well, I am on my second jpouch that was hooked up just over a year ago. First one was a mechanical failure that had a sinus that ended up with a sinus that leaked into my spinal column.Had horrible back pains from it. New pouch was constructed in October 2015 by Dr Remzi at Cleveland Clinic. They did the gastrograffin enema xray before takedown and said good to go no leaks. Had the takedown in Feb 2016. A few months after started experiencing occasional lower mid back pains. Dr Shen my GI ordered an MRI just to check on things in Sept 2016, everything looked good, no leaks or anything to be concerned about. I still get these pains in my back that last several days and get better, but seem to be very intermittent. I am not very active and never lift anything heavy. I would imagine the MRI would be pretty accurate on finding any kind of sinus,fistula, leak, anything of that nature correct?? I am scheduled for my annual pouchoscopy with Shen in July. Am I panicking again for no reason? its just I have been through so much, and my other leak I had back pains, but that showed on the MRI. If this MRI SHOWED NOTHING SHOULD THAT PUT ME AT EASE?
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If it was anything as far as intestinal leak or something of that nature wouldn't it always hurt constantly? when I sit or stand a certain way it feels a lot better. Hoping its just muscular. What works better if that's the case, heating pad or ice?
If this is random, intermittent type pain, I wouldn't get too worked up about this. Plus, you've had a clear MRI.
Sometimes back pain is just back pain. It is one of the most common symptoms out there. My enteropathic arthritis was not diagnosed until I had over three months of continual low back pain.
Jan 
- Biggest cause of lower back pain is sleeping on your belly apparently... Followed by bad posture. Second time in 2 posts I'm suggesting a chiropractor visit lol
I have never slept on my belly. I always sleep flat on my back. feels a smidge better today but if I sit at my desk too long at work it really tightens up on me when I go to stand up. really hoping it not a pouch issue and its just from being old. I need to get more active and stretch myself out every day.
You could search google images for 'lower back stretches'. Those are the excercises that a chiro would give you and are fairly safe. On back, legs bent, heels flat on floor feet touching my bum, then twist left and right....that's the one that helps me... theres others too though
I had back pain from a leak once - - that was real back pain, so I hear ya.
If your pics come back negative, it could be as simple as strengthening legs and core. I suffered from average-Joe back pain for years until I began doing some lite P90X exercises that conditioned my thighs. Added some core strength....and I was in business. Really raked myself over the coals for not dedicating some time to take those steps earlier.
it appears that my lower back pain is starting to subside a bit. I have been sleeping on a heating pad and trying to stretch out a few times a day. Now if this was a pouch leak causing the pain, would it be constant pain? or can it come and go?
also since I had the MRI in September that showed nothing bad, but I still have back pains on and off since, can I assume the pouch is still ok? I know I hate to assume anything but people have said MRI is not always accurate? or is it in a pouch leak?
Well my back felt good for a week and getting sore again. Wtf. I read they sometimes do MRI for back pains, if I had pelvic MRI to check pouch, would they be able to look for back issues from the same scan?
Anyone?
sometimes back pain is just back pain. Did you try the lower back stretches or have you been to see a chiro? What makes you think its pouch related?
The reason that it tends to worry me is my first jpouch had a leak and I had lower back pain for months before them finding out I had a spinal infection from the leak. That is my worry. But my back has been almost pain free for about 10 days since using a TENS unit. Dr Shen still wants be to get another MRI just to be certain nothing is going on. Once we rule that out then I will see a rheumatologist maybe or just mark it up to back pains and deal with it.
Dont want to nag.... but Just thinking a chiro/physiothepaist/osteopath could probably tell immediately if the pain was likely musco-skeletal. It might save you a bit of worrying (or even money) while you wait for the MRI.
Even if its not musco-skeletal, a visit to the chiro wont do any harm, in fact they recommend regular visits just like a dentist. Chances are it will fix some other issue you didn't even know u had lol
Cipro and related drugs can cause many of us to have muscle and joint pain many of us don't make the link as side effects can be delayed. Just a possibility to consider
Agree with Claire - could be flouroquinolones... or osteoarthritis, or adhesions pinching nerves, or rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, or sinus or infection. But if infection - it would probably be near constant pain. You may have to try some things to see what helps, and if nothing - investigate further. My own back pain issues have led to very limited diagnostic efforts on the part of my docs.
Hi there. I have a lot of lower back pains as well and also had a leak once. But the leak was quite big and I had an emergency operation.
As others recommend I would try physiotherapy or perhaps restorative yoga poses. The latter you can find online. I use Yogaglo and it is good as you can advance.
Do you have a lot of gas? That can cause a lot of tension in the back muscles. You also write that you are not very active... If you look into new knowledge about back pain they now know that lack of activity is a huge cause of precisely lower back problems, so maybe a daily long walk could take away your pain?
I wish you luck. Let us know how it goes. I myself am fighting with pain in both upper legs right now ��
had MRI yesterday and just spoke to nurse, said all looks good. No pouchitis, no fluid collections or leaks.. good news!! very happy. said if the back pains come back to possibly look into a rheumatologist. But now that I know its not pouch related I need to get into excersising and yoga more. thanks everyone for replies and well wishes...
Evening
6 weeks ago I had Pouchitis and severe back pain.Place on cipro n flaggl immediately,Felt better well few weeks back I fell and again back pain.Went to ER told my medical history.Told ER Md about Jpouch and pouchitis .This is his response OH you are so in tuned with your body,No testing handed me just pain pills.DIagnosis could be this could be scatica that I walked out
I prefer my heating pad n drive with ice pack
sad this is a ER Md in NYC
Cassie
Pouchmarx, I hope everything gets better for you. I wish I could help but I don't have that kind of pain
Cassie, I know what you mean about we doctors only giving you pain meds. When I've been in the ER they just give me pain meds or some kind of meds. When I had my temporary ileostomy, the ER staff really didn't know anything about it. I also had an ER doctor ask me how my surgeon was going to reverse my ileostomy. These are the reasons I hate going to the ER and I try to avoid going there.
He the ER Md had no clue to a J pouch ,Thyroid disease except Thyroid disease can be nasty .I was told I was old and too in tune with my body
Last year I obstructed and was in Septic shock told by surgeon any sudden moves it can happen again .Told go straight to ER.So this was the response and medical care i received
Cassie
Update diagnosis with Fx in spine.I Thank an MD at NYU who saw the condition I was in.No Thanks to an ER MD who did not know a thing about anything in my book but rudeness Please Prayer for me to recover soon..Cassie