But don't doctors do routine procedures to remove hemorrhoids?  Seems like it would be about the same as that.  They seem to think people can heal from that, so why not a tag?  Is it just that your doc thinks that you in particular won't heal?  I have some hemorrhoids that I sometimes think about getting removed.  They get irritated often. 

I thought it was henrhoids but he said no. I think he thinks in general because they bleed so much. Maybe I need to see a new Dr. He retired and came back so he might need to retire again.

I would get a second opinion

What kind of pain are you having, specifically?  Does it feel like you are passing glass or something sharp out of your anus?  sharp, stabbing pains that surprise you and make you cry out? Any spasming in that same area that lasts for a little while after?  Urgency to go?  I'm only asking because I also have a tag that is pretty large - along with quite a lot of scar tissue, and none of that bothers me at all.  But, I do also have a fissure that has been persistent on and off for about 5 years that causes so much pain I'd sometimes rather have my pouch taken out and go back to a stoma.  If it is a fissure, which is a tear in the sphincter muscle, and there are prescription treatments that can help heal that for sure.  I'm sorry that you're going through this.  I know the helpless scared feeling of just continuous pain, and feeling like you'd rather just starve than have to go through it.  If you have a fissure it is kind of imperative you get it treated before it worsens into a fistula. 

What are the prescription treatments that help with fissure healing?  I have one that flares up on occasion and it does take a long time to heal.

I was prescribed Diltiazem 2% ointment for mine, and it has helped immensely.  I will say that absolutely nothing I tried OTC helped with the pain at all.  I finally just stopped eating except for one very small easy meal a day for a week when i started with the prescription.  I'm of the belief that it cant heal if its being used.  So I tried not to use it.  It def sucks.  But there are other medications others have used too.  If you search 'fissure' on this site, you will find so much info.  Maybe your surgeon is not educated as well as he should be about the problems and solutions that we with J-pouch have.  I hope you feel better.

I have every pain that you described.  Sharp, urgency to go. I have never been told that I have a fissure. I'm not even sure that's what it is but sometimes I do ok and the pain is tolerable but alot of the time is hurts like he k feels like a razor blade in there and that my insides are going to come out.

And it can change in an instant

Yes.  I know the pain is unbearable.  I would definitely call him and tell him what you're feeling and have him check it out.  If he will not, I would try to find another doctor.  And there's no harm in trying a prescription for goodness sake if it can help.  He should be wanting to do whatever he can to help.  Sounds like you need to be more insistent with your concerns with him.  And I also understand that it can be an uncomfortable thing to discuss with him, but man...that pain will move you to move mountains at some point!  If you've had it this long, it will not likely go away on its own, and can get much worse.  The goal is to try to manage and prevent all of the symptoms and things that could go wrong here. 

Sounds fissure-esque.  I haven't asked my doctor about meds for a fissure, but I probably could and I'm sure they'd prescribe something.  I haven't had an active one when I have seen them.  Good to know there is a prescription that could help because the ointments I have help some, but the healing is still so slow.

Thank you. I will have to be persistent.  I don't think my Dr knows a whole lot about pouches. I'm not sure any Dr here does but you would think so. I live right outside of Savannah Georgia.

Anal fissures certainly happen with or without a J-pouch. Nitroglycerin ointment is the old standard prescription, but it tends to cause headaches, so diltiazem or nifedipine can be used instead. Sometimes Botox injections are done to force the anal sphincter to relax.

The basic management includes keeping the stool soft by (almost) any means necessary, warm sitz baths, avoiding straining, and trying like heck to let the anal sphincter relax.

Trying like heck to relax the anal sphincter is right!  This takes attention and persistence.  I have been surprised at how difficult it can be.

I think everyone is on the same page. I need to be more aggressive in my life with a pouch considering my Dr's. If I can't get the help that I need from my Dr I will go and find one whi is at least willing to try. Thanks everyone. I will update yall when something changes. I just got a little lazy I guess. I hope I can get some relief.

I can't relax my anal  sphincter is hard when you have leaking issues

Savannah GA!  I love that place.  How was last summer? 

It's always hot and humid! Lol