Hi, I had a j-pouch done in Oct. '07 and I've had this pain in the tailbone/rectal area on and off. It is pretty bad right now, I'm still awaiting my surgeons callback. I was just wondering if there was a procedure similar to a colonoscopy where they look in the pouch? If so what's it called? And do they put you to sleep for it like the do a colonoscopy?

Yes, they scope the pouch, pretty much the same as a flex sig. Some get sedated, some prefer not to....I'm due for one in August ,not much for prep just nothing by mouth past midnight. and YES I am getting sedated. Although I have PTSD and , well, sort of have developed a reputation at the hospitals I frequent, lets just say, the last words I usually hear from the doc are "I WANT HER OUT!!". However alot of folks don't mind them too much and go without sedation. I'm sure some more folks will chime in their experiences. I'm probably more on the extreme side. They knock me out for everything.....
LoriP
Hey, just noticed you are from Iowa, I'm just across the River, which part of Iowa are you?

They can peek in the pouch like Lori said, but if the results don't show much, I believe they can also use ultrasound to check the area. In surgery one time, they used an ultrasound in my J-pouch to check things out. I don't think its a common procedure though. Hopefully Jan will come on soon and help!
Good luck

They can do a flexible sigmoidoscopy in a couple of minutes and see whether or not you have an inflammed cuff or pouch. Sedation is not necessary, but if you feel you will need it, make sure to tell them in advance so they can schedule it properly. If you wait until you are in the room, they may not be able to do it due to not having the right monitoring equipment or staff.

The doc can generally tell if you have cuffitis from the digital exam alone (the mucosa would feel bumpy). If these are negative and there is no sign of anal stricture, you may need a CT scan to rule out an abscess.

Jan

After having three flex sigs in the hospital's GI lab, I get the feeling the docs and their staff would rather we, the patient, are out cold....sort of. Not because we can't handle it but because they won't have to put up with our non-sedated state! Mine is usually full of questions. I'm sure my doc is biting his tongue wishing I'd "shut up" so he could just do his thing and finish everything. Oh, well! I feel I've earned the right to be awake, alert and part of it all. The procedure doesn't bother me and I like watching what is going on (on the monitor). I'm ususally full of questions, as well. Too bad! Luck of the draw...for my surgeon, I guess!

Thanks everyone for your reply's! I talked to my surgeon in MN on Friday and she is going to do a Pouchoscopy on Tuesday. So I'll have to travel to MN Monday. I'm getting knocked out cuz I'm a huge baby!

As of now she is thinking it could be one of two things....1~ Pouchitis (which she highly doubts, but can't rule out until she does an exam) and 2~ a narrowing of the pouch which could be causing rectal fullness, in turn pressing on surrounding muscles and tailbone. She didn't want to do a CT first since I've had about 10 in the past 8 months.

LoriP~ I'm from Dubuque, right over the bridge! You in Platville? If your close, I'd love to meet up sometime and chat. Possibly lunch or something!

Anyways, thanks again for the replys. I'll let you all know what the results are!