quick as urinating.  This is caused by peristalisis.

-Is there regular urgency?

With a jpouch there is NO urgency.

Posted 9/14/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you! So is life similar to it was before active Ulcerative Colitis? And how soon is it reasonable to consider the surgery?
Posted 9/14/2009 3:45 AM (GMT 0)
"suebear"

Most of the time you have to empty the pouch after eating, as quick as urinating. This is caused by peristalisis.

-Is there regular urgency?

With a jpouch there is no urgency.



That is really interesting. So how do you know you need to empty the pouch? What happens when you are not in a "position" to empty the pouch?
Posted 9/14/2009 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
-What was the actual surgical experience like? (preparations, post-operation feelings...)

As Suebear said

-What happens after you eat a meal?

Much the same that happens for every other healthy person, very little.

- How soon do you have to go?

It depends what I have eaten, but 'have to go' does not quite describe it that well. Once I get the urge to go I can delay actually going for long periods and tend to go when it is convenient, i.e. I am in charge.

-Is there regular urgency?

None at all.

Peter
Posted 9/14/2009 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! So is life similar to it was before active Ulcerative Colitis? And how soon is it reasonable to consider the surgery?

Yes, life is similar to the days before active UC. I would say the best time to consider surgery is when you either have a low quality of life, are prednisone dependent, get a diganosis of dysplasia, or if all drugs have failed. It's better to have surgery when you are healthy but not necessarily in remission.

Sue
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