Can they actually go ahead with the formation of the jpouch even if the rectum is still inflamed with UC? Has anyone else had this prior to your surgery? Did it go away after? Since my first step I have had the bloody discharge which I know is normal, but I have had the rectal spasms and my family doc says it's because the rectum is still inflamed. I was on a quick dose of prednisone and cipro which helped for 2 days but now that I've finished the meds, the pain is returning. And he's not sure if I should be on these meds before the surgery, he really doesn't know a lot about the j pouch surgery itself, but he thinks that I shouldn't have pouch, but to keep the ostomy. I go see my surgeon on January 2nd for my pre-op, and surgery is scheduled for January 14th, and will ask him about my chances of being pain free before I go ahead, but wanted to know if anyone had the same problems, but are doing good with the pouch. I really appreciate any feedback.

if your UC effects your rectum, aren't they going to remove your rectum? I believe that they did so for me.

Do you have an experienced surgeon doing your proceedure?

I am under the assumption that they keep a small portion of the rectum (for continence)and attach the intestines (pouch) to it. Otherwise I don't understand why they would have kept any at all after the first surgery. My surgeon is supposed to be one of the top surgeons in Chicago.

I had my pouch surgery precisely because after 11 years of end ileo my rectul stump got inflammed and was bleeding. The scope has shown that the rectum narrowed inside due to repeated inflammation episodes and the mucosa was very thin. I was put on a course of Cipro which I didnt finish due to side effects. I then started myself on Bromelain 600mg twice a day and on Turmerick 600mg twice a day. Both potent antimflatory agents but natural supplements. My rectum stopped bleeding prior to surgery and the fever i had also subsided.
I had mucosectomy as it wasnt wise to keep that part of rectal mucosa with a pouch seeing I was susceptible to inflamation. So my surgery proceded as planned on 13th August this year with a hand sewn pouch.I am doing well so far 7 weeks post takedown.
I am not sure if the surgeon would have gone ahead if it was inflammed , maybe the fever etc would have been a risk factor in the anaestetic procedure. But when you think of it total collectomies are being performed with formation of pouch in one surgery I dont think inflammed rectum is an issue.Maybe others would comment on this. The rectum is being cut out after all because it is inflammed.
I ve never been on steroids proir to surgery so not really a comparable case.I am wondering if your sugeon thinks you may have crohns.Was thsi excluded?
I d ask more questiosn before you undego this surgery.,.is he an experienced surgeon?..mine performed 1600 of pouches so i was confident he knew what eh was doing!..you only have one go at this,,make sure you get the good surgeon.

martiangirl,
I guess your right about the 1 step surgery, that makes sense. As it stands my gi says that I have "undertermined colitis" apparently they can't say for sure if I have CD or UC, but all of my past symptoms favored UC. I plan on asking a lot of questions and I feel like I know a lot more than most from searching this site. I guess I am just worried that I will not be a candidate for the j-pouch surgery after all.

What tests did you have to show that it may be Cronhs?..
I remember after my colon removal my rectul stump continued to be inflammed for few months but it tehn settled .I never went ahead with the pouch surgery then because i got used tot he ileo , was healthy and got on with life and sort of forgot about it ..for 11 years.So end ileo can be ok if it turns out pouch is not for you. However it seems that only a surgeon who has experience with pouch surgery and collitis can make this assessment. I wouldnt go by what the GI says. Mayeb you could reschedule the surgery to give yourself more time to think and perhaps even obtain a 2nd opinion if you are having doubts.

hi, i also had indeterminate colitis. my GI and surgeon also felt that it was more likely to be uc though. after step 1 & 2 (of 3) i also still bled a bit due to inflamed rectum. i had final takedown about 7 wks ago and believe that the rectum was removed. to be honest i am not sure if any rectum was left or not, which is probably something that i should know! i have not bled since then except a little on the paper which i believe is just from some irritated skin and butt burn. i hope it all works out for you. good luck!

I've had biopsies done and recently had the Premetheus test to see if they could tell exactly what I have and still not sure. All my past flare-ups only involved the rectum, except this last one was the entire colon. They originally wanted to do the 2nd step in November, but I wanted to wait to put on more weight (I am 5"6" and was down to 90 lbs after my 1st surgery) I am now up to 110 and would put off the surgery even longer except for this pain. It's painful to sit down normally, I have been using a doughnut to sit on at work and have been having to take 1-2 tramadol a day. I did have some releif when I was on the quick round of steroids though and have used B&O suppositories, Canasa, and cortifoam enemas but none have given enough relief. If only I didn't have this pain, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get these surgeries over with, I just needed to know if others had this kind of problem before their surgery and when they finally got some relief.

Try some Bromelain and Turmeric, they helped me clear it. But you need to take terapeutic doses for it to work. 500 mg at leat twice a day is probably enough.
It doesnt sound like you have crohns, does it?That is good news for possibility of pouch .Hopefully a long chat with a surgeon would clear some of your concerns regarding imminent surgery.

I do not know for sure a whole lot, but one thing for sure, prensione before surgery, is definetly not a good thing.

martiangirl,
are those found over the counter or internet? I'm convinced that I do have UC- the only reason for each flare up that I've had was because I tried to quit smoking--oh well, I can live without a colon, can't live without my lungs!

I was on high doses of steroids before my first surgery and yes, I don't want to have to take it especially before this one! At least I am a little healthier for this second surgery (if it happens)

Yeah you can buy them over the counter (and on internet) in most health stores. Just food supplemets. I can see how stopping smoking had an effect..all the stress,,been there myself long tiem ago though.Appreantly nicotine is beneficial to collitis sufferers ,,but not cigarettes