Hi BKS,
So sorry but it is a bit unclear to me, does your husband have a j pouch? Why does he use a rectal cath to evacuate unless he has some sort of pouch (k pouch through an abdominal stoma, j pouch with the normal rectal exit)...if so how is he doing and what are the health issues that he is having?
Sorry for having to ask for more details but I need a bit clearer picture.
Thanks
Sharon
ps...I have had a k pouch since 79 and am now 53....so far, not so bad.
Sharon

I can only say that he did have a J-pouch. He is tall 6'5" and the operation took forever. He was told then he was the tallest person they did the procedure on. After 2nd Surgery he became very sick. It was concluded that He wasn't able to do a full clean out and so they had he start to cath.

Health problems I attribute to poor diet. High Blood Pressure. Endless colds, flu. Joint pain. enzyme on scalp. Dry Skin. Recent loss of bowel control-loose stools. Weakness, fatigue, dizziness. It's something new all the time.

Yikes…I'm not sure why height would be such an issue with abdominal surgery. All the pieces are in the same place, they're just longer.
I do know that weight complicates any kind of health problem.
Good luck

Actually, a long trunk and a narrow pelvis (common in men) can make for a very difficult j-pouch procedure because of the physical "reach" of the blood and nerve supply for the small intestines. It can even lead to an inability to do the procedure.

That said, years after surgery, he should have been able to adapt and function, as long as there was not chronic ischemia (reduced blood supply) to the anastomosis because of the "iffy" surgical presentation. Chronic ischemia can lead to functional difficulties, along with inflammation.

In addition, it does sound like he has other autoimmune troubles with the joint pain and eczema. I would suggest he be evaluated by a rheumatologist. If he is on medications for high blood pressure, that may be contributing to his other symptoms of weakness, fatigue, and dizziness. Sometimes, the medication is the root of many ills, so it important for ALL of the doctors to work together and make sure that he is treated as a whole person, not individual diagnoses.

A rheumatologist is a good person for this, as in addition to being expert in rheumatologic diseases, he would also be certified in internal medicine, and be able to look at issues like drug interactions.

Jan

My surgeon said the same thing.... he does not do J-pouches on "tall" people.

Hmmm..learn something new every day.
Thanks!