Does it get better than it is after 2 weeks post takedown? Well, here's the short answer for you:

Hell yeah it gets better!

Seriously though, it gets much better as time goes by. I was miserable at 2 weeks out and now, at 5 months, I'm feeling like myself again (most days).

I sure hope it does too Niki. I had my reversal 10 days ago. The worst part about it is the pain I get with gas and stool moving through my system. I'm guessing from what it feels like that I am having to clench my butt cheeks and squeeze my sphincter real tight when I feel something pass down my intestines and go into the J Pouch and then (very carefully) open up a very little bit to pass gas. I have had many many sharts so far. I can't sleep more than 2 hours. The butt burn sucks, but I can deal with that. If I ran to the bathroom every time I felt waste passing through, I would be in there every 10 minutes. I'm thinking it has to get better. I didn't get any pain meds from the doctor cause I'm allergic to narcotics. The pain of surgery has already gotten a lot better, so that's progress. I did 450 push ups yesterday. For me, physical exercise helps a lot even though the doctors are very against it. I've ignored my surgeon on this topic for all 3 of my surgeries and haven't had a problem. I usually start lifting weights after 2 weeks (very light) at first and then just listen to my body. Of course, nothing that affects the mid section (you can still do quite a lot of exercises). Anyway, I got way off topic. I hope things get better for you and I and everyone else in this boat!

Yes it gets a million times better. Two weeks post takedown was miserable for me.

Epic Scotsman- Your posts are always great! haha keep them coming!

It's hard for me right now. I'm 23 and this is something I never thought I would have to go thru and what's killing me righ now are the spasms and butt burn. It's killer, and it didn't help I was released on a Thursday and moved
Into college that Sunday and had a full week of class. I'm still in pain and the spasms kill during class I just want to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

If you're still in pain and need meds you should
contact your doctor or their assistant and let them
know. They can put a request for a refill into your
pharmacy.

I am almost 5 months post takedown and still have some bad afternoons/evenings with lots of bm's and sore bottom. But working full time and enjoying life. It does get better with each passing day, you are still in very early recovery. I agree with others to get your pain meds refilled for sure and stick to a low fiber low residue diet for awhile. If you don't have a bidet clean your tush off after each bm with a squirt bottle with warm water. You can get a portable handheld bidet for 59.00 thru bidetplus.com, I have one at work and one in my car for travels, it really helps. Take care and keep us posted on your recovery.

My god you had to go to classes just the following week? I'm sorry, that is really unfortunate. I'm one month post surgery now, I still get some bad butt burn every few days if I ate something disagreeable. Find a diet that works for you and stick to it for a while. My doctor told me to go high fiber already and I cannot deviate very much from my whole grain breakfast, whole grain turkey or chicken sandwich for lunch, and my whole grain noodles with varying lowfat and non-tomato based sauces for diner. I deviated yesterday to disastrous consequences.

I was going 12 times just two weeks ago, now on good days I'm down to 7 or 8. It gets better and I pray it gets better from my vantage point too. I took some time off to deal with the transition. I go back to work next week. I can't imagine having to go to college classes the week following surgery.

To deal with really bad Butt burn at night when it prevents me from going to sleep I apply benzocaine (can be in oral gel form minus the menthol) to relieve the pain and allow me to sleep. You will find other things that work for you.

im confused about the high fiber from your doc. whats his theory and is it working good? all ive read says no whole grain...

To chasingtime.

My Doctor is Dr. Harms of the University of Wisconsin Hospital. I only say that because I know he's not some random doctor and has done several hundred of the surgeries, it is his primary surgery he performs and people come from around the country to have him perform the surgeries. All of their pamphlets and printed handouts I've received from them as well as talking directly to Dr. Harms has told me to once food is passing through to start slowly increasing the fiber in the diet from 0 to 20-25 grams per day. I think the reasoning is that in regular people fiber helps move stuff through fast, in J-pouch patients, you are already going many times and the fiber actually helps slow down the amount of trips. On top of that, high fiber diets are low in fat, when you eat fat you produce bile and the bile is NASTY on the back end when it comes through. I've eaten the same meals with chicken, then with beef and the beef is always butt-burn city. High lipid foods like alfredo sauce, the fat in meats, and dairy I have found all do not work for me.

Yes I went to class not even a week out. And I ran out of
Pain meds and it was a pain in my butt literally to get more they thought I was just laying at home and I wasnt. I get questioned bc I'm young about my pain and it sucks. Like now I can't sleep the butt burn is killing me and idk what to do. I just want to cry