Just had to share. Part of me finds this exasperating, and part of me finds it amusing. I've been going to my current GP for 18 years. I had my colon removed in 2005. Had an ileostomy for almost 3 years, then finally had my takedown in early 2008. In that time, she still really hasn't made much of an effort to learn much about the j-pouch in general. It's clear she expects me to be crippled. *LOL*

Anyway, I went for my annual physical the other day. Here's basically how it went down:

(GP) "So how often do you go to the washroom?"

(Me) "4-8 times a day, depending what I eat."

(GP) "Oh. That's not good at all. Have you talked to the GI about that?

(Me). "Um... no." (Duh! Hello. I think 4-8 times is pretty gosh darn good).

(GP). "Are your stools formed?"

(Me). (Um, hi, I have a j-pouch). "My stools will never be what a 'normal' person's stools are. They are no liquid, but not solid."

(GP). "Hmmm... well you shouldn't be having diarrhea that often. You should really talk to the GI about this."

(Me) (Thinking -- um hi it's not diarrhea.)

Later...

(GP) "So, do you exercise?"

(Me) "Yes. I go to the gym, horseback ride, jog and do yoga."

(GP) "Really? You can do all that?"

Later...

(GP) "So, can you eat normal food?"

Later still, while she is palpating my belly...

(GP) "Are you sure there is no tenderness when I press on you? I'm just so surprised you don't have any pain."

UGGGGGGGH. *LOL*

I am her only patient with a j-pouch. Can you tell? *LOL*

Be grateful that she didn't give you a script for supositories or scheduel a colonoscopy for you (mine did and I told him that if he could find my colon then I would give him $100.00!)
Sharon

LOL!!

At both posts

I still like my GP. She's otherwise great. I just find it funny that I constantly have to educate her about the pouch.

LOL Sharon! I once fooled an ultrasound technician into looking for my colon. That was quite amusing.

This is so funny. My female gyno is afraid to go near me since I had the jpouch done. At least I can now tell her she need not do the anal exam on me as I already have someone very qualified to do that once a year for me.

thanks for the smile. Needed it!

That is really funny! It always amazes me that so many doctors do not understand the procedure. My OBGYN is totally facinated by the whole thing and always asks me a ton of questions about it! My family doctor is a bit more educated about it atleast so he knows what's going on with me.

My GYN didn't know there were J-pouches, thought we all had ileos.

I guess this is why we have specialists!

It is amusing/baffling/sad that so many in the medical community still know so little about j-pouches.

Actually, my GYN is the only doctor I've been to since having this done who actually knew what a j-pouch was. Of course, she also thought I should look sickly, and was fascinated that I was more or less a functional person. Go figure.

I can relate! My GP, and I do like her, will ask me pretty stupid questions at every annual exam. This year's question was, "Do you have dumping syndrome?" Are you kidding me? I also paid a visit to the ER a few months ago to have a tick removed. The ER doctor took one look at my no-colon tattoo and asked me what it was for. What is it for? I don't have a colon!! He seemed incredulous and wondered where I was hiding my ostomy.

It gets pretty tiring having to explain this to supposed medical professionals. The only medical professionals that I encounter who seem to know about j-pouches, are nurses!

Sue

surbear - where is your tatoo at? I thought of another good reply "I put it there so in case of emergency doctors, like you, wouldn't waste time looking for my colon".

The tattoo is located on my abdomen about level with my hip bone. It's very obvious, which was my intent, in the event I am ever taken to the hospital unconscious.

Sue

About 20yrs ago I was hospitalised for pouch problems (sterile abscesses in the abdomen and on the spine, pouch down...ouch!) in a French hospital for the first time, My wonderful surgeon's 1st intern insisted that I still had a colon, I informed him that I had had a total colectomy...he refused to believe me, said that I couldn't live without one! (??) So about 4 days later after a battery of tests, x-rays and contrast studies he came into my room, threw the x-rays onto my bed and screamed at me, "there, there it is, your colon...I knew it, you lied to me...it is still there...look!"
I looked and sure enough it looked like a colon...asscending, transversal and decending in perfect shadow, seeminly unconnected to the rest of my system etc...I was shocked.
They opperated and put my pouch back on the wall and 'cleaned me up' but I had to go see my K pouch doc to find out what was going on...it turned out that it was just my small intestine that he had placed properly and had 'expanded' to take over the role of the colon...so even when you tell them that you don't have one...They don't believe you!
We need to educate them!!!!
Sharon

OMG Sharon - you could write a book!

Suebear - I never wanted a tatoo but like your idea. When I get better I'm getting one and am going to list all of my missing "parts" and "additions"....

Very funny. My husband is presently hopsitalized and nurses are asking him if he has moved his bowels and expelling gas rectally. He has an ileo, waiting for take down. Need education!!