Hi, I have been living with the j-pouch for about 7 years now. I have been a student at a commuity college for about two years now. I also have been dealing with pouchitis ever since I have been going to college. It has been really hard trying to go to school and being sick at the same time. I have just started back to school for the first semester. I did get a little break for the christmas so I thought I would be good to go. Since I started back I have been feeling like I need to take a semester off to take more care of myself. I just have been getting really weak all the time from the bm that cause me to loose fluids. I have been going to the doctor about once a month to get fluids just to keep me going. I just feel like my body can not take another semester of stress and that I need a break. I'm just scared to take one because I dont want college to take longer for me to get out then it already has. I just need some advise on what someone else would do in this situation. Could anyone give me any please?

You're probably pretty sure what most of us will say. Take a semester off. You should come first. Look at the big (school) picture - is an extra half year really going to make that much difference in your life? Besides, you could technically be out of school a half year earlier than a graduating class and have the job-hunting advantage.

But you should also try to get the pouchitis under control. Are you taking antibiotics? Are you taking probiotics? VSL#3 has been clinically proven to help keep pouchitis at bay. You can get a prescription for it to help offset the cost.

The very best hydration product that I've found is Vitalyte. Try it - it may help with the fluid loss.

kathy

Im Taking Cipro 3 time a day, but it seems to make me feel more tired. What is the VSL #3? I have to be careful with some medicines because I did have melenoma stage 3 when I was 16 and some medicines I can't take because of that. Is Vitalyte something I can get in Drug stores or do I need to get it from my doctor? Thanks so much for the help. Have you been able to work with all the BM's?

Click on the VSL#3 link at the top of this page.

The Vitalyte can be purchased at R.E.I. if you have one near you. Otherwise, it's just as easy to order it from their site.

I don't have problems working with all the BM's.... the butt burn is another story. I've had a j-pouch for almost 21 years so I'd have to say that I've been able to work. And travel. And have fun.

kathy

Agreed that schooling can wait. Your health is priority. You won't be able to attend school if your health is poor.

Have you considered distance learning courses or online courses? This would fulfill credits and keep you from not forfeiting an entire semester of courses. Additionally, you can pace yourself according to how you feel. Just make sure the credits count toward your course of study and any institutions to which you may decide to transfer. I took a distance learning course (internet for the greater public was in its infancy and I actually had to rely on...snail mail[!] to submit my assignments) the summer after my takedown so that I could take a full course load in the fall since I had to forfeit the spring semester for health reasons. Still made it in eight semesters although not consecutive.

Kathy is right. Get yourself better. I've never had the Vitalyte. If you can't find it, you can go just about anywhere and find Pedialyte. It's a rehydration drink made for children. I used to drink it when I had illeostomy problems.

I've raved in other posts about this, but the probiotic Align has helped me. I had pouchitis for 2 years and was dependent on cipro. I started Align and have been pouchitis free ever since. It's not the same as the other probiotics. It has a strain called Bifantis. This isn't found in other probiotics.

Take a break and get yourself right. Also look at your diet and make adjustments if needed. Two good foods for excessive watery bm's is white rice and toast.

Just one comment/clarification, for the sake of accuracy, to Justin's reply that Bifantis isn't contained in other probiotics.

VSL#3 is a probiotic that does contain Bifantis. The long name for Bifantis is Bifidobacterium Infantis, which is one of the eight strains in VSL#3.
Rose

Good luck with your decision about college.

I drink an electrolyte every day along with LOTS of fluids otherwise I can barely function. There are many electrolyte drinks you can get - I also like Pedialyte. Make sure you have enough protein in your diet!

I have been on Cipro since June. Trying very hard to get off it. I will be looking into Align!

Good luck to you!