Hi everyone! So for about the past three weeks I am mostly straining when I go to the bathroom and I can't seem to help it. I feel like I have to strain to totally empty my pouch to the best possible extent. I've also been seeing blood about 2 to 3 times throughout the day. Usually a little in the toilet or on the toilet paper or even a few streaks in the stool. I'm really not sure if it's a hemorrhoid or could I maybe have a prolapse j pouch even? My doctors thought it could be a mild case of pouchitis but I didn't think it was that, who knows! I'm new to the j pouch, only about a month since my take down and starting to get a little nervous that I could have a prolapse j pouch because of the pain my bottom endures...although I was just thinking it was butt burn, but then again I almost think I can feel something by my butt when I am straining. It's so hard to tell! I could use some input and advice thanks!
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Just to help narrow it down:
Is the stool watery, thick, solid, or hard?
Are you drinking plenty of water?
Are you taking a fiber supplement?
Are you eating a varied diet?
Are you taking any bowel slowers, like Imodium, Lomotil, or opiates?
Blood is very common with straining, so it may not mean much.
Is the stool watery, thick, solid, or hard?
Are you drinking plenty of water?
Are you taking a fiber supplement?
Are you eating a varied diet?
Are you taking any bowel slowers, like Imodium, Lomotil, or opiates?
Blood is very common with straining, so it may not mean much.
I go about 10 times in a 24 hour period. It is usuall liquid, but sometimes small soft pellets. I take 2 Metamucil wafers a day plus 8 mg of Imodium a day! Right now I am still trying to stick to a soft diet mostly and I try to drink as much fluids as I can!
If I were straining I'd back off on the Imodium, and at least see what changes.
Hi,
I'm three months post take down. I experienced the straining for the first two months at least, and still do a little. I had blood and the same feeling you describes as something being in the anal canal. I had my surgeon check, and it was hemorrhoids. He's give. Me one shot treatment, and though I still have more to go, it's helped a lot. I still have sore moments and occasional blood, but far less than before.
Did your surgeon check for hemorrhoids?
I'm three months post take down. I experienced the straining for the first two months at least, and still do a little. I had blood and the same feeling you describes as something being in the anal canal. I had my surgeon check, and it was hemorrhoids. He's give. Me one shot treatment, and though I still have more to go, it's helped a lot. I still have sore moments and occasional blood, but far less than before.
Did your surgeon check for hemorrhoids?
They did not check for hemohrroids but I told them I could maybe have one (I've never had one before so don't the symptoms exactly). I think I can feel my intestine almost if I am straining and it just is really getting to me. It's confusing because I can't look in the mirror or anything.
I found with my pouch that when things are fine, going to the bathroom is fairly quick and not a lot of pushing. When straining and pushing starts happening, it's almost always inflammation from pouchitis (for me). You're a month in, so it could be inflammation. Have them double check for hemorrhoids but know that pouchitis feels different with different people. Good luck!
Yeah I have pouchitis and a hemorrhoid 
So what's the best action for us J-pouchers when we have hemorrhoids? Obviously drink more.
But, physically, what should we be doing to make them go away? I just started wiping with Tucks medicated wipes. They have witch hazel as the main ingredient. Any other ideas?
But, physically, what should we be doing to make them go away? I just started wiping with Tucks medicated wipes. They have witch hazel as the main ingredient. Any other ideas?
a bidet is a j-pouchers best friend if you can get one, it washes and dries you so no wiping. I love mine! Can't imagine j-pouch life without it for me at least.