Did you eat anything red? That can sure confuse things...

Hi, Lassemarco, 

I had gas pains for weeks (months?) after my takedown. I also could not sit down on a chair or cushy sofa without pain in my bottom, and I worried there was a problem with my new pouch. Luckily, the soreness and pain back there went away after a few months. My doctor told me it was the normal swelling where my new pouch was attached to my rectal cuff andnitnwould settled down with time. There will be scar tissue there, it was a major surgery and you're trying to heal now. Remember that the small area back there is now being used to hold in your poop, and to push it out (a bowel movement) when you feel "pressure".  Is it possible that when your pressure is relieved by lying down, it might be because the stool is no longer pressing against down on your rectum. When you stand up or walk around, gravity takes over and stool ends up against the rectum, pressing to get out, so to speak. I hope Scott is right about the possibility your red / brown output is related to something you ate or drank. Raspberries, beets, wine, tomatoes?

Scott F posted:

Did you eat anything red? That can sure confuse things...

Thanks for your reply. I've thought about this. I remember drinking a protein shake with strawberry… Maybe this could cause it? I drank one today as well and I've experienced red output again twice.

Winterberry posted:

Hi, Lassemarco, 

I had gas pains for weeks (months?) after my takedown. I also could not sit down on a chair or cushy sofa without pain in my bottom, and I worried there was a problem with my new pouch. Luckily, the soreness and pain back there went away after a few months. My doctor told me it was the normal swelling where my new pouch was attached to my rectal cuff andnitnwould settled down with time. There will be scar tissue there, it was a major surgery and you're trying to heal now. Remember that the small area back there is now being used to hold in your poop, and to push it out (a bowel movement) when you feel "pressure".  Is it possible that when your pressure is relieved by lying down, it might be because the stool is no longer pressing against down on your rectum. When you stand up or walk around, gravity takes over and stool ends up against the rectum, pressing to get out, so to speak. I hope Scott is right about the possibility your red / brown output is related to something you ate or drank. Raspberries, beets, wine, tomatoes?

Thanks for the detailed replay, Winterberry. I am actually very relieved to hear that you've experienced something similar and that it settled down with time.

Could it possibly already be pouchitis? I saw red output today once again, but only one time. And I go to the bathroom 4-6 times.

Wow, 4 to 6 times is really good for a pouch so young! You are only a month old. In the same timeline, I was going 12 to 15 times in a 24 hour period. It was pouchitis and it was solved with a 14 days' dose of Cipro. Pouchitis usually includes extreme frequency and urgency, and leakage, sometimes constant. See if red shows up again after having non-red food and drinks. It could also be slight irritation of the soft tissue in the rectal / pouch area that is now holding and expelling acidic stool. Maybe have a bidet bottle handy! Your pouch and raw tissues will "toughen up" and mature over time. Are you scheduled yet for your first post-takedown checkup with your surgeon?  Try not to worry; every week will bring new issues. It takes a year or so to reach a state of new normal. Try not to worry unless you are bleeding heavily, feverish, vomiting, painful cramps, and especially not passing gas or stool (blockage). I only had one very very minor blockage that was crampy and ached, and luckily it worked itself out within 24 hours. If it went on longer, I would have gone to the ER fast. You seem to be coming along well. Choosing soluble foods will help too.

Winterberry posted:

Wow, 4 to 6 times is really good for a pouch so young! You are only a month old. In the same timeline, I was going 12 to 15 times in a 24 hour period. It was pouchitis and it was solved with a 14 days' dose of Cipro. Pouchitis usually includes extreme frequency and urgency, and leakage, sometimes constant. See if red shows up again after having non-red food and drinks. It could also be slight irritation of the soft tissue in the rectal / pouch area that is now holding and expelling acidic stool. Maybe have a bidet bottle handy! Your pouch and raw tissues will "toughen up" and mature over time. Are you scheduled yet for your first post-takedown checkup with your surgeon?  Try not to worry; every week will bring new issues. It takes a year or so to reach a state of new normal. Try not to worry unless you are bleeding heavily, feverish, vomiting, painful cramps, and especially not passing gas or stool (blockage). I only had one very very minor blockage that was crampy and ached, and luckily it worked itself out within 24 hours. If it went on longer, I would have gone to the ER fast. You seem to be coming along well. Choosing soluble foods will help too.

Thanks once again for your reply. It is really nice to talk to someone with similar experience. And sorry for my late reply. I'm from Denmark, so I also think there is quite a time difference between us.

I see red every once in a while now, but definitely not every time. Thank you for your words, they are motivational for me. With my ileostomy I went to the bathroom 2-3 times a day. Even though I'm glad to hear that my current situation is good for a pouch so young, I don't think any of this is easy. It is very tough mentally.

I am going to my first appointment with my surgeon next week (1 month after my surgery/takedown). I am looking forward to asking a bunch of questions and also have their opinion on my symptoms/experiences.

Hello Marco. How was your appointment at surgeon? Did the bleeding stop? Or there was any other cause? Im in very similar situation right now. 3 weeks after and three weeks before my appointment at hospital.