Hi Everyone,

Well, it looks like I might have the chronic type of pouchitis. On one hand this is disappointing but on the other hand, it's hopefully something that I will be able to manage with regular meds (hey, we've been through a lot... and we still keep going).

Anyhow... it's christmas time and the season of long mornings (coffee) and lots of celebrating (wine, beer). I would like to know if these are two things I should avoid this season because of the fact that, for stomach ulcers at least, they say that you should avoid these drinks. Since I have ulcers in my pouch (not the stomach kind), should I do the same? Just wondering if a little can still be ok?

p.s. I am on cipro so alcohol is ok but calcium and iron products are not.

Looking forward to your honest feedback even if it means... "sorry, you can't..."

Thanks,
Eric

You'll find it varies by individual, for me coffee and alcohol are off limits while I have pouchitis but usually ok while in remission.

Thanks for the answer... for me, I guess it makes sense that I hold back a bit but it's going to be very tempting over these holidays. I love my coffee in the morning and wine in the evenings especially with family around.

For me coffee doesn't really bother me much. In fact I think it kind of helps. I usually have a cup with my breakfast and then a cup while I sit on the toilet with my laptop reading post on j-pouch.org.

Eric,

I wouldnt say that calcium/irons/vitamins, etc. are "off limits", you just have to take them 2 hrs. before or 6 hrs. after the cipro. That's what I do, after reading all the literature. It's a pain to figure out the timing of it all, but it can be done.

How did you figure out you had chronic pouchitis? I mean, how do you know for sure? I'm sure several attempts to wean off the antibiotics were unsuccessful? I'm dealing with some issues, and hoping that's not the case for me, but thinking it may be.

For the first year after TD, coffee bothered...then, I started to develop some tolerance. A year and a half after TD I am OK with 3-4 cups a day.

I couldn't drink coffe when I had colitis. Now no problem. I haven't quite figured out the alcohol thing. Sugar in wine bother me. And anything cabonated, (beer or drinks with a pop mixer).

I doubt either are going to make your pouchitis worse but they may make your syptoms a bit harder to deal with. I find coffee can set things moving so I need the toilet but then that's generally pretty useful in the morning as it helps me empty out. Re the alcohol, beer can make you a bit more gassy and red wine (and stout as well) can be bad culprits for loosening you up.

Best advice is just enjoy yourself and have them anyway and see how you find it. I'd definitely err on the side of not cutting things out if possible because you don't want the pouchitis to rule your life.

It just depends on how much you want to deal with the symptoms. When my pouchitis flares, even a few sips of coffee cause cramping/pain that is just not balanced out by the pleasure of the coffee; if I can't make it through the whole cup without paying the whole rest of the day, it's not worth it. If you consume the coffee and alcohol with food you will find it sometimes lessens the problems, especially if you eat first.

My pouchitis flare-ups got less and less as the years went on after surgery. I'm 16 years post-op now and almost never have it, I have 1-2 coffees every day and wine regularly at night.

Hi,
I love my coffee and my wine. Since caffiene tends to be a laxative for me I have started mixing the grounds 1/3 caffienated and 2/3 decafe and it works for me. I still have to hold it to 2 or 3 cups but generally that satifies me.
I am like Shell I have a glass or two whenever I want and as long as I am eating it seems to be ok.
All you can do is try and see how it affects you. Good luck and Happy New Year!
Norma

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

Well, a quick update... it's now Dec.29th and I have been drinking wonderfully all week (not too much but just enough to socialize, wine for dinner and beer during the football college bowls) and I have been having about 2-3 cups of coffee per day. Things were going very well but 3 days after the cipro ended, it looks like things are back... (makes sense) BUT I really do not regret it, as I had fun, spent quality time with family and didn't hold back for either coffee or alcohol.

Anyhow, I luckily have a second dose of cipro with me (I am on the other side of the country) so now I just decided to really quit the coffee and alcohol now that xmas is over and just really treat this thing (like I said, it was worth it to test things out). Luckily my wife and I are flying back to Montreal on the 31st and we both decided we're going to stay at home that night (so I know I won't be tempted again). The only problem will be my morning coffee... (I am going to put that on hold at least during the antibiotics).

Oh and to answer someone's question, I really don't know for sure if this thing is chronic, it was the doctor that mentioned that since I still had ulcers after a dose of antibiotics, that it was probably the chronic kind.

Thanks again everyone!

Oh and a Happy New Year to Everyone... if you can, please drink one for me!

I will be raising a glass of the old red stuff to all of my j-pouch family and friends.

Cheers everyone D-¦ and have a Happy, Healthy New Year!

Shell

Eric, Check the pouchitis forum for more answers by typing in a search word like caffeine or alcohol
I have had my pouch 20 yrs and certain brands of coffee affect me.
Wine, champagne and beer are bad. Alcohol not the same.
Vodka and cranberry!
GO PATRIOTS!

Happy New Year Eric! I have also had my pouch for over 20yrs as Holly has. Coffee definately makes a difference depending on the brand for me. There is a little breakfast place near us that hubby likes to go to....let's just say, I now order tea/cocoa if we go there! But, I have no problems with alcohol of any kind. After spending time at an all inclusive resort in Mexico and sampling their drink menu, I know I'm lucky on that front(but went prepared!). The point is, everyone is so different that we all react differently to the same things! Enjoy!