Hi everyone,
I had my j pouch surgery 2 months ago and am scheduled for takedown in a month. I dont know how Im going to last that long. Im so lethargic. The thought of getting up and doing anything makes me sick. The thought of eating and drinking makes me feel sick. I cant stand to lie in bed another second but as soon as I get up, it's all I want to do. Ive had a three stage procedure because my bowel perferated and I did feel good again before the second surgery but now I feel rubbish. Im also on flagyl right now for inflamation in the pouch. Ive been to hospital twice for dehydration and the thought of going back is just too much to bear. Will this end????

You will feel so much better once connected. I swear i was the walking dead after my second step. It is because of the loop ostomy. You are absorbing next to zero nutrition. I felt better about 1 week after take down.

I took off after about 3.

Hang in there and do NOT give up now. You have come to far.

Best to you

Derek

I also remember having severe nausea when I was on the bag. I couldn't stay hydrated either (which might've been the source of my nausea). These issues got MUCH better after takedown, energy went through the roof. Any remaining pouch trouble slowly faded away over the next year. This seems to be a common pattern. As Dtmack pointed out, it has to due with malabsorption. You have every logical reason to believe you will feel better after takedown. The hard part is waiting and toughing it out. Stay strong.

Jbear, I am 2 months post takedown and I am absolutely a new man. 4 months ago, I truly did not think I would be able to bear the pain, weakness and fear another day. I had a couple of bad complications after step 1 and was in despair. I am not a religious man but I wrote a sticky note on my computer about a verse I read somewhere. It said: You will forget your misery. You will remember it as waters that have passed away. I read it every day. It was from the Bible...Job 11:16. Months later I got my surgery date for takedown. It was Nov. 16...coincedence? The bottom line is that it will pass and you will get your life back. You will look back on this series of events and realize how much of a gift they were. Be patient, trust and reach out for help if you need it. We are all here for you. It will pass my friend!
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Rich

Thankyou!! That's exactly what I needed to hear. I feel like I want to scream but I dont have the energy which makes me want to scream even more! I think Ive resigned myself to the fact that between now and takedown I shouldnt expect much more from myself than to eat, drink and get in the occassional exercise (by that I mean walk up to the back fence and back ). I think it's time to re-watch Harry Potter .

jbear,

I just got out of the hospital yesterday for the takedown. I was ****ting myself in bed for a week.

Just being home for a day and I feel 1000% better.

After the colectomy 2 1/2 months ago I had to be resubmitted 3 times for severe dehydration before the diagnosed me with a rare condition called diabetes insipidous.

I know how you feel, 2 days ago I wanted to give up. Today I feel like I could run a marathon. Hang in there it will be better.

Coop

Hang in there! You're almost at the finish line!

Hi Jbear Where in Australia do you live, I am in Melbourne. I think we have the added problems because its so hot.I spent hours at the hospital getting rehydrated yesterday after going to the physio then today when i thought it had cooled down a bit got in the car and went to the beach for a cool off swim and was so sick I had problems walking back to the car. Lucky I only live 5 mins away
THis journey we are on is a tuff one but my oncologist
told me yesterday that after takedown the dehydrated
issues will get better.
I wish you all the best, please let us know how you get on
Lee

Based on your symptoms it sounds as if dehydration is your biggest problem. The feeling of lethargy and exhaustion can be dehydration. Anyway, hydration should improve with your reversal but do take care to get to know your new plumbing. You may need to snack on salty foods so that your body retains more fluids. Also don't overlook hydrating beverages.

Sue

Yeah Im following all the tricks to stay hydrated. It's such a vicious cycle because I get to the point where I dont want to eat or drink. I went to ED yesteray and got 3 L of fluids in 3 hours. Theres no way I could do that on my own and I feel alot better now. They were really nice down there and assured me it will get better and made me feel like I could go back down whenever I felt I needed it. Im just gonna enjoy feeling good while it lasts now.

If I were you, I'd keep going in to get fluids every so often. Obviously, you are needing it.

The flagyl could be contributing to the way you feel also. It caused me to have a lot of nausea. Different antibiotics effect people in different ways.