It's been one year since my takedown surgery. I thought for sure I would end up with a poorly functioning pouch due to all of the issues I had with the pouch healing, but that is not the case. I...
I live in the Detroit area. I chose to go to Cleveland, but I know that the University Of Michigan, Beaumont, and Spectrum health in Grand Rapids does j-pouches. I went to school in Big Rapids for...
I know everyone's pouch acts differently, but in my situation I am able to go out on the boat without a problem. I might have to go once and in the summer time my pouch was less than 6 months old....
I got retested through my primary care doctor since Cleveland is three hours away and she told me the same thing, that the test can remain positive for months after treatment. Dr. Shen told me to...
I went to see Dr. Shen last month thinking I had pouchitis, but it turned out to be c-diff. I took vanco for 2 weeks. I got retested about 3 weeks after finishing the vanco and it came back positive....
I wore a bikini when I had my ostomy. I did not do it to spread awareness. I did it because I didn't want to have to change my style because of the bag. I wanted to live my life the same as I did...
Recovery is an individual thing. Some people have a j-pouch adjustment period and some don't. I didn't use my "muscles back there" for over two years and I never had leakage problems except when I...
Are you drinking just water or a beverage that contains electrolytes?...
I can fart while laying on my right side or stomach without leaking. I have to take the time to do this because if I don't, the gas builds up and becomes uncomfortable. My pouch is still new, so...
I developed a blockage immediately after my reversal surgery that required another surgery to clear. After that second surgery, I had an ilius for 2.5 weeks because my bowels were so swollen from the...
I thought the pouchitis was gone. I've been off antibiotics for almost a month. Everything is so new I really can't pin point what my problem is. It has been one extreme to another. Either i have...
My most recent surgery was April 3rd for the blockage. It must be bad luck to post that I am doing well because last night the cramping and urgency came back. I started antibiotics again. I wonder if...
I have been home on tpn almost a month now. I am eating much better so I will be discontinuing the tpn when I go see my doctor the first week of June. As far as my j pouch function goes, I have the...
I have been wanting to update but haven't been doing well. I was home for a day after my reversal and ended up back at Cleveland clinic for over a month. I had another surgery for a blockage. My...
Been in hospital for a month now. Had another surgery on Thursday. Feeling poorly. Living off tpn. Will post again whenever I get better....
Back in hospital. My bowels literally stopped once I got home. NG tube back in....
I am home now. I am still not experiencing what a new j-poucher goes through. I didn't have to stop once during the three hour ride home. I slept a solid ten hours and did not have to get up once. I...
So far the only time I empty the pouch is when I pee. I never feel like I just have to have a BM. I haven't had leakage. I started eating a GI soft diet yesterday at lunch but stool is still watery....
Sat down to pee and a liter of liquid stool came out. No gas though. Is that weird?...
I am starting TPN tonight. Still bloated and in a lot of pain....
I have an ileus. NG tube and PICC getting put in today....
I think I've walked literally miles in the past four days. If nothing happens by tomorrow I will get an x ray but my labs and everything look good....
3 days post op...no gas or BM yet. Just a lot of gas pain in my abdomen....
I knew I had a leak because I developed an abscess and became very sick. This is not always the case. Sometimes you don't know....
The pouch looks good. It does have a slightly different shape because I had a sinus tract and my surgeon made the cavity a part of the pouch. I have received nothing but exceptional care at CC. The...
Surgery is the 7th. I am leaving tomorrow since my barium enema test is at 9AM on the 6th. My scope looked good in January, so I am confident the barium enema will look good also. I ordered my bidet...
The end ileostomy that is....
I am not sure how people wear those tiny Hollister bags. I tried them and it was a nightmare emptying it constantly. I fold the 12 inch up a few inches like Pluot....
After my stoma revision in June, my surgeon turned my loop into a "loop-end." It looks like an end, but it located where a loop would be. I did not have issues with my end ileo, so it possible the...
I suffered from two small bowel obstructions this month. One at the beginning of February and I just got discharged yesterday from the second. I didn't think the second one was going to clear and was...
Most of the reviews are good on the Amazon. A squeezy bottle would work for travel or I'll probably carry wipes in my purse. I still have to get a barium enema test done the day before surgery even...
Thanks. I will look on Amazon. I will see how the cold water feels and go from there. My fiance said installing an outlet would be easy if he had to do it. The thought of pooping after over two years...
My takedown is March 7th. I am looking at purchasing a bidet. I was looking at the simple ones that just attach to the toilet. No fancy dryer or anything. I noticed those ones require you to have an...
I have not actually tried to eat popcorn. I've experienced blockage pain (not from food) and I am too scared to experience that again. Maybe I can try a couple pieces and see what happens. It is also...
Popcorn :(...
I've experienced severe cramping and excessive mucous on two occasions with my ileo. Once was due to a rectal abscess and the second time was due to inflammation. I would recommend a CT scan. My...
We are the same age and I also had major problems with healing. I link mine to all the immuno suppressive drugs I took for my disease. I go to the Cleveland Clinic. I guarantee they will be able to...
My J-pouch was created one year ago to this very day. Since then, I have suffered from 2 rectal abscesses, holes in my pouch, and I had a sinus tract. I was told in the summer that my chances were...
I did not have a positive experience with brava strips. I tried them for a month and every time I would take a shower the strip would peel off and take the wafer with it. I now stick to sure seals....
You will love Devrom. You can take up to 8 tablets a day, but I only need 2 tablets (1 in morning and 1 at night) and the odor is completely neutralized. It is much more convenient than pouring stuff...
In my experience, nothing that I put in the bag worked. I tried gel, mouth wash, and tic tacs. I recently discovered Devrom, which is a chewable internal deodorant. The stuff is a miracle. If you...
I'm not sure if this is a similar situation or not, but after each of my hospitalizations where I could not eat for days/weeks at a time I struggled with the "full" feeling once I was able to eat...
Like you, I was suppose to get another barium done 6 weeks after my first one. During that waiting period I ended up developing strictures by my stoma, so everything was blocked. Nothing could move...
I am going through the same thing except my case is a bit worse. I had my barium done in April, which revealed a couple leaks. Five months later and I'm still not ready for reversal. It is...
I've always used the 2 piece. I thought about trying the 1 piece, but I like being able to "burp" the bag without having to empty. I also use to like switching out the bag every other day, but then...
I've been feeling like my normal self again. I have my appetite back and I starting running a little. My exam under anesthesia is Friday. I've never been so nervous for a procedure before. This is my...
Since your stoma is so new, it is expected to have a lot of gas. I found that over time things calm down. I got a "new" stoma a couple months ago. I've just recently started to sleep through the...
I am so sorry you had to go through that. This surgical journey can be such a roller coaster ride. You are in the best place. Try and keep positive. This too, shall pass....
Just an update: On June 11th I went to CC to have my rectal drain removed. My surgeon went to remove the drain, but he could not find it. I ended up having to stay the night to have it removed under...
Pictures to come after my weekend of boating. I think it's a great idea to sell them. Bag covers make the bag seem more like a fashion accessory than a bag of poop :)...