It's just me....again.... Just would like to know how many of the coververters (J to K or BCIR) are happy they did so. Appreciate the comments everyone.

Well, as a former J poucher who went to a tradional ileo. then to my K pouch, I can tell if had my choice I would choose to have a normal colon again!! Of course, that is not a reality in my lifetime. I have had my Kock pouch for a year, three months and almost three weeks and I LOVE IT!! It is so natural to me now, that I feel like I have had it all of my life. Don't get me wrong, when my J pouch was working correctly, I loved it too. You have to remember that each experience is as varied as the person having it. My best advise; if you are having second thoughts or have nagging concerns, then maybe you should look at ways to improve the j pouch or possibly look at a temporary diverting ileo. before you go for a Kock pouch. It can be very overwhelming in the early stages and I think it really helps to be in the right state of mind when going through it.

Regards,

Les

Thank you for the insight Les. I am hoping to hear from more folks, but unsure if this forum has a lot of converters. I hope so. Thanks again.

I'm a happy converter. I had a j-pouch for 8 years but chronic pouchitis made my life increasingly restricted. Next month my k-pouch will be 4 years old.

To lead a more normal life, I had to get rid of my j-pouch and I'm glad I made the choice I did. Even if I became sick again and had to convert to a standard external system, I would be grateful for the good years I've enjoyed.
I'm also one of apparently many who was diagnosed with UC (many years ago) but who has now been told I have Crohn's. To me the difference in disease names isn't important. Sick is sick no matter what you call it.

I think one must be motivated to thrive with a k-pouch (to follow the chew, chew, chew rules, to accept some diet limitations and to follow the instructions during the post-op period).
Whatever decision you make, it will be the right one for you because only you know your priorities.

Carol

Thanks Lynnesa.... I am so confused now, but I am sure that my decision will just suddenly be clear at the right time. Meanwhile, it means a lot to hear from others, both good and bad, to learn about the procedure. I realize we are all individual as are the results, but folks like me would sure be lost without folks like you. Thank you very much!

This is a great post - I am bumping with the hope of getting more responses!! My husband has chronic pouchitis (ever since his takedown one year ago) despite almost all standard pouchitis treatments. He has been tested for Crohn's and that has been ruled out (whew!) I just discovered that this other pouch might be an option for him rather than going back to a bag, so it would be great to hear from more converters.

Also, I did see some notes throughout the board regarding people with k-pouches having pouchitis-type symptoms. Does anyone know much about that and what the likelihood is if Crohn's has been ruled out (I know a lot of people confuse these prior to their diagnosis).

Thanks all for the great info support!

Well I'm a brand new converter, got my k-pouch back in May. I'm 28, and I had a j-pouch since I was 13 for the last year and half I also had a temp loop ileo. Nasty pouch-vaginal fistula that could not be fixed left me with only two REAL options, perm ileo or Kock pouch.

I will say that the beginning here has been a definite struggle. Having the constant drain in for the first few weeks then being on a schedual of intubating (even getting up in the middle of the night to do it) its been rough. HOWEVER I really really did my homework before I made this decision and I did know how hard it was going to be in the beginning. I'm keeping my eye on the prize. NO appliance and bathroom only 4-5 times a day and not at night. I haven't lived like that since I was a child. And to think that could be possible for me.....

I spent hours going through the archives of this forum and researching online and PMing with other K-pouchers before I made my final decision. Its certainly harder than an ileo, but for me, well, lets just say I'm so so happy I made this decision!

Good luck to you

--
katie

Muggette - I think that pouchitis can be a problem with the k-pouch as well. I recall that there was a discussion about this but can't remember much about the post.

kathy

I am one of the happy converters to a KPouch. Would be happy to answer any questions for you.

Kathy, I do remember some talk about pouchitus with the KPouch, but the only thing I would think it would do would possibly thin out the mix or possibly give you more cramping. I had continual pouchitus or cuffitus with the several years of the JPouch. If I have had pouchitus with the KPouch than its news to me. The pouch itself has worked perfectly for me. Only setback is the anal closure which wont close. Otherwise, life is good. Running my second 5k tomorrow night and hope to be trained to run a marathon again by Dec (St. Judes Hospital for children with cancer fundraiser).

Mike S

Mike, just wanted to say how happy I am that you are doing so well. You deserve it!!!!

janna

Thank you everyone for your responses! I am so happy to hear that there is another option if we can't get this pouchitis under control (aside from the bag). I am also so glad to hear how well so many of you are doing!! I am sure it was a tough decision but looks like your lives are all much better now.

Muggette
You have a wonderful surgeon in your area, Dr. Dana Launer, who does Kocks. You may already know this.

I had my first Kock for 24 years and had pouchitis once.