I'm about three months post-takedown and haven't really had a good healthy period. I've had a few days that were pretty good but I always seem to have symptoms again. I was put on Cipro for 14 days and had some good periods in there but once that cycle ended, I suffered again. Now I'm on another cycle of 1/2 dose but my surgeon just told me to take the full dose. I may have to add Cortifoam if things are still "sensitive" down there. I'm trying to keep my chin up but I get resentful when I feel stuck in my house, unable to do what I need to do. When does this get better??

I understand the desire to have a normal healthy period back but it takes about a year for you body to "snap back" from major surgery plus add about a month for every month that you were really, really sick...(this is my scale and is not totally scientific)...figure about 12-18 months before you get your diet right, your nutrition balanced, you body back and your hormones figure out what's what...your periods flucutate due to stress, illness, nutrition and swelling etc..(things were probably ****fted around quite a bit down there too)...so be patient...the hardest thing to do sometimes...if after 12 months you are still not regular, have unusual pains, or are not satisfied with how things are going then consult an obs/gyn who understands IBD, pouches or any such stuff (we are a bit more complicated than the average uterus!)
Hang in there, it takes time...
Sharon

Sharon, your words came at a good time for me. I've been missing my mom who passed away between surgeries one and two. She was my voice of reason, being a nurse AND a mom, and I'm feeling kind of alone (how can that be with my favorite support group here??). A year and a half, huh? I've done the ileostomy and know I can go back to that if I had to, so I understand being in close contact with a surgeon or gastroenterologist but, I'm curious, why consult an OB/GYN? Hormonally speaking? It's ironic, I went to an OB/GYN who studied IBD with Andrew Weil and her diet made me sicker, but I'm probably the fluke in her practice.

Are you talking about a normal healthy period as in menstruation or having a time where you feel healthy? Obviously two different things. I thought you were talking about feeling healthy for more than a day or two, not about having your menses back.

If it is about feeling down in the dumps, then I guess the answer can be similar, in that it can take a year or more before you regain your vitality and zest for life that you once had. Don't forget, depression and anxiety are pretty common reactions to the trauma of chronic illness and surgery once all the commotion is over. You have survived all the trauma and now when you are left to your own devices you begin to feel sad for no reason at all. Of course, you have plenty of reason to be sad, with the loss of your mom. You didn't really have time to grieve her loss when you were in the throes of your surgeries. So, it is OK to have your pity party and get it out of your system.

Jan

Wow, Jan, you really hit the nail on the head. There's something to be said for being busy with surgeries and such as well as, for me, being busy with my mom's affairs; now the dust is settling. Some days I feel more equipped to step up to the plate than others. Today I guess just wasn't one of them. Having said that, takedown is a little different because adjustment can be a two steps forward, three steps back process and that can play with one's head. Regarding my "periods", I have not menstruated in almost four years (I can't imagine having to deal with leaking from another orifice!). Yes, I was talking about periods of time and wanting longer ones of feeling rather good. Sharon, please disregard my OB/GYN inquiry!