Yay, I can finally keep a tampon in for more than two min without pain (for the first time since colectomy/pouch creation last june). I used them for 6 hrs on two days. I wonder why it stopped being so painful. Maybe the adhesions broke? if that was the original problem. I don't know. And I will probably have to work up to full-time tampon use, but at least now on the heavy part... I really hate pads!
I know this is random message, but I'm elated and needed to share.

I hate to open a can of worms with this topic. When I started to cycle again every month after all my surgeries dealing with the j-pouch and the tampons was more trouble then it was worth. I had already been on BC pills for a few years due to heavy periods. I went to see the gyn and said "enough". There are several products out on the market so you do not have to have a period every month. These products are supposed to be safe for long term use and not affect fertility. (I was in my mid to late 30's at the time and was done having children).

So no more period for me. I just take low dose BC pills every day. I realize there are lots of different factors that must be figured in like family history, over all health, trying to have children, personal/religious.
It solved an unpleasant and uncomfortable situation for me so I am just putting it out there.

You know, thinking back, it took me a few years to be able to comfortably wear a tampon. Of course I have an added problem of having a slightly crooked entry due to my recto/vaginal fistula repair surgery That made using tampons even more problematic.
Congrats to you; it really is the little things that make us happy and comfortable