I've had my J-pouch almost 25 years - and I just found this group!! How I wish I had found it years ago. For the most part, I've been great. I haven't used any meds to manage my output; I just knew certain things caused certain problems and dealt with anything bad that happened on my own. Until about 12 years ago, when my output just seemed to change overnight. They found a stricture at the inlet, which they've been watching since. Still haven't really had too many problems - although I am now finding out from all of you here that 20 BMs a day is not normal, and I should have been managing it. I didn't know. I never complained about it. It wasn't causing me any physical pain; i just assumed it was normal. Over the past few years, it has been getting increasingly difficult to empty the pouch, and I will sit forever waiting and push for it to feel like it is finally emptied. This has (of course) caused a fissure, which has been incessant and painful on and off for several years. But my main concern is it seems to be getting more and more difficult to empty the pouch, and I am very worried about pouch failure. I'm just wondering if anyone out there has experienced this, had pouch failure, what happened for you, what did you do, does this sound like I'm getting ready to have a failure? Any input would be valuable. Thank you!
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