Hi Everyone... I will try to make this as short and sweet as possible! I've been a member for years but had not been here in quite some time, but now I'm back.

I had emergency surgery, total colectomy in April 2004, toxic mega colon, non-responsive to drugs. Only had 2 flares prior to diagnosis, not knowing what it was at the time. They diagnosed me as having Indeterminate Crohn's\Colitis, favoring the Colitis but not making a definitave diagnosis. I had the ileo (hated it) and in September 2004, I had the creation/connection of j-pouch.

About 6 months in, I got my first bout of pouchitis and it's just continued... I have chronic pouchitis... I've tried a lot of different things but nothing seems to keep it away... I can live with it for the most part but it really "flares" every 3-6 months where it takes over my life.

And now, it appears that I have a recto-vaginal fistula (yuck) which is leading my GI to the diagnosis of Crohn's, not Colitis... My main goal in life right now is to keep my pouch and my dr is aware that it will be pretty much life or death before I go back to the ileo... I'm 33 right now and am hoping to keep it for many years to come... and regardless of my issues, I do not have one second of regret getting my j-pouch!

So in a nutshell, that is me... I'm back to do some reading of posts and chime in where ever I feel I can add some support, or share experiences etc.... Thanks for taking the time to read!

Thanks for sharing. Any updates on your status? Hope you're well.