did anyone else have tough periods after getting their new j-pouch? my cramps have been even worse than usual and i'm wondering why this might be. any insight? thanks!

I don't know headphones. However I DO know that calcium has helped me enormously with cramping and PMS prior to surgery. Perhaps it could do the same for you now?

I haven't yet got my period post surgery. YIKES come to think of it. Its been since January already...hmmm. Anyway....

Yes, yes and yes. I'm going to ask by GYN if I can get on one of the birth controls that only gives you a period every so often because of it.

Haven't had my period since surgery, but I take a pill that lets you delay your period and I love it. I have been taking it for 2yrs now because I get migraines when I get my period. This has significantly helped. Note: you do get more break through bleeding, but it doesn't have the period symptoms with it.

I started having bad periods when getting UC and continued with the J-pouch. I tried taking the pill to skip having period every month but even though I didn't bleed I still had other symptoms so I quit taking them. I am glad the pill helped the other person and hope it will help you.

thanks girls, i can't do the pill unfortunately. all kinds of bad side effects for me. i had my tubes tied along with my 2nd surgery so maybe that's adding to the uncomfort? i will try adding calcium to my regimen, goodness knows i can use it with all the prednisone has done to my brittle bones. glad the pill is working for many of you and thanks so much for the replys!

I hate getting my period now that I have got my j-pouch. It gets really loud, and I don't seem to go as often. The cramps are quite painful. Its like this for about 4 days leading up to my period and about 5 days after my cycle has finished. There are some days during this that my pouch doesn't empty at all. Its really frustrating.

You know I just thought of something. Dehydration can cause more severe cramping and they say that getting plenty of fluids reduces bloating and fluit retention common with 'that time of the month' Could the worse cramps have to do with increased fluid flush due to lack of colon reabsorption. Perhaps drink more in prep??

Anyway...who said painful cramps? Wait everyone who replied. Yeppers. Day 2: Oiewweee! And more pouch spasms too....Bad body! Bad bad bad! Stop hurting me!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: magic30,

Scar tissue/adhesions can make cramps feel worse. Also, sometimes a loop of bowel gets into a tight spot in the pelvis due to the heavier period uterus and when bowels move near the uterus, it will make you cramp like crazy.

My periods are heavy as well. Are you any of you having iron deficiency problems as a result? I need an iron infusion every month.

magic- going to give extra fluids a try, it would be great it that helped...
lizziesmom, that makes sense. interesting.
gina- i am anemic and am on iron pills. i think they help a little, i'm sure an infusion would work better but i don't think my doc thinks i'm anemic enough to justify. i do feel better when i'm taking my iron though.

oh and i've only had one period since january, but i still get cramps (maybe when i'm supposed to be ovulating/getting my period)? who knows, but it kills.

I have had my jpouch for almost 5 years & can say periods are definitely more painful since. I would imagine there is some scar tissue in the area & when the uterus swells it pulls. I have been told my uterus is tilted (which I never knew before surgery so I wonder if the scar tissue is pulling it back). I also seemed to bleed more & have clots.

Ughhhh. YES! My Jpouch literally throbbs in pain. I have efferent limb syndrome and probs emptying which can cause pain and spasm, but things seem to exacerbate on my period. My whole pelvic area hurts, especially around my left side tailbone. I def. use the restroom more, and feel crappy overall (headache, general period crap). I know healthy, coloned ppl have GI issues around their period, so I am not surprised it makes our stuff worse. Still sucks though!

I assume you are current with your GYN examinations. I ultimately found out about my UC after I had a hysterectomy, uterus only. I went back to the GYN surgeon at six weeks I told him I was still having cramps and why since my uterus was gone.

IT was the GYN surgeon that sent me to the GI. It took a symoidoscopy, with no findings, followed by 8 months a lot of pain with massive doses of ibruprofen to get the UC diagnosis with a colonoscopy. The GI apologized for missing it 8 months before as it was so bad he did not know how he missed it.

Long story to say I needed the hysterectomy and had UC all at the same time. The pain all felt the same to me.