I've had my j-pouch in operation for two years now, and have had a fistula with a seton for a month. My butt has been sore a lot since takedown. It aches almost constantly with the fistula and seton.

If I go to a temporary ileostomy and have an inactive j-pouch, will that help the fistula heal? If I have the j-pouch removed, a Ken butt, and a permanent ileo, will that help? Also, what is the best solution to deal with the other residual aching - temporary or permanent?

Thanks. I am just beginning to consider this. I also am unhappy with the way my pouch feels when I have to go to the bathroom - urgency, and making me feel anxious half the time.

Hey Kevin, I just had surgery a week ago today to go back to the perm ileo b/c of fistulas. I had my J-pouch in 2002, pretty much always had trouble w/it. Fistula first developed in winter of '09. Hoping to save the pouch we went to a temp ostomy and did the seton and Remicaide for about 1 1/2 years. Had surgery in october to reverse ostomy but lo and behold the fistulas came back before Christmas and all that weight I put on came off very fast-25lbs. I never felt better that I did with the ostomy, I did not have the pouch removed at this time due to the infection and I may not need to. But the best thing, I take no meds-I'm not doing Remicaide anymore and I can eat w/out feeling like a total bag of "ass"--ha ha. My husband only wanted me better again, and so did I so this was a no brainer for me. The only difference this time is the dr. did an end ileo rather than a loop and I've noticed it doesn't put out near as much all the time. Hope this helps. Good luck

The information you received very well might be correct but I would get a second opinion before going back to the perm. illeo. I don't have a fistula but an ulcer at the opening. My diagnosis was referred to as solitary syndrome. Your problem could be totally different but I would want a second opinion before making such a major decision.