I think I am dealing with a first time case of pouchitis. I have called my surgeon and he doesn't want to prescribe any meds unless he sees me. I guess I can understand the reasoning.

My sypmtoms are increased frequency with very liquidy stools, spasms in rectum and pouch, lots of gurgling and gas, overnight leakage (never had before) and occasional spotty blood in stool. It started about a week ago while on vacation. I thought it was due to eating too much of the wrong thing and too late in the night. Since being home for 5 days now on a low residue, safe diet it has not gotten better.

I can wait the 2 weeks until my appointment by managing the symptoms with immodium and light diet. My question is, does this sound like pouchitis or am I wasting my time with an 1 1/2 hr commute to the surgeon's office an back?

It sounds to me like you are describing pouchitis. This is how my symptoms present typically. Especially the night time leaks out of nowhere.

The only other thing is if I eat a lot of stuff to thicken it up (rice, banana, etc) then I feel like I can't empty the pouch the whole way. Then it comes out when you don't want :/

All that being said, after my scope with my GI I got some antibiotics and felt better within a few days.

I'd say definitely NOT a waste of a drive.

Karbear, typically docs will want to see you with your first case of pouchitis or second if recurring to confirm pouchitis before putting you on meds (scope and biopsy will tell you for sure). Definitely sounds like pouchitis to me. You'll know right away within the first day or two on the antibiotics since they start working quickly.

Good luck and in the meantime, Imodium and Metamucil will help with the symptoms :-)

Thank you for your advice. I'm pretty sure it's pouchitis, now just to wait until the appointment.

I don't know about you, but I'm always so scared I'm making a big deal about nothing.

Let us know how you make out. You and I see the same dr. team so I would be courious to see how he treats this for you. Hope you are feeling better. It does sound like pouchitis from what I have read about it.

Marianne

I had my appointment today and pouchitis was confirmed with a scope. I am now on flagyl for 10 days. I'm hoping the treatment isn't worse than the symptoms. I've been on flagyl before for c-diff, but it's been awhile.

Thank you for your support and advice to keep the appointment. I certainly started feeling worse in the two weeks time waiting for the appointment and am grateful that I didn't cancel it and have to wait longer.

My hubby has not had his take down yet, but at times I think he is describing pouchitis. Can he have it? We are some what new to all of this. Is VSL effective in preventing pouchitis? He currently does not take any probiotics. He eats yogurt every day.

I highly recommend VSL for pouchitis but also as a maintenance medication- I was diagnosed with pouchitis and started taking VSL but continued to take it and feel great- It is expensive, but if you can manage on 2 pills a day then it should only cost $50 a month-I also try to eat yogurt every day and the Breakstone cottage cheese that has probiotics- My doctor suggested trying to go Gluten Free but I don't have the willpower for that yet-

I've been taking VSL since the first month after takedown. I use the packets and mix it in with the yogurt. I think this bout was caused by some steamed shrimp. My husband has IBS and was really bothered by them. The thinking is the water disturbed the bacteria in my gut and allowed the bad bacteria to flurish.

I've thought of the gluten free diet as well. I've reduced the gluten in my diet and have been feeling better. I just can't make that final jump to go totally gluten free.

Thanks I will order VSL. But please tell me this whole night mare gets better. It just seems one thing after another. I guess it could be worse. Today while changing the wafer and bag a large amount of milky, yellow drainage started draining around the stoma site. Probably another abscess. Great!!!

Has he been checked by the surgeon for pouchitis or given any antibiotics? The antibiotics are needed to get rid of the pouchitis, then the probiotics help keep it away.

Where in PA are you from? I live just outside of Philadelphia.

We live near the poconos. And just started antibiotics. I also ordered VSL. Hope all goes well.