had a dilation this past tuesday 5/5/15. i still feel like there is some incomplete emptying going on. over all i can tell that emptying is easier. should i give it more time before letting my surgeon know this, thinking it could just be inflammation. my mind has jumped to wondering what else has incomplete emptying as symptom which is pouchitis and cuffitis right?
what else should i look for to narrow it down if it doesn't ease up more?
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You might want to give it a few more days, as a dilation is a form of local trauma and there may indeed be some irritation/inflammation from the procedure. But absolutely, if you are not seeing any improvement by Monday, it may be worthwhile to contact your surgeon. The first thing to rule out at that point would be pouchitis, as a feeling of incomplete emptying is one of the most common symptoms.
I hope you can get it sorted out!
to add to it theres a sharp pain in my bottom occasionally if im holding it for long.
i emailed my surgeons aid. shes always there in the visits when i go..this is the response i got. for some reason it makes me a bit angry and im not sure i get the logic behind trying to add bulk when its already incomplete emptying. today is a frustrating day overall so its probably just blending into everything else.
Hi Mr Tracy,
Perhaps you can add a small dose of fiber to help empty all the way. The bulking action should get it all out at once. Like FiberCon 1 tab daily or Metamucil/Citrucel/etc 1 tsp daily. Take fiber opposite of your bowel function- if more BMs in AM take fiber at night and vice versa.
Also I'd like you to begin a probiotic if you aren't already taking one. Kefir drinkable yogurt, GoodBelly juice, etc.
makes sense to you guys?
The idea is that you need more bulk for the gut to work against to make perstalsis more productive. It can also help help dilate the sphincters better, as you pass more bulk. Works for many, but not everyone. The only way to know is to try it.
Jan 
Your surgeons advice does make sense...I am sorry you have had a hell of a time. I have been following you since before my take down. Sadly, it really is just trial and error -- it seems I am learning the hard way. You just don't know until you try, damn irritating of an answer -- but honestly a truthful one. I am 3 1/2 weeks post take down -- and it has been the last few days I seem to notice some manner of pattern. That said this pouch is like an infant -- as soon as I have it figured out, the tricksy bastard changes. I did notice a little more bulk did help emptying and I had less spasm/need to empty when nothing was in there. Hang in there...
So i started citrucel last night. i should do this for a few days to see any type of improvement right?
Yes. Good luck. Hope it helps you.
Jan
Good luck! Citrucel and mashed potatoes were good thickeners for me. Oatmeal and Metamucil made peristalsis too excited and I got more urgency. All trial and error for each of us, as you know! Wishing you well.
I don't empty all the way either and my surgeon told me its because my muscles down there are very tight
maybe that's your problem??
My GI says it is best not to let our poop to lay around in the pouch for too long as that might contribute to my cufitis/pouchitis. When I feel it's not all emptying I give myself a little enema using my bidet that has a turbo function. Sometimes I think I can feel the short side of the j getting bogged down with no way of emptying. That's because said I had a balloon dilation in February and it was further up from the opening. I'm sure it shut back up soon after the procedure was done during a pouchoscope. I am taking antibiotics all the time and think it has opened up or partially opened up. TMI - when my poo comes out in about the shape of a green/string bean I know things are backing up. So I shoot some water up there to facilitate getting the waste out.
I am waiting until I have several months using the new $1,000 antibiotic rotating with augmentin. I just could no longer take Flagyl. It was making my peripheral neuropathy worse, among other pleasantries.
Good Luck!
TE Marie,
i can relate to the green/string bean deal. after the water enema deal do you find things are better formed and moving better for awhile after?
dgtracy,
The first that comes out is still pretty thick and once it's out the remainder is less formed. I feel a lot better too as I feel less bloated. We went out of town visiting family and my husband had to purchase some fleet enemas for me. I was miserable and it was very painful. So whenever I need to leave home again I am taking a few with me. It's better to empty them out an just use water but I really don't care at the point I'm in so much pain. I hope this is some help.
I eat a lot of fruit that is emulsified in my super blenders when making fruit/veggie PlantFusion Protein smoothies. So I am getting plenty of fiber or ruffage - whatever. So I haven't used generic Metamucil in a long time. My j-pouch is over 4 years old, without the difficulties you've had.
I envy your mucosectomy. Not the having operations and temp ileo part but would love to get my cuff worked over so I could get rid my chronic cuffitis..My GI at Mayo's had an appointment arranged with a surgeon last summer but he cancelled it after performing my pouchoscope. My cuffitis had improved a lot. Sometimes I wish I'd at least talked to him....
Good Luck
i may end up doing the water enema over the weekend. i have a business trip on Monday and would be great to not feel bloated while there for 3 days. i may start some cipro & flagyl saturday if my surgeon gets back to me tomorrow.
The mucosectomy didnt bother me to bad after the procedure. i thought there would be more pain but since i didnt notice much of a change i think my problems were mostly because my small intestines had "fallen" and were in a pile wrapped around the j pouch. one has to wonder if i even needed that surgery but hopefully it is keeping other things at bay.
