UC

Hi my name is Lisa and I am 61 years old. I have suffered with uc for about 8 years when I was finally told by my gastronogist its time I see a specalist. I was going to the bathroom anywhere between 10-13 times a day and bleeding as well. I have surgery this past december and have been wearing a bag for 5 months. My problems that I have since surgery is that I am going rectally in the bathroom and I see blood and mucus coming out and the worst of it all is when I have to sneeze or cough I have to bend forward because if I don't the pain I get in my stomach causes me to feel like I want to throw up and I have to lay down until the pain goes away. I seen the surgeon one time since having the surgery and she said its ok to still go to the bathroom and its from the surgery. As far as the pains I get when I sneeze and cough I feel the stoma kind of pop but it hasn't gotten bigger. My regular doctor seems to thing that there probably is scar tissue and that something is definately going on. Also I have been thinking about the j pouch but afraid I might make the wrong decision on that cause I don't to go back to having to go when I'm out. Sorry about this long story, but yes it is a story and I need help.

I have a jpouch, and the one thing I was told when seeking a surgeon, is to seek someone who specializes in this procedure. Many surgeons do it, some aren't colorectal surgeons, but having done the procedure here and there and doing it frequently are very different situations, and can produce different outcomes. Of course, you can go to the best surgeon and still have a less than ideal result - unfortunately there really aren't any guarantees, but it's best to give yourself the best possible shot. I think I would search for most reputable surgeon in your area, or even travel, and get an opinion before doing anything. Cleveland Clinic is probably the #1 place for this procedure if you're anywhere near there - but there are surgeons all over the country who have done 100s or 1000s of jpouches. Ask how many they have done.

You really shouldn't have pain at 5 months, nor should you have to bend when you sneeze. The proctits you're dealing with is normal at this point. If you have a rectum, even if it's detached from the rest, it can remain inflamed. Mine didn't, but the more I see people talk about it, the more I am starting to notice that it's probably more likely it will be inflamed than it won't.