Hi,
new here. had pouch created 10/1/07 and I started with 18 or so BM's a day. I have finally got it down to 8 to 10. past week I'm back to 15 to 18 all water, cramps, gas and extreme burning. could this be pouchitis? what are the symptoms? can anyone give information please.
thanks

Could be pouchitis or could just be a glitch that will work it way through in a few days. If things don't improve over the weekend, call your doc.

Meanwhile, limit your diet to soft, easily digested foods and see if that helps. Take Pepto Bismol and probiotics. That may be enough to turn things around.

Jan

What are the symptoms please?

Well, my symptoms were usually abdominal cramping, freguent bm's(more than usuall), some blood,sometimes I would have to strain to have a bm or to completely empty but then I would have the urge to go again and again. Some lower back aches, and at times painful gas. It sometimes felt like everything would hit me at the sametime.

I've never been told I have pouchitis but I've had one problematic symptom since my j-pouch placement 3 years ago....extreme bloating and gas. I can't seem to relate it to any foods I'm eating, and I eat a very healthy diet (organic when possible, whole grains, minimal processed foods, etc.). Some days I have no bloating/gas, and then the next I have so much that it leads to nausea due to the pressure. When I have the bloating/gas, I have diarrhea again, anal pain/swelling, and sometimes minimal bleeding. Does anyone know if this is ever related to pouchitis or something else? BTW, the only thing that seems to alleviate it is cipro, but the symptoms immediately return once the med is stopped. Any suggestions?

Your symptoms are similar to mine and I eat healthy too. When I stop the Cipro, the symptoms return.

Just this week I went out and purchased my first probiotic (Culturelle) and after two days the frequency and gas has decreased.

Will see how things go...

I tried culturelle and it didn't seem to improve things. I do take a fairly strong probiotic which seems to help a bit though (but I still have very difficult days even so). I've noticed a lot of people on this site talking about VSL so I think I'll try that one and see what happens. Let me know if anyone else has any suggestions. Thanks. Good luck with the culturelle. I hope it continues working for you.