I had that with my leg ... same reason given by doctor (position of my leg during surgery, nerve issue). Took a couple months for the numbness to go away, but it did....
It's totally normal to feel depressed ... my GI put me on anti-depressents before I even had the surgery because chronic illness definitely can leave you feeling low. Talk to your doctor, for sure. I...
Absolutely no regrets ... I am 18 months out from takedown. Had one minor case of pouchitis - it sucked for a couple of days, but was quickly put to rest by antibiotics. I don't even have to think...
Surgery is NOT giving up! When your quality of life is zero, it is getting your life back. Like others, I just wish I had done it sooner - I suffered for more than a decade without even realizing...
It took a while. Probably about 5 months or so til I was sleeping through most nights and feeling pretty energetic. I think it gets better as each week passes ... still notice improvements after a...
Friday is my one year takedown-iversary! Pluot, I know you were this week last year too --- yay! We've made it! /community/emoticons/turn.gif /community/emoticons/yeah.gif For those of you getting...
Liz, the Metamucil makes a huge difference. I hated the nasty gritty stuff and skipped it a lot, and could not eat veggies. I tried the capsules. Take 3 every morning. And I eat whatever I want. Do...
Oh - the first week really sucks! But it does get better. I think I was constantly in the bathroom and in a lot of pain at first. But just 4 weeks out, I went back to work. I had to drive an hour...
YEs, you need to eat! Chew everything really well, avoid nuts, grains, seeds - they can cause a blockage. Soda is fine, but it can cause gas, so just watch your bag! You may find it swollen up like a...
It was one year ago today that I had my total colectemy. It's been quite a journey, but I know without a doubt that it was the best thing for me. I am so grateful to all of those who supported me,...
If it's getting worse, and you're missing so much work, have you considered surgery? I missed 25% of a year of work because of UC, and spent 10% of that same year hospitalized with flares. That was...
K, I did have a horrible time with dehyrdration, as Liz mentioned. I was readmited twice, and was getting about 1.5-2L of output even with max doses of Lomotil and on IV pain meds. It was awful. And...
I take the Metro into DC daily, about 45 minutes each way. When I had bad flares, I knew every bathroom and every station manager along the way (you have to ask to use the bathroom and have them...
It's not uncommon to be diagnosed with UC after pregnancy ... my initial diagnosis was at 31, abuot 10 months after the birth of my first child. Definitely follow up with your doctor. This is a...
I haven't been checking in as much lately, but I saw this and had to respond ... NCOT, just know that so many people here do care about you and about how you're feeling. Being sick sucks, there's...
I had a lot of hydration and leakage issues with the loop - it was just a tempermental little bugger. But it's short lived, so you will get through it. And it was still a cakewalk compared to UC!...
My thigh and parts of my abdomen were numb for months, but all of the feeling eventually came back. The doctor said it had something to do with temporary nerve issues caused by lengthy surgery in...
I know you really want a 1 step, and I understand, especially as a mother. But if you're on prednisone, you will not be a candidate for it - in fact, you likely will have to have 3 steps in order to...
Sorry to hear this. I was diagnosed with it this year, in the midst of my colectemy and j pouch construction. Because I don't have a "proper" digestive system anymore, I can't take any of the pills....
I know you want to see him well quickly, but sadly, UC is a chronic illness, and achieving remission, if it is possible for him, will take time. There are many, many options out there. I highly...
Thoreau, yes, I have no urgency, no accidents, and can eat anything I want. I did have a minor blockage a few nights ago after eating a lot of raw baby carrots - you have to remember that there is a...
I eat anything I want. It's been a process though ... at first, lettuce landed me in the bathroom every time. Now, I can enjoy a big salad with no issues (6+ months out). The other day, I ate a large...
I will echo everyone's thoughts - this is a VERY personal decision. Only you know if you're ready for it. But being on prednisone definitely will temper your feelings - even if it provides you...
I had a bad cold, but no cough, when I had my 2nd step surgery. No issues, they just really harped on me about breathing exercises :)...
I was on Imuran for about 6 years, never really got into full remission, but it did help. And it looked like it would be a drug I could stay on to keep things relatively controlled. But ... after...
I was able to do all 3 steps with 8 weeks in between each one .... pretty quick really. It depends on how sick you are, how well your body heals, and your doctor (some won't do the surgeries that...
Between Graves and prednisone, you're fighting a losing battle ... chronic pred use makes it impossible to lose weight. Was on it for years, gained a ton. And every time I tapered off, I got sick...
Yay! Great news! Hope things get easier for you now ... you've had quite the journey....
I'm sorry to hear you're dealing with that .... I was lucky that my entire family was supportive. I was also diagnosed in 2002, so I know how much you've suffered for so long .... I had my surgery...
I am 6 months in ... like Liz, step 2 was hard for me. But takedown was a piece of cake. The worst part was the butt burn in the early days, and that it was more difficult to eat certain things, like...
Good luck! Hope you'll be up and running and feeling better soon!...
I had a lot of issues .... about 40 oz. a day after the second surgery. It was so bad, even with Lomotil, that I had to have a PIC put in so I could do daily IVs at home. Don't hesitate to call for...
I had a 3 step procedure, but I had my surgeries each 8 weeks apart (that is the absolute minimum most surgeons will do, but I pushed for it because I was trying to do all 3 steps within my...
Yes, the sensation is really just a "oh I need to go." But it's not urgent. I liken it to being on a highway when you have to pee and seeing a sign that says the next rest stop is in 42 miles ... you...
I just got one of the inexpensive ones on Amazon (in fact, I got two of them) and they work perfect. I can't imagine having gotten through the first few months without them. No electricity needed,...
Well, it's now about 6 months out from my takedown .... and life is definitely getting back to normal. For the past week, I have finally been sleeping through the entire night without getting up to...
I am only 6 months out from my takedown (when my j pouch began functioning) and I have anywhere from 4-10 BMs a day, depending on what I've eaten. But it's not at all like when I went with UC....
My UC was never more than 36 cm, but for a dozen years I was miserable with it. Had surgery this year and I love my j pouch. Yes, I still go more often than "normal" people (although less every day,...
Surgery is not easy. It is multiple operations, dealing with the ostomy, then adjusting to the pouch. For me, the decision was easy. I was in and out of the hospital and was tired of crapping my...
Bidet for sure. Balneol - best stuff for itching. And soft TP. I was only in for 4 days. Back to work in 5 weeks (could have gone back a week sooner, but logistics just worked out that way)....
Balneol ... Great for itching....
I didn't have an outlet for an electric one, so I got an inexpensive non-electric one on Amazon for under $50. It's awesome!...
I had numbness in my thigh after one if my surgeries. My doc said it's normal for there to be some nerves that get messed up, even away from the incision ... and especially during a long surgery. She...
She did an amazing job! I was so happy to see that, while doing his usual thing, he actually did ask some good questions. And he likely raised awareness among a segment that might normally not be as...
So sorry that happened to you - but it happens to everyone. I had my worst leak while at a rental house at the beach over the summer. Thankfully I had towels under me and a very helpful hubby! And...
When I has my stoma, I used the swabs from Amazon. They were in a whit box w purple writing, about $16 for 50 swabs. I used Dan's check: does it come off w water, or do you need alcohol? Had to use...
I wanted to get it done while out on my 6 months short term disability leave. And my surgeon said as long as I healed well, the minimum time between surgeries for a 3 step procedure is 8 weeks....
Get a bidet, Metamucil, diaper rash cream. I also really liked Balneol (from Amazon) for itching. Good luck!...
Have your doctor do an exam ... mine checked my sphincter muscles in particular to ensure I could have full continence with a j pouch. There is no real test that I know of that can tell you...
I second the bidet suggestion. Also get some diaper rash cream. Some people like Calmoseptine - kind of like Bengay for your butt. I really like Balneol for itching and soreness. And if you find...