The only issues I've had with my pouch in the last year is on-again/off-again cuffitis. I'm headed in next week for a pouchoscopy with Dr. Shen to make sure there's nothing more going on (eg a stricture).

However, I started experiencing some major butt burn on Sunday that I first assumed was due to something I ate the night before. I have also had trouble fully emptying. This has continued for 3 days now without much relief. Yesterday I also started to feel an achy feeling in my lower intestine/jpouch area.

Has anyone experienced this before? Could it be from straining too hard to empty? Maybe some type of adhesion that tore? Any input is appreciated.

Could be any variety of things, including pouchitis. Are you feverish at all, or achey all over? More tired than usual?

Treat the BB as best you can; are you still on meds for the cuffitis? You might want to cut back on food and go mostly liquid for a day or so to see if that helps, then start up slowly eating again. Be sure to ask your doc about it next week, however, even if you're feeling better.

If you develop a temp or more pain, you need to be seen sooner.

Gin

I have a stricture and have trouble emptying. I also have cuffitis and simmering pouchitis since takedown 4 months ago. The cuffitis is better since taking canasa for the last few weeks and the pouchitis is also improved from months of augmentin.

I was dilated in the office two weeks ago for my stricture and things seem to have gotten worse since then with regard to straining to empty my pouch. I need to call my surgeon's office today.

I think the cuffitis can cause some of your issues as if your cuff is inflamed, it makes emptying difficult. If emptying is difficult, pouchitis can simmer also which may be causing the achy feeling in your pouch.

If you have never had a stricture (I have had mine since takedown), I am not sure you can just develop one, but if there is ongoing inflammation in your cuff that is not controlled, maybe it could potentially cause a stricture?

I am very interested in your report from Dr. Shen and hope you will post your results. Best of luck to you. I can let you know how I make out when I see my surgeon also if you are interested.

I am hoping I am not resigned to a life on canasa suppositories as I have trouble getting off the augmentin without issues and now this stricture is really getting under my skin.

I've been debating filling a prescription for antibiotics to see if its pouchitis; I'm not feverish but do feel run-down and slightly achey. I had chalked that up to dealing with the pain.

I do still use Canasa and OTC Preparation-H suppositories for the cuffitis. Both at the suggestion of Dr. Shen.

I've had a stricture before...roughly a month after takedown. I went back to the Clinic and my surgeon put me under to remove one right at the junction of my pouch and rectal cuff.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes next Friday.

Draegs,

How did your surgeon remove your stricture as this is what I may be facing. The surgeon indicated he would put me out for it. Did he do a balloon dilation or something else and how long ago did he do it? My stricture is exactly where yours was.

Good luck!

My surgeon put me under for the procedure. I'm not sure what the process was he used to remove the stricture.

Dr. Shen scoped my pouch on Friday and found no signs of active pouchitis or cuffitis, nor any strictures. He thinks I've been dealing with load-grade pouchitis and that's what's been causing my symptoms. It makes sense as antibiotics have provided the only relief.

He has me trying lactulose as a prebiotic. If that doesn't work the next step is VSL #3. Should neither of those help the third step will be a month-long treatment with a stronger antibiotic.

Draegs..good luck with your regime......

I have been on augmentin for 5 months with no issues and a fine working pouch (finally) with the exception of a mild stricture and my surgeon is not concerned about my staying on this med..just something to think about if the prebiotic does not work. I also have been taking VSL3 reg and now DS and I honestly do not think it does anything. My pouchitis is also mild but the symptoms are a killer.