I am new here, but not new to having a j-pouch. I have had a j-pouch since 1998. Never really had any problems except an occasional bout of pouchitis, so I know what it is and what it feels like. I had a baby via C-section in September and had my first blockage right after due to the fact that they let me eat immediately afterwards. My gastro-intero had to be called and he said that was probably a big no-no since pouch people have slower bowel wake ups from a surgery. Any how, ever since then (off and on) I have been experiencing bouts of constipation, urges to go and not feeling any relief, I have lots of gurgling and movement but on my left side. Some major gas pains. I feel no activity on the pouch side. Once in a while I get some relief, but it starts up again. I am taking probiotics. (Extra-strength now) and that was when I noticed some relief. But now it's doing it again. And I am still taking the probiotics. Don't want to call my DR. but I'm thinking I may have to. Anybody got any ideas as if this is pouchitis not in my pouch area or a partial blockage?

Those symptoms do not sound like pouchitis to me. Since you mention constipation, perhaps you are dehydrated or have a potassium deficiency. How's your urine output? You could try drinking lots of high-potassium liquid foods, like broth, OJ, yogurt, bananas. Perhaps purple grape juice to get things moving. If you are breast feeding, you probably need LOTS more fluids with potassium, magnesium, calcium, etc.

I also had a baby in September and had issues with my pouch in the hospital. I had trouble with constipation and things just weren't moving very well for a while after I got home from the hospital.

I had been taking culturelle for years but felt like it wasn't helping enough. So, I bought some VSL#3 and took that for a few weeks. I feel like that really helped things move better in my pouch along with me drinking just a ton of water and avoiding all the foods that keep things from moving.

It took a few months but my pouch went back to normal and I switched back to culturelle.

Maybe having a baby does that to you, I don't know but my pouch isn't the same as it was pre-pregnancy but it's not as bad as it was post pregnancy either.

I decided to go with the dehydration theory and I have been drinking alot of gatorade. It seems to have helped out alot as I have had some relief and the pain and gurgling in my left side has quit. Tuesday evening I layed down on my left side and had some incredible pain. Tried laying on my right side and the pain was still there. Layed on my back and it eased up, but by morning, everything seemed to have passed through me and I'm getting some sounds on my pouch side now. But I think it has been the drinking of the gatorade that has helped out the most. Thanks for the replies!