I don't remember any urgency just after my takedown, I remember being advised to resist the urge to go; so to stretch the pouch and to create longer periods between BM's, although I don't know whether I actually did this, everything kind of just occurred naturally.

Even now, nearly two years since takedown, my sleep is very rarely disturbed.

I believe urgency can be a sign of Pouchitis, which I've never experienced and considering I read about it often on this forum, I know very little about.

My takedown was 3 weeks ago, and for me some of that urgency came with gas. I could usually hold on through those spasms and then it feels fine, or sometimes I'm able to pass those bubbles right out with no problem and that helps (though you will want to proceed with caution doing this). If that's what it is, it should get better with time and you will be better able to recognize what's going on and whether you can hold on or you need to get to the toilet. I too am sleeping pretty much through the night though I still occasionally have leakage. Good luck! 

Information from my surgeon today suggested that everything that's happening with me is normal, thankfully. Last couple days I was getting quite bad cramps now and then followed by a strong urgency, so I tried cutting down on the milk intake and now the cramps aren't as intense.

I've been told the urgency will settle. Probably the fact this part of my bowel hasn't been used for nearly two years is why it'll be tough at first until it adjusts.

Boogiemomz, do you not wake up because of gas cramps or anything?

No, it typically doesn't wake me up. It's more a rumbling feeling than really crampy, and it generally passes without disturbing my sleep, thankfully. Occasionally I have a little leakage overnight with it but I manage fine just wearing a pad, so it doesn't bother me too much. 

My small bowel emptied into a colostomy bag and once or twice per week, mucus was expelled from what remained of the rectum.

For a good few hours after takedown, I endured frequent BMs and the desire to evacuate many times but I dont recall urgency.

How long did it take for your poo to solidify to a normal consistency after takedown?

A normal stool consistency for a J-poucher is pretty soft. I'd advise against hoping for logs, or even thinking of them as good.

Yeah that's what I meant... because to start with it's very loose like diarrhoea so I was wondering how long it takes to get it to a more solid form (not like a log)

Poop has never returned to normal, certainly not formed, more like a thick porridge consistency, which I now regard as normal, it started to thicken roughly 3 days after takedown.

Ah okay, thanks. I was told it will be a rough first couple weeks until my bowel settles to be fair so I'm just gonna try and be patient considering it's only a week since takedown.

My BM were down to 4 - 5 per day by time I left Hospital and since takedown, have more or less remained the same since, although some days could be an many as 6 but never less than 2.

I wouldn't say BM's have increased, as it can vary so much from day to day

Output can be more loose but more often than not, it's relatively thick, just not formed.

Initially, as a precaution, after every BM, I applied ilex to prevent butt burn and eventually, without even thinking about it, I just stopped using it, although from  time to time, the moment I feel the slightest itchy burning sensation, out comes the ilex and applied for 2/3 days.

Best to have a tube of ilex and not need it: than need it and not have it.

My butt burn has gone after a week from using Sudocrem, wet wipes, etc... Really happy about that to be honest! Because it was not the most pleasant... Now it's just a case of improving the consistency, urgency and BM's per day. That'll all come over time though.