So, I was wondering if anyone else fell into a similar pattern with their pouch:

1. Pouch functioning nicely
2. Nice, formed stool
3. Frequency of about 6 times/day and 1/night
4. No urgency
5. Very little pain/itching/etc.

This will go on for weeks this way - and I am happy as a lark. Then, the second part of the pattern kicks in. I'm not sure what triggers it. Sometimes I think it's from one simple BM with a little straining. Maybe casuing fissures and allowing slight bacterial overgrowth? So, here's what I start to see - and these symptoms usually get worse gradually before getting better:

1. Poorly formed stool
2. Increased gas and frequency (though not a terrible increase)
3. Still no real urgency
4. Increased pain/itching and slight (watery red) blood when wiping
5. Acne-like breakouts on my face (not acne like when I was a teen, but spots that are clearly infected)

I will stay in this part of the pattern for several weeks, eventually healing up and going back to the good side. I have not taken antibiotics during any of these bad episodes - and don't intend to if it remains a mild problem that eventually resolves itself.

My question is - does anyone else have something similar happen? Or can you remember it happening like this for you? I know I used to have similar patterns with UC flares.

Thoughts?

Yes good a few weeks bad a few weeks. I get Acne
on my back and chest during bad(not face) but it is clearly infected and requires being covered and medicated with antibotic cream.

I usally get better before I see blood.

Don't feel alone. I keep reading and trying.

I'm thinking I do! I'll be fine one week..The next week not. Which is why I freak. Looks like and sounds like you handle it much better than I. I admire that. As for the acne, I went to see a dermo, she said I had adult acne! She put me on a wash and lotion. Poof! Gone! When I start with a break out, I just use the stuff, and it pretty much clears it up. I think with all that we have been through with illness and meds, its screwed up our system. Good luck! Sue

Thanks guys. Glad to know I'm not alone and imagining this pattern.

I always wonder - does the bacterial infection/overgrowth originate in my gut or on my skin? Kind of like the chicken and egg. I wonder what the infectious disease docs would say. I'll have to note this pattern for my surgeon when I see her.

Elmer:

I wish I had your pattern!! I am far from that.

When was your TD?
Did you ever experience any pouchitis? If so, how long did you have it for and what did you take for it med wise?
What other meds were you on?

I am very envious of you, so keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Craig

My TD was in October, 2006 - so I am about 8 1/2 months out now. I started seeing real improvements around 5 months out, so it took a while.

My meds/medicinal foods are:
- Breakfast: 1 metamucil wafer, 1 immodium, 1 sachet VSL #3 DS
- Lunch: 1 metamucil wafer
- Dinner: 1 metamucil wafer, 1 sachet VSL #3 DS
- Bedtime: 1 immodium

That's what I am on right now, and it has been working pretty well. Towards the end of my vacation last week I headed down the bad road so I am having some moderate anal irritation right now. Yesterday (day) was my best day so far - I only had 2 BMs. But I have found the law of averages holds true, and I was up 4 times (instead of my usualy 1) last night. Ugh! I would rather go during the day.

No diagnosed pouchitis, and I don't think I've had it. I have not experienced fever or cramping at all - just the symptoms described above, and they are not pouchitis symptoms. When my surgeon has looked, she has given me a clean bill of health. So no pouchitis to my knowledge.

If you had your TD in Feb. of this year, you are only 4-5 months out and should start seeing some real improvements. My suggestion is to always keep experimenting with foods, probiotics, fiber, and meds (immodium) to see what really helps you most.

Yes to everything but the acne. I always fall into the "bad" pattern at the same time of my period...and its quite consistent so I don't think its a coincidence. Just don't know why that would affect anything.

For instance last week was the first time I had started to get 4 and even 5 hours of sleep at night without having to get up for the bathroom.....start my period and I'm up every 2 - 3 hours. And of course the irritated butt follows.

I'm 7 months post TD so I still chalk it all up to improvement, especially the irritation clears up a lot faster.

How 'bout this for a pattern......do you find when you are on vacation out of town, or basically not at home your symptoms are better? I do.

Hi Elmer
that all sounds so familiar,to a T.I do have one more issue that keeps coming up,was wondering if you have had this , I keep getting a reacurring ear ache,I am on cipro long term and the doc says it looks like a yeast type infection or maybe exzema,there not sure.ever heard of that
matt

Laurie...I notice that when I am out and about or keeping busy, I think about it less....But, when it is quiet and no one is asking for anything...the wheels start spinning...Sue

I get like a rash sometimes on my face, but I never really associated it with my gut till now. I guess it is all related.
As for poorly formed stool/increased gas/slight blood when at the loo, I always take one or two antibiotics and it clears it up within 12 hours.

Laurie, I'm not sure about the vacation/out of town link. I have seen several posts about this from Cataja recently and I think the concensus is that the reduced stress level of vacations may be why we seem to do better. I wondered while in CO recently, if it had anything to do with being more dehydrated. Getting out of the normal routine makes me more prone to drink less. The lower stress would increase our body's ability to fight any infection - so it makes sense.

As for the ear ache, Matt, that's interesting. I really think we are all dealing with a bacterial infection that makes our digestive symptoms worse, but are possibly susceptible to different bacteria? So the one I have a problem with causes skin infections, and maybe you have trouble with whatever bug frequently causes ear infections.

Maybe I'll print this thread and take it to my surgeon in September and see what she says.

My gi dr. has been giving me samples of xifaxin because i get periods of joint aches and fatigue, along with looser and more frequent diarrhea, even though he doesn't think i have pouchitis. the symptoms clear up so quickly when i take it, especially the aching. he said he has other patients who agree. (My insurance co. doesn't agree). in fact i guage when i need to take it not by my digestive symptoms, but by my joint aches. this cycle may be similar. does xifaxin fight bacterial infection, supporting that theory? works for me!
ellen