Update

Just giving an update for the few that had been curious. My mucous layer has now fully recovered and is very smooth. No signs of fissures or hemmys. Bleeding is still there.

What my doc thinks it is, is if I go frequently or my stool is too thick, the staples where my jpouch is stapled to my rectum stretches some and tears skin which causes the bleeding. This can last for 2-4 years so as long as I'm not anemic my doc doesn't think it's much of an issue.

Lomotil and Immodium don't work that well for me so he gave me some cipro to cut in half and take for a few days if I know I have some event coming up where I'd like to go less. Cipro can reduce the # of times I go in a day down to about 3.

All given, I'm content where I am. I'm the heaviest I've ever been (167 lbs roughly at 5'11"), in good shape, BP at 123/78 and resting pulse at 60 so general vitals are alright.

Thanks for the update Bull. Is it just a little bit of blood on the TP, or is it more than that? I hope it continues to improve. I wonder why cipro helps if there's nothing going on? I have days where I go a lot, and other days where I don't go too often. I haven't really gotten to the bottom of it, but it's never urgent so I just go when I go. Have you ever asked about tincture of opium? I've been curious about that...

I use Cipro for pouchitis but if you’re not that severe then you’re playing Russian Roulette with c.diff.

I’ve taken tincture of opium before and it works but it is hard to get a script for and most pharmacies don’t carry it.

I’m not sure what state that you live in but maybe medical marijuana is an option for you.

KS, I wasn't planning on using cipro much. I'd take it for a few days when I have to be on campus for finals or this weekend when I go on a ski trip. It wouldn't be a regular thing.

As mentioned, all in all things aren't terrible. I have good and worse days. Yesterday for example without immodium, lomotil or anything else I had to go 4 times and once last night. I'll take that over my UC days.