Feeling a lot better this morning. Took a vicodin,ibuprofen (constricted throat)and a stool softner last night with some tea. Did some stretching/standing with my last bowel movement of the day and I seemed to empty the pouch a lot better. Sat in a sitz bath after that and was able to get some rest.

I did get up twice to go the restroom but nothing came and I was feeling some cramping around the abdominal area. Definitely had some backup this morning but eventually had 3 bowel movements and all were solid for the most part but no burning sensation. Maybe sitz baths and sitting on a heated pad is all I needed.

I'm so glad things are resolving. You'll find that the new plumbing fine-tunes itself for a long time. My 23-year old pouch still comes up with new tricks. Not bad tricks, just new ones.

kathy

Yea its up and down. It was good all day and then last night from 2am-10am, i was in the restroom every 15mins. Butt spasms were so severe that Id practically be on my knees if I was standing and there was nothing I could do to hold it in.

I was having mucus discharge every other day from the butt even when I had the temporary ileostomy. I also noticed some of the stool looked like it was covered in mucus the same way when I had a diseased colon. Hopefully its not pouchitis or anything. Is it normal for surgeons to avoid putting you on antibiotics during takedown surgery? I know the first surgery I was getting IV antibiotics.

FXT The mucus is a good thing, it's a sign of healing. As things find their place it may get a little..uncomfortable frequency will likely go up. As you have already experienced stretching and diet play a huge role. I went on a high fiber low protein diet for 5 months post-op. Also you may wish to avoid gas producing foods as they will cause pain. msg me if you want to talk further.

Ill take you up on the PMs. I was finally able to contact someone irl who is 3 years post op from his JP surgery and he gave me some helpful advice. Metamucil with every meal is helping bigtime along with some Calmoseptine cream with menthol in it. Doctor also gave me a script for Valium so was able to sleep a bit longer although boxers were dirty when I woke up. I guess its a trade off haha

Hi I am new to this site, i had my take down back in Feb 21 2013. The first few weeks were okay, but the last few have been off the wall and driving me crazy. io have severe butt burn and constant itching that drives threw a roof and I am unable to get comfortable, which is making me now very down and anxious, two of which I never I had before. I used oitment possible that i can think of like desitin, a & d ointment, vasilin, tuck, belenol etc. is there a really a light at the end of the tunnel? Can some please help me with a rememdy of some sort or just give me advice because this is very frustrating. I'm only rating thing like rice and chicken, egg sandwich on white bread, PB & J sandwiches, etc. and for some for some reason i can not figure it out, there like a disconnect between my brain and bowels. Can some please help me. Thank you so much.

Brendan

I remember at about three months post op I called the nurse and basically said the same things you two are saying. She was always wonderful and she patiently replied, "You need to put your patience hat on and keep it on. Everything you are experiencing is normal. This will not happen fast." So I did that. I am now 9 years out and doing well. You will probably get there too.

I do have one concern. You are eating soup, eggs....???? Check out the foods page on this site. I could not eat anything but sourdough (white) bread, bananas and a few other things for at least 4 months and maybe more. My hair was falling out, my nails were brittle, I felt horrid because my diet was so limited. I finally was able to add juices - not the juice box type, but Naked brand or Odwalla. I began with the ones that were probably the least acid. The green Naked one was good. I SLOWLY built from there. My hair grew back, my nails became supple again. Now I eat anything I want.

So, put your patience hat on. If there is a concern, definitely come here and/or call your doc. The time will pass. One day you will be the one giving the advice because you've been there and you know what hell it is.

My takedown was 36 years ago....and it still offers up a new trick once in a while. Patience is your best friend right now. By chance did your doctor put you on a reflux medicine like Nexium or Protonix? Both of these help with stomach acids which cause the butt burn. I use Boudreaux Butt paste and keep it in the drawer next to the potty; if the trots hit...its actually diaper rash creme...you can find it on Amazon if you can't get it in your area. Do like KTA suggested and go SLOW in adding the foods...if you are going try a new food...do it from home. Even now there are some things i still can't eat but no great loss. Welcome to the jpouch life...its trial and error but in my opinion preferable to the hell we were going thru before our surgeries. I had read on another one of the posts a while back that someone had tried matzo to help bulk up as well...I bought some and keep them around for days when things are a little loose...and they are tasty. Hang in there...it does get better with time. Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Havent updated in a bit. So the doctor suggested I go in for a contrast CT and they located an abscess near the right side butt wall and put me on two strong antibiotics. I should be having another CT in a few days and then possibly a drain inserted depending on my symptoms. (fingers crossed that its not a fistula)

I just finished the antibiotics today and everything has been going alright. Metamucil was a godsend and fortunately I havent had butt burn since I started taking it. I have experienced the butt itch and the calmoseptine with menthol does help with that but I mostly just itch it carefully or ignore it.

Diet wise, Ive tried different things and everything gets the same reaction from a banana to seafood. At this point Im going roughly 6-8 times a day on average and 2-4 at night. My only issue currently is that half the nights I wake up with dirty boxers at night.

Ive recently started to take 1-2 immodiums with mornings and afternoon meals and have been playing around with meal times at night hoping it will reduce the accidents but so far nothing has worked consistently. I'll try taking some immodium at bedtime and see if that helps.

Theres good days, theres terrible days but my outlook on this is a lot better now. Im in it for the long haul.

Thanks for the responses guys.

Kta I havent looked at the food list and will look at it asap. Even though right now my symptoms are good, you never know whats going to happen after antibiotics run their course.

ValB my doctor didnt give me a script for any reflux meds. I tried Pepto (after reading in a few threads that it worked) before the metamucil trick but I havent used it since. The only things I take currently are yogurt with probitic and half a Vicodin (although this was replaced recently with immodium instead) and the calmoseptine cream.

BrenMC try taking metamucil for a day or two (1 teaspoon after every meal) and see if that takes care of the burning issue. worth a shot.

Thanks FXT, I'll def try it. Fingers crossed.