I wanted to post an update for anyone who stumbles upon this post and to thank Keith for the advice. I ended up getting an MRI, X-ray follow thru, endoscopy, and pouchoscopy. They found that my...
Thanks for all the advice Keith. I'm with Yale-New Haven, which has some excellent physicians so I believe I'm getting good care, but my gastroenterologist is not very responsive because she only...
Thanks. Both great ideas. I started a two week course of Flagyl in addition to the Cipro and it helped almost immediately with some of my lower abdominal discomfort. So at least I know how to get the...
I have a pain that has stumped my colorectal surgeon and my gastroenterologist. I'm 6 months post laparoscopic colectomy and 4 most post takedown, so I have a Jpouch. I have chronic pouchitis and I'm...
I'm 6 weeks out from the same surgery and having a lot of gas too. My doctor suggested gasX or Beano, but said they don't work for most people, which is my experience. Another idea is to avoid gas...
Thanks Keith. I had a fever of 101-104F and then followed by elevated very white blood counts. Seemed like an infection so I got on antibiotics, but it turned out to be an inflammed peritoneum....
I had my takedown 3 weeks ago. For the first week especially, and even now, I get swelling at random places in my belly, mostly above the stoma. I have an open stoma that I pack daily. Right from the...
I'm only one week take down (6 days in the hospital, 2nd day home), but this is just so much worse than I expected. The surgery was an uncomplicated 2 hours, the wound looks good, and the pain in...
I'm not sure how old you are, but do you plan on having children? 50% of people have fertility issues from the surgery. It causes damage to your delicate Fallopian tubes. You may want to consider...
I had that from about 2-7 weeks post surgery. Mine was light yellow and didn't smell too bad, but it was constant. I wore Depends at all times. It was so bad at night that I would have leaks and...
Normally they will do a total colectomy, your entire colon and all of your rectum except for 1/2 inch. They leave a rim of tissue so that the nerve endings can help you with continence, knowing the...
I had the same thing happen. I'd cut your hair shorter, not necessarily a bob (unless you want to), but shoulder length. The weight of the hair and putting it in a ponytail can make the hair loss...
I'm 9 weeks post surgery. It was a lot harder recovery than I expected, but everyone is different. I had very bad anal leakage from weeks 3-8. I would soak my Depends and even have to change them in...
I'd get an adrenal gland test. I'm not a doctor so I'm paraphrasing what I remember, but your adrenals produce the equivalent of 5mg of prednisone per day. So it's not suprising that you're stuck st...
I think the doctor is right to try topical first, but most of us UCers take oral mesalamine. It has a low risk of side effects. I took it for over 20 years. I bought a crib mattress protector at IKEA...
Is it always or sometimes worse? I know some things (beans, onions, garlic, etc) can make it worse. I use Safe N Simple pouch deodorant and it works pretty well. I use a two piece hollister and it...
I feel your pain--I'm so sick of drinking that stuff too. Drip drop berry flavor is the only hydration packet that I can tolerate. I saw a dietitian after my surgery. These are some of the ideas that...