I am currently waiting to have a j-pouch redo in August. I had a pouch for about a year but it kept twisting shut at both connection sites. They tried twice to dilate it to get it to reopen but it kept twisting shut again. The doctor said we need to remove the pouch or you could die. Okee dokee then by all means remove it. He told me there was enough rectum left to possibly get another pouch installed. He referred me to Dr. Remzi at the Cleveland Clinic. I went for a consult in March and he told me there is an 80% chance for success, which of course I'm going to take the chance. In the meantime I was so down when I came home from the hospital I had to start depression meds. It took 2 tries to find one that worked and I guess it's working ok but I have my moments. My problem is I have no sex drive and feel horrible for my husband. This is awful to say but I "participate" but I'm not really there if you know what I mean? We've been intimate but I'm never comfortable - especially when I hear the crackling from the bag....not too romantic. My husband claims he understands and is really great about it - it's me that can't handle it. Now to top it all off I've been on this birth control Seasonique for about 5 months and yesterday I started voiding clots of blood. Of course I have an appointment with my ObGyn tomorrow,, but really could anything else go wrong? Not only do I have to clean up after a bag but now this too!!! It is also killing me that time is going by so slowly until my surgery - 8/25. Summer is usually my favorite time of the year and now I can't wait for it to be over. Just wanted to vent. Thanks for listening.

I am so sorry you are going thru this. I totally understand about being intimate. I didn't know it at the time I had my ileo, but there is a website that you can order special underwear and intimate clothing that "hides" the bag and keeps is secure. I'm sorry I don't know the name of the site...hopefully someone will come along that knows it. Or maybe you can Google it. I just remember someone posting about it on here. That would have been good if I knew about it then.

I wish you much luck with your pouch re-do. You are going to the best possible place to have it done. It's a shame you have to wait all summer for it. I know it's so hard when you are feeling down but try to focus on the positive that it will all work out in the end. Try to enjoy your summer the best you can. Best wishes

I found the site for you it's: intimatemomentsapparel.com

I hope this helps

HOpe,
So sorry for all that you are living through...I know that it is hard but please, never tempt the Gods....accept with enough serinity as possible that this is bad but it can always be worse (sorry, been there, done that)...and that if all goes well, this soon shall pass...as for the intimate issues (also been there, done that, and am still doing it)...I have been very successful with cutting most of the crotch out of some really sexy undies (if you cut the whole thing out it rides up during activites and then defeats the purpose)...just cut the cotton part out and leave in the edgy-borders to hold in place...that way you can choose whatever you like in your favorite store (at reasonable prices) and then modify them...
for me it made my "shame and horror factor" a bit easier to deal with....I know that we shouldn't feel that way but there you have it...
I would also try to enjoy the season by doubling up your bathing suit (an extra bottom under a 1 peice for example) and getting a lttle relating sun time.
This all should be over soon and then you can burn the cut-out panties as therapy!
Sharon

I think most Anti-depressents list a lowered sex drive as a possible side effect plus you have that dam bag. Your husband probaably doesn't care - believe him and things will get better. It's not your fault you got the stupid horrid disease that ended up having to hve this done.
Good to vent!

I've been told that when your mind is in "survival" mode, your sex drive drops to the bottom of the list. You're so busy surviving that that's the priority at the time and once you've made it through, the sex drive will come back. Having said that, when I had the bag, I used a cheap ace bandage that I got from the drugstore and wrapped it around my midsection to secure the bag to my body and get rid of the "crinkling" noise. Then I put on some nice lingerie. Two more months....

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